Environment Canterbury Council in exile

The dismissed Canterbury regional councillors have been asked to reconvene, as a publicly-mandated but unofficial 'council in exile'.

With their last day of office this Friday 30th April, the ECan Council has been invited to gather then, in front of the Christchurch ECan building at 12pm.

Cr Rik Tindall, a representative for Christchurch East, has called the informal, open-air meeting and invited the public to attend.

"Consultation is what we are about, and more group decisions are needed now," Tindall explained. "What happens next for us should be guided by Canterbury voters, who have just had their electoral choice denied by Government."

Submissions on ECan's draft annual plan close on the 30th too, and forms will be available at the meeting with assistance for filling them out.

"This is the last organised occasion at which councillors can confer with rate-payers, so please bring all your questions along," Tindall said. "This day sees the end of our formal service to Canterbury, so please advise what informal contributions you may like from us, for the community future ahead."

Cr Tindall sees a need for farewells and closure for the current Council.

"Whoever attends can help make the decision of whether we should continue as a volunteer 'council in exile' with a watchdog role," Tindall said.

Informal continuity would benefit all parties, "while the new commission decides what formal use it might make of extensive constituency links and knowledge," in Tindall's opinion.

"For example, as the regional council's civil defence and emergency management portfolio chair, I am very aware of the strengths and weaknesses in our current preparedness for earthquake and tsunami events," Tindall explained. "Channelling that experience into more beneficial outcomes is high in the public interest this year, as the problems are complex."

"Pest control, biodiversity, coastal environment and hazard management are other such areas where much work and expertise, from previous council years, could too easily now be wasted," Tindall said. "We should offer our functional roles back to the community, and request a steer on how to add further value next."

"Councillors look forward to meeting the incoming commission soon," Tindall concluded.

The Environment Canterbury commission will be Gazetted on May 1st.

ENDS

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