Calls for complaints process

INVERCARGILL city councillors are seeking a renewed national process for how local government is able to handle internal complaints.

The draft remit, presented by Cr Alex Crackett during yesterday’s council meeting, ‘‘requests an investigation into the creation of an LGNZ [Local Government New Zealand] independent national process to handle complaints, ensuring fairness, protection and accountability in local government’’.

It noted recent events in the Gore District Council, Invercargill City Council’s Department of Internal Affairs investigation, allegations of sexism, sexual harassment, general relationship breakdowns and lastterm issues in Tauranga, Wellington and Dunedin for context.

The background of the remit states there is an absence of a national standardised and independent process for handling complaints and escalating issues, and councils are currently handling their own problems on an adhoc basis, leaving many unanswered and individuals hesitant to come forward.

Cr Cracket said she was proud of the council for bringing the remit to the table in advance of the LGNZ AGM.

‘‘It’s really clear for Invercargill City Council that we’re all committed to helping to assist the entire national network raise standards of behaviour.

‘‘It’s not just a reflection on us or historical items, it’s actually protecting and safeguarding young elected members, and all elected members, across the network for future purpose.’’

Often LGNZ became aware of issues only when they escalated out of control, she said.

‘‘We’ve seen that very recently, just up the road here, from our neighbours, and that actually ends up discrediting local democracy as a whole.’’

‘‘Having this triage system here that can intercept some of these things before they escalate to that point I think will really benefit local democracy across the motu.’’

Cr Alan Arnold said he was personally not a fan of LGNZ and was concerned about who may be appointed to deal with issues.

‘‘In a situation if you used a body from the LGNZ who are remote from here, they wouldn’t have any idea who the people involved were.’’

‘‘I don’t really see the requirement for this when we already have a process in place.’’

Cr Lesley Soper said the remit was exactly the sort of independent nationwide process many councillors hoped would have been in place two years ago.

‘‘To me, this is a catchbeforecrisis triage . . . I think it’s a real step in LGNZ having a chance to really improve outcomes for our sector.’’