Council wants to keep remote voting options
A Waikato council wants longstanding rules about physical meetings changed post Covid-19.
It’s thrown up opposing views from councillors across the region about whether democracy will suffer if it’s held online.
A spokesperson for Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the Government may soon consider extending Covid-19 legislation for councils – allowing them to meet entirely remotely – for the next three months.
But Waikato District Council wants the changes to be permanent.
Pre Covid-19, legislation allowed councillors to attend meetings and vote by audiovisual technology as long as at least half the councillors – or a quorum – were physically present.
Waikato district mayor Allan Sanson said he doesn’t want to see empty chambers, rather the occasional option for councillors to attend meetings remotely.
‘‘What we are asking for is that in certain circumstances councillors should be able to vote from home.
‘‘In the past I’ve had staff who are sick but still want to come into the office, and I’ve had councillors doing this, they are very sick but feel it’s still important to be there.’’
Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair Doug Leeder lives in O¯ po¯ tiki, two hours from Tauranga where council meetings are held. He’s estimated driving to meetings would cost him $70 per day.
Instead, Leeder rents accommodation in Tauranga, and stays about three or four nights a week.
The nights he stays on council business are covered by the ratepayer, the rest he covers himself.
The accommodation costs about $150 per night, Leeder said.
Despite the distance and cost, Leeder did not want council meetings to switch online.
‘‘If people stand for local government there’s an expectation you are present.
‘‘Particularly for those decisions where people are putting up objections, it’s important we discuss the issue in person.’’
Hamilton city councillor Sarah Thomson tuned in to Zoom to debate the council’s annual plan, two days after giving birth.
Flexibility to attend meetings remotely might encourage more diversity in local government, Thomson said.
‘‘For councillors who have young kids, having that ability to sometimes go in physically, and sometimes be present digitally, could be really important.’’
She did not think a large physical quorum was necessary for good debate.
‘‘In our experience, members of the public were able to participate through online meetings.’’
Local Government NZ senior policy adviser Mike Reid said LGNZ did not yet have a position on digital quorums. Councils would vote on the issue in August.
‘‘The evidence suggests that there has been considerably more public interest [for digital meetings] than occurs when meetings are held in council offices.’’
But the public might expect local democracy is done in person, Reid said.
‘‘Any permanent use of digital means to achieve a quorum will require legislative action.’’