Transparency, accountability and decision making based on democratic principles

Today, we have sent the following email to the Mayor, Chief Executive and all Councillors of the Tasman District Council.

The Tasman District Council is by now known for their controversial approach to people living in mobile homes, caravans, trailers, house busses or other vehicles. One of the earliest stories is that of an intentional community in the Motueka Valley which ended up in the Environment Court and later in the District Court.

The Tasman District Council has just recently had their hearing with the Local Government Commission in respect of their representation review proposal. A representation review is mandatory for councils every six years. Councils are required to assess whether their current representation is fair and effective. This relates primarily to how the council is organised in terms of its ward boundaries, whether these wards respect current communities of interest, how many councillors are to be standing for each ward and whether or not to have community boards.

During the last Motueka Community Board meeting there was a discussion about workshops and that they are held behind closed doors. Board member Hutt shared the view that she “felt more comfortable if it [a workshop] was held in a private settings”. Because in workshops behind closed doors she could speak freely.

I guess, everybody knows what persistence is. Children want their ice creams, a dog or whatever it may be. They will remind us vigorously about the fact that they really want this or that, that we had promised to go to the pools, get the dog, but not kept to the promise. They may have done their share of the bargain or not.

There seems to be certain pattern of persistence when it comes to Council decisions.