Council criticism ‘disappointing’
A senior Christchurch City Council executive says she only became aware of allegations that staff manipulated reports and deliberately kept negative information secret when she saw a draft of a damning Ombudsman report in August.
The leadership and culture at council was heavily criticised by Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier in the final report released on Thursday.
Boshier wrote in his report council staff had contacted him about concerns over secrecy in the executive team.
‘‘Council staff raised concerns with me about various methods employed by some members of the executive leadership team to keep negative information about the council from the public and/or elected members.
‘‘These methods allegedly included manipulating or removing information from reports, project reporting not occurring, staff being told not to record information or to keep information in draft form.’’
That led to a perception that some executives ‘‘wished to manipulate any messaging about the council that might be negative’’.
Council citizens and community general manager Mary Richardson, who was acting council chief executive from June to October, said she first saw the report in August. The damning allegations were ‘‘disappointing’’, she said.
‘‘Until I saw the report I wasn’t aware it was that bad.’’
Richardson said the report had damaged trust and confidence in the council.
She had never seen any of the practices identified in the report taking place during her time at council.
The new chief executive and executive team were ‘‘committed to making sure we meet the obligations of the legislation and the confidence of the community’’.
‘‘I believe in local government and the principles of local government,’’ Richardson said.
‘‘It is decisions for and by the people. That means we have an obligation to be transparent and open because it is public money and we are there for the public good.’’
The report states former chief executive Karleen Edwards failed to take ‘‘appropriate and adequate action’’ after staff raised concerns.
Edwards could not be reached for comment at any of the three addresses in the Port Hills, Cashmere and Queenstown where she is listed in public records as a partial owner. A man at the Queenstown property said she was travelling to Wellington yesterday.
Richardson said council should be working with the community. She referred to the way the Christchurch community defended council when Auckland businessman Douglas Myers described the city as ‘‘the People’s Republic of Christchurch’’ in 1998.
‘‘I have worked in council before when the community always backed the council.
‘‘That is the type of council we want to be.’’