Napier City Council resignations a sign of trouble - Media Release
July
27, 2022 - Media release
A run of resignations by senior managers from Napier City Council confirms the council has a serious culture and leadership issue, says councillor Nigel Simpson.
In the last six months, three out
of six Executive Leadership Team members have resigned and a third moved
sideways, later resigning. That leaves just two experienced executive managers
from a team of six.
Councillor Simpson is standing
for the Napier mayoralty in the upcoming Council elections, citing a lack of
leadership and effective decision-making.
“It is appalling that the mayor
is continually agreeing to tens of millions of dollars of unbudgeted items and
activities – 14 added to the to-do list just 12 months out from the adoption of
the Long Term Plan - while flip-flopping on projects that were supposed to
proceed. It makes the job of the chief executive and senior managers almost
impossible.
“If new projects have to be
introduced – and I’m not convinced all of these had to be – the mayor should
work with councillors and the Leadership Team on where to reduce spending to
make financial room for them.
“Council’s role is to be
strategically focused, planning many years ahead, not screw with budgets and
priorities on a day-to-day basis. In order for the Leadership Team to be
effective, they have to know which way they are going and when.”
Councillor Simpson said major
issues that had been paralysed by indecision and lack of progress over the past
three years included the war memorial, city library, pensioner housing and
siting of a new public pool.
“We really need to get a handle
on this or we are going nowhere fast or, worse than that, we’re going
backwards. Napier City Council cannot just keep raising rates like they’re
spending someone else’s money. Fiscal responsibility is needed at the Council
table.”
ENDS
Photos supplied
Comments
Post a Comment