Boshier targets workshops

Councils have been told by the Ombudsman to open workshops by default to reduce the perception that decisions are being made behind closed doors.

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier

Peter Boshier’s call echoes concerns The News has had in recent months about Waipā District Council’s regular monthly public excluded workshops where it appeared issues were discussed out of the public eye.

It could see a return to good old fashioned debating in council chambers up and down the country rather than rubber-stamping exercises at short meetings.

Boshier released his Open for Business report on Tuesday.  He investigated eight councils. Waipā was not one of them.

The News has taken issue with Waipā because of the regularity elected members cite information received at workshops when making decisions at public meetings.

Boshier found no evidence that any of the eight councils were making decisions in the workshops but found some workshop practices were counter to the principles of openness and could contribute to a perception that workshops are not being used in the right way.

“I also discovered that a range of council officials and elected members didn’t want to open workshops for a number of reasons including that asking questions could make them look stupid.”

Boshier said protecting councillors was not a valid reason to close the workshop doors.

“Elected members should be resilient enough to withstand reasonable public scrutiny. It is the job they are elected to do.”

See: Open for Business

See: Workshops under review

See: Councillors in workshops

See: Chief Ombudsman calls for council workshops to be open by default

 

 

 

 

More Recent News

Trust’s half century of care

Archbishop Emeritus Sir David Moxon was among around 100 guests who last week celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Metlifecare St Andrew’s in Cambridge. Speaking at the Moxon Centre, the newest building in…

Now it’s… Coke couture

Heidi Caesar was sweating as she stepped out in front of a hyped crowd of senior students, microphone in hand. “I could walk in my underwear and I couldn’t care less, but it’s talking to…

Diwali brings closer ties

The colourful Hindu festival of lights known as Diwali filled the Cambridge Town Hall last week when around 140 people enjoyed an evening of Indian food, dance and culture. The event was organised by Idea…

Clocking up miles for moles

The Lions Cancer Trust Project’s free mobile screening vehicle paid its first visit to the Waikato and King Country this month. The six-tonne melanoma and skin cancer detection vehicle provides people with access to detection…