WELLINGTON’S new council is already changing the way the city operates.
New Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown has begun instigating one of the platforms she stood on – more inclusivity and better communication in the council – by offering up December 1 as a day for organisations to meet the mayor and talk about their aspirations.
And councillor Andy Foster has followed suit by instigating a review of delegation under the district plan, with a view to looking at Wellington City Council’s expenditure and resource management.
He gives two examples of high profile projects that were not notified, but he feels should have been: the Wellywood sign by the airport and the proposal – which has since been stymied by Greater Wellington Regional Council – to put a car storage yard in Grenada North, despite the city council giving it the nod.
He’s not advocating notification of more projects, but rather those in power using some discretion when choosing what to notify and what not to.
Deputy mayor Ian McKinnon feels that, even if there’s nothing to change, reviews of systems are always worthwhile.
“Society doesn’t stand still, and nor should the organisations that lead the society. Organisations, in my view – and I’ve had the privilege of running some large organisations – should always review all their processes and systems. Nothing’s static in any organisation. A review doesn’t necessarily mean that there are shortcomings.”
Councillor Iona Pannett, who actively campaigned to get Wade-Brown elected and stood on a similar platform of inclusivity, feels that it’s especially pertinent for a new mayor to get all views before policies are set down and decisions made.
“One of the things that we get feedback on is that the council doesn’t listen. It’s difficult when there are such strong disagreements about issues like transport and the waterfront, but we just have to work through those things and get a consensus rather than just relying on majority votes, which is how things often get passed in the council but is not necessarily the best way.”
But Foster says it will be a chance for people to not just be heard, but listen. He says, especially given that council – and homeowners – are going to be given a hefty bill for the leaky homes fiasco, there is a lot of competition for resources.
“We want to improve the dialogue between the council and the residential and business community, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll be able to go: Yes, we hear what you say and then go away and do it.”