Staffing issues Smooth Hill landfill decision expected next month continue to trouble ORC
THE first order of business for the Otago Regional Council’s interim chief executive has been getting up to speed with relationship issues at the council uncovered in two independent reports, he says.
However, Dr Pim Borren’s first report to councillors, presented at this week’s council meeting, also highlighted significant staffing challenges faced by the council as it grows.
Dr Borren said his first focus upon arrival at the council in June were the relationship difficulties between senior staff and councillors, as well as the working relationship between himself as chief executive and chairman Andrew Noone.
His report noted ‘‘improvements in both of these areas’’.
Dr Borren was brought in as interim chief executive at the council after the departure of former chief executive Sarah Gardner in May.
Subsequently, at the end of June retired High Court Judge Sir Graham Panckhurst issued a report that highlighted problems with transparency and communication at the council.
The relationship between the chief executive and the chairman and councillors was ‘‘unwell, if not broken’’, Sir Graham concluded at the time.
About a month later, in a separate investigation ordered by Environment Minister David Parker, Prof Peter Skelton found key staff at the council were having difficulty doing their jobs because of councillor conduct.
In interviews around the time of Mrs Gardner’s departure, staff told Prof Skelton that councillors were trying to trip up staff, delay decisionmaking and were unwilling to accept staff advice.
Dr Borren’s report to councillors said he had responded to the investigations with the view to learning from them and ‘‘looking forward rather than backward’’.
‘‘While we could draw some conclusions from some of the commentary in each report, I think it is more constructive to reflect on the issues which have required them to be commissioned in the first place,’’ Dr Borren said.
‘‘A better more trusting and respectful relationship where we are all on one page, and acknowledge we all work together for one organisation, is the solution in preventing the need for these types of inquiries.’’
He then went on though to note that there were ‘‘growing pains’’ as the council increased its capacity.
The council was growing from 180 fulltime equivalent (FTE) staff to 330 FTE.
Yet, Dr Borren said he was concerned a 15% staff turnover rate at the council through the last 12 months was too high.
It had made recruiting more staff even more challenging.
He said he was very keen to ensure the council maintained a positive staff culture and that people enjoyed working there.
A further priority for him was to change the public perception of the council, which was something councillors could help with, he said.
‘‘Overall, I am happy with progress’’ Dr Borren said. ‘‘ORC has many very talented people.
‘‘We need to ensure our communities get the opportunity to recognise that too.
‘‘We are working hard on both clearer communications as well as publicising our many good news stories to counter some of the negative press.’’
A DECISION on the Dunedin City Council’s application to build a landfill at Smooth Hill is expected by the middle of next month, the Otago Regional Council says.
Consents manager Joanna Gilroy said yesterday the hearing would close today and the panel would then proceed with its deliberations.
Commissioners needed to issue their decision within 15 working days of the end of the hearing, she said.
The hearing for the city council’s application to build a landfill at Smooth Hill, near Brighton, has been adjourned since the end of May.
However, the council filed its final reply to submissions against its proposal earlier this month.
Ms Gilroy said commissioners subsequently asked one ‘‘administrative’’ question of the applicant.
‘‘No substantive questions were asked of the final reply.’’
During public consultation last year the overwhelming majority of 283 submitters opposed the proposal — two submissions were in support, nine were neutral and 272 opposed.
The regional council then set aside two weeks for the public hearing.
Hawke’s Bay engineer, policy planner and expert commissioner Rob van Voorthuysen acted as chairman on the hearing panel which also included former Wanaka lawyer Jan Caunter and independent planning consultant Rosalind DayCleavin.
Proceedings in May were largely focused on two groups: a group of submitters from Brighton who raised concerns about the city council’s process and the impact a landfill would have on the area, including Brighton Beach; and Dunedin Airport, 4.5km from the proposed site, which raised concerns about the effect that birds attracted to the landfill could have on its operations.
In its reply the city council said it had selected an excellent site south of Dunedin to deal with the waste produced by the city.