Despite strong opposition from several of its members the Howick Local Board has voted to open its currently confidential workshops to the public from January 1 next year.
The issue recently came before the board following a recommendation from the Ombudsman for local boards to open their workshops by default to increase transparency.
Before the board voted on the recommendation, its members shared their views.
Member John Spiller said the legislation states there’s no statutory requirement for a non-decision-making workshop to be open.
“I believe if the Ombudsman’s office believes it has just cause to question the way a particular board functions, then it should investigate that … on a case-by-case basis and not recommend blanket operational outcomes for all local boards.”
Board member Adele White also argued against opening workshops to the public.
“There’s a potential of our discussions being shared out of context or misinterpreted by the community before those items have reached the decision-making stage at a business meeting.”
Deputy chairperson Bo Burns said before joining the board she would have supported opening workshops to the public, but now that she understands the process she doesn’t.
“I think being able to have frank and open discussions among the board members … and there’s certain topics particularly that are sensitive or complex that have background information the public wouldn’t know, and they’d only hear in that workshop, and the dialogue won’t be in context.”
Chairperson Damian Light said before he was elected to the board he appreciated being able to attend its meetings in the public gallery “and listen and observe and understand the process and see the workings”.
“I like workshops, I think they’re important, and it’s good we have those free and frank conversations and ask questions and get information.
“But I think knowing that beforehand and having access to that, as a member of the public … it’s a good thing, it’s a positive thing.”
Members Katrina Bungard, David Collings, Bruce Kendall and Light voted in favour of the recommendation, with Burns, Spiller, White and Peter Young voting against it.
With it deadlocked at four votes each, Light used his casting vote to pass the recommendation.
- Disclosure: Howick Local Board deputy chair Bo Burns is the owner of the Times.
