New council commits to more Twizel meetings
The new Mackenzie District Council’s inaugural meeting locked in a new structure, more frequent meetings, and a commitment to regularly hold meetings in Twizel.
At the start of each term, the mayor is required to choose a decision-making structure.
Three models were proposed – the status quo of a governing body with committees of the whole, a governing body with committees and a governing body acting by itself.
Mayor Anne Munro chose the latter , reducing the number of committees ‘‘because this better suits a smaller council, is less resource intensive and creates clarity in decision-making’’.
The proposal includes provision to set up ‘‘fixed term’’ project working groups with the mayor’s approval, and to hold public forums at the start of every council meeting.
All the models include two committees, a chief executive performance committee and an audit and risk committee, which will again be chaired by Twizel accountant Bruce Mincham.
Previously, the council used a model of ‘‘committees of the whole’’, in which all members were on all committees.
Munro said the new governance model was ‘‘understood . . . to suit small councils well which we are one’’.
‘‘A key benefit is that this approach avoids duplication of decision-making and improves efficiency. To help with potential overload of information at one council meeting we’ll make the council meetings more frequent and hold them every four weeks instead of every six’’.
The new meetings schedule sees full council meetings happening more frequently, on the final Tuesday of each month, bar a break in July.
Munro said every third meeting will be held at the council offices in Twizel, to allow councillors to engage with more of the community.
New deputy mayor, Pukaki ward councillor Karen Morgan, when asked about the role, said her interests lay in ‘‘the environment, tourism and managing sustainable growth for Twizel and the district as a whole’’.
She acknowledged her lack of council experience, but said she had ‘‘a range of skills and commercial experience which will hopefully provide a good foundation for the role’’.
‘‘There is a learning curve to be managed in any new role and I don’t expect council to be any different,’’ she said.
Remuneration was set, with the mayor receiving $88,714, the deputy mayor $36,475, and the six councillors $29,162 each.
Kerry Bellringer was appointed to the Twizel Community Board, joining Tracey Gunn, Tony Hodges, Mary Murdoch and Jan Spriggs.
Matt Murphy was appointed to the Takapō /Tekapo Community Board, joining Sharron Binns, Steve Howes, and Caroll Simcox. Murray Cox was appointed to the Fairlie Community Board, where he will join Damon Smith, Angela Habraken, Kieran Guiney and Holly Lane.