Summary
REVELATIONS that former Horizons Regional Council chief executive Peter Davies did not leave willingly last April, despite initial appearances to the contrary, are further evidence of flaws in our system of local government. Some councillors do not understand what governance means under local government law, disputes arise and ratepayers bear the cost. The dust has just settled in Rangitikei at a cost of about $200,000. Now the dust has been stirred at Horizons, and already the cost is about $300,000, or $3 per ratepayer. There have been numerous similar examples throughout the country.
Mr Davies has now called for the confidential agreement he reached with Horizons earlier this year to be made public in the wake of growing concern about his exit and ongoing costs. And so it should be, so that ratepayers in the sprawling council's area can judge the competence of their elected representatives, most of whom will no doubt be seeking public support at local body elections in a few months. Former MP, Wanganui mayoral hopeful and broadcaster Michael Laws has made the issue his cause celebre. Ratepayers have cause to be concerned. At best they have been misled over Mr Davies' exit. At worst they may be paying expensively for the council's failure to be fair and to follow due process.See the full content of this document
Extract
Regional Ratepayers Deserve Answers
The reasons for Mr Davies' exit are far from clear and some confidentiality invariably surrounds such disagr...
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