31 January 2002

CLOSED WORKSHOP ON DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN

Hutt City Council will tonight (Thursday 31 January) hold a closed workshop to enable Councillors to be briefed on a very preliminary version of the Draft Annual Plan (DAP).

Hutt City Council Mayor John Terris said the workshop was being held to allow chief executive Rik Hart and senior managers to brief councillors on the Draft Annual Plan in an environment of free and frank discussion.

"There should be no suggestion that we are making any decisions in secret or behind closed doors.

"The workshop is an opportunity for councillors to put questions to council officers without being tempted to grandstand or engage in point scoring - unfortunately something that tends to happen when some have an audience," said Mayor Terris.

Hutt City Council is the only local authority in the Wellington region that routinely admits the public and media to workshops.

"The approach taken by Rik Hart in this DAP differs in presentation from previous annual plans and reflects his priority on developing sustainable economic development policies that will ensure Hutt City continues to be a great place to live."

"There will be plenty of opportunity for public debate on what the Plan contains, my wish is that that debate is as informed and constructive as possible."

The DAP sets out Council's spending over the next financial year and includes $4.1 million for new capital spending.

The Local Government Act (LGA) states that every local authority shall hold such meetings as are necessary for the good government of its district. The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act sets out the requirements and procedures in relation to any Council or Council committee meeting, including the requirements regarding admission of the public. Workshops fall within the ambit of section 45(2) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, which states that any meeting of the local authority at which no resolutions or decisions are made [italics added] is not a meeting for the purposes of Part VII of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.

Note to editors: Public consultation process on the Annual Plan (all open to the public)

13-14 March Two day Council session where DAP is formulated and approved 11 April-17 May Public consultation 5-6 June Hearings where members of the public can speak to submissions 19-20 June Council formulates and approves Annual Plan

ENDS For further information please contact: Name: Kirk MacGibbon Position: Communications Manager Hutt City Council DDI: 04-570 6940 Email: kirk.macgibbon@huttcity.govt.nz

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