Some Gore district councillors boycotted mayor Ben Bell’s retreat for elected members, one other left, and the council says it doesn’t know what the ultimate value of the two-day assembly shall be.
But some councillors who attended mentioned it was a very good assembly, and there was some ‘’good, strong debate.’’
The retreat, which was held on Sunday and Monday, was held in Cromwell and was organised by Bell’s personal government assistant, Shanna Crosbie.
Councillors Bret Highsted, Neville Phillips and Cr Bronwyn Reid didn’t attend the retreat, and Richard McPhail left earlier than it started.
Kavinda Herath/Stuff
Gore district councillors Bret Highsted, proper, and Neville Phillips boycotted a retreat held by mayor Ben Bell.
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Highsted mentioned Bell had campaigned on getting again to fundamentals and it was ‘’disrespectful to the group, ratepayers, enterprise individuals and the Mataura Licencing Trust to carry a retreat outdoors the district.’’
The council had held a retreat in Te Anau a few years in the past and had been criticised for it, he mentioned.
Phillips mentioned he had nonetheless not seen the agenda for the retreat.
“This was meant to be a year when we consolidated our spending and only spent what was necessary. Why spend money on going to Cromwell when we have perfectly good facilities in our own district?’’
Cr Richard McPhail travelled to Cromwell but did not stay.
Kavinda Kerath/Stuff
Gore district councillor Richard McPhail left the retreat before it started. (File photo)
“Prior to the commencement of the retreat I spoke to the mayor and a couple of the councillors and indicated that due to professionalism, trust and integrity, that I would not attend,’’ he said.
He said he meant no disrespect to the mayor by not attending, but would not elaborate further on what led to him making that decision.
Cr Glenys Dickson said she travelled to the venue both days instead of staying overnight.
“I actually think it is our responsibility as community representatives to go to the new mayor’s retreat and find out the strategy for the next three years, and it’s a shame other councillors did not attend,’’ she said.
“It could have been a good team building experience.’’
Kavinda Kerath/Stuff
Gore District deputy Mayor Cr Stewart MacDonell.
Deputy mayor Stewart MacDonell said there was ‘’good robust discussion’’ amongst councillors who attended.
With regard to the retreat being held in Cromwell, he said councillors were told that when Bell tried to book at Gore’s Croydon Lodge nothing was available.
Crosbie said council staff knew she was organising the retreat, and she was not given a budget.
“Ben’s plan was to go out of town to have a bonding experience with the councillors, stay the night, and get to know each other. He paid for dinner out, because he hasn’t got a council credit card yet,’’ she said.
She and Bell had started organising the retreat before former mayor Tracy Hicks announced he was applying for a recount, she said.
Kavinda Herath/Stuff
Gore mayor Ben Bell and his executive assistant Shanna Crosbie have a meeting in her kitchen. (File photo)
There were four guest speakers and an MC, but she said she did not know what they charged.
She had also asked the council to purchase a small gift of thanks for each of the guest speakers.
The guest speakers were Terry Nicholas from the Hokonui Rūnanga, who attended via zoom; Central Otago District Council mayor Tim Cadogan; Future Whenua Initiative chief technology officer Rob Swatton, and First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson. Ross Allen, of Queenstown, who is founder/chief strategist of Leverage, was the MC.
All invoices for their services, all accommodation, the venue, catering and stationary were sent to the council, she said.
Cameron Burnell/Stuff
First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson was a guest speaker at a Gore District Council retreat.
Council chief executive Stephen Parry said the council had not received all invoices and expense claims to date, but it would cover all ‘’reasonable costs.’’
“I can confirm that food, accommodation and function room hire costs at the Harvest Hotel, in Cromwell, totalled $3,778.50.’’
The venue was booked by Crosbie and council staff had no involvement in booking the venue, he said.
“The council was advised in an email on November 3 that the mayor had his PA Shanna Crosbie working on the retreat. In the email, the mayor asked that staff not book anything without his say so. At no point did Shanna contact staff about a budget or provide any financial information such as quotes from guest speakers.’’
Supplied
Gore District Council chief executive Stephen Parry
The council’s senior management team of six staff attended on Monday and gave presentations to the councillors present, he said.
Parry confirmed seven councillors and the mayor attended the retreat, and not all stayed overnight.
Bell – New Zealand’s youngest mayor – is on leave and has not responded to attempts to contact him, but on Friday, Parry moved to clarify his leave.
Kavinda Kerath/Stuff
Gore district Mayor Ben Bell chaired his first council meeting on Tuesday. The council said he went on leave on Wednesday. (File photo)
“In an email on Wednesday, titled Mayoral Absence, the mayor said “I have been on the go constantly since being sworn in” and “I have decided to take some time for the rest of the week.”
He suggested senior workers and councillors he could be answering emails and doing a little work, and may very well be contacted by telephone. The e-mail mentioned the deputy mayor could be “his man on the ground” and may be contacted if there have been any points,’’ Parry mentioned.
On Tuesday, the council voted to not make use of a private assistant for Bell. Crosbie mentioned on Friday she was nonetheless working for him in a voluntary capability to assist him out.
“To be trustworthy the council by no means employed me, individuals assume I’ve been paid however I by no means have.
“Ben is an efficient good friend and he lives subsequent door to me, I’m simply serving to him out.’’
Councillors boycott Gore mayor Ben Bell’s Cromwell retreat
Councillors boycott Gore mayor Ben Bell’s Cromwell retreat
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Councillors boycott Gore mayor Ben Bell’s Cromwell retreat