I hereby give notice that, pursuant to the provisions of section 692P of the Local Government Act 1974, Mr Michael Gross, company director of Kerikeri, and Mr Alan Bickers, consultant of Tauranga, have been appointed to be the review authority to undertake a review of the Rodney District Council.
Matters to be Reviewed
The review authority is to investigate:
· whether the conduct of the council is being undertaken in accordance with the requirements of section 223C of the Local Government Act;
· whether the conduct of, and working relationships of, elected members at council and committee meetings is appropriate and whether Standing Orders are being effectively applied;
· whether procedures are in place, and applied, which set out protocols for the interaction between elected members, the general manager and staff;
· whether elected members' relationships with the general manager and senior officers reflect an understanding of, and adherence to, the distinction between their governance role and the statutory obligations of the general manager under section 119D of the Local Government Act, and whether council processes and deliberations are impacting adversely on these responsibilities being undertaken;
· the extent to which the council as the employer is operating a personnel policy in relation to the general manager that complies with the principle of being a good employer as required by section 119F of the Local Government Act;
· and identify any areas of risk in the council that may prevent the council exercising its functions, duties and powers in an efficient and effective manner, with particular regard being given to the council's annual planning process under section 223D of the Local Government Act and the financial management of the council's funding policy, long term financial strategy and borrowing management policy under Part VIIA of the Act; and
· whether a committee structure within the council would be appropriate to enable quality decision making, public access and delegation;
and make recommendations to the Minister of Local Government as to how the council should act to overcome any deficiencies identified. Such recommendations should focus on ways to overcome those deficiencies within the existing governance structure; but, if necessary, the review authority has recourse to recommending the appointment of a commission under section 692W of the Local Government Act 1974.
Review Authority's Report
The review authority is to report to the Minister of Local Government by 3 March 2000 with its findings and recommendations.
Dated this 17th day of December 1999.
SANDRA LEE, Minister of Local Government.