Councillors in control

Auckland Mayoral candidate David Hay has announced a proposal to reform and re-focus the Auckland mayoral office.

"I note there has been some disquiet and frustration among councillors about the council's policy agenda, and this week the NZ Herald challenged Phil Goff to do something about it." said Mr Hay (link to Herald Editorial).

"I already had a plan for this in the pipeline. I am releasing it this morning in response to the Herald's challenge” said Mr Hay.

"Before the supercity amalgamation, I was a Senior Analyst in the Strategy and Policy Unit at Manukau City Council. One of my duties was to produce a quarterly report on the whole-of-council strategy and policy work programme.”

“I am sure that Len Brown and the ex-Manukau City councillors (Anae, Filipaina, Quax, Stewart, Walker) will remember those reports, which were presented publicly to the Performance and Accountability Committee.”

"My plan for Auckland Council has three parts:

"1. A Council Business Committee will be created, comprising the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, chairs of all council committees, Local Board chairs and a representative of the Independent Maori Statutory Board. This committee will oversee the whole-of-council policy work programme.

"2. Quarterly Progress Reports will delivered to the business committee and made publicly available, so councillors and citizens can see the full scope of policy and decision-making work being undertaken by council and across the wider family of council-controlled organisations.

"3. The Mayoral Office will provide secretariat services to the committee including monitoring and reporting on the work programme.

"It is essential that the Mayor take responsibility for driving forward a policy agenda that is agreed and supported by the councillors" said Mr Hay. "I also think this would be a very good use of the funding provided for the Mayoral Office."

The proposal released today is part of a set of proposals focused on core council operations, which are available on Mr Hay’s campaign website at www.heydavidhay.nz

ends

© Scoop Media