Bob must stop making major decisions behind closed doors without Council or public consultation.

Mayoral candidate Jim Anderton and Councillors’ Chrissie Williams and Yani Johanson have called on Bob Parker to immediately stop making major decisions unilaterally without the support, backing or vote of the democratically elected Council.

Today Bob Parker, without the support of his Council, has appointed an ‘architectural ambassador’ who will head the team to help rebuild Christchurch.

"Whether or not this is the right team to lead the architectural revitalisation is immaterial. Bob Parker needs to pause and reflect. Bob is shutting out the people's voice. Poor process and excluding the people is not the way to rebuild our city. Bob may have emergency powers but this in not an emergency decision”, Jim Anderton said.

"The lesson of the past three years is that when decisions are made in secret, behind closed doors and in haste, things go wrong. That is how Bob made the decision to bail out Dave Henderson to the tune of $17 million and illegally increased rents on pensioner housing by 24%", Jim Anderton said.

Chrissie Williams and Yani Johanson have expressed their frustration at hearing this decision at another Bob Parker media conference.

"I was elected to represent the views of the people and I am being shut out", Councillor Johanson said.

"We are offering to meet on a daily basis if necessary but these decisions must be democratic decisions. There is nothing more important than the rebuilding of Christchurch and it is vital that we get it right”, Councillor Williams said

ENDS

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