I find it somewhat frustrating that much of the reporting on the new council structure will focus on councillor’s remuneration, but I guess given the modern political environment of expense scandal after expense scandal, we should hardly be surprised. Johny has already done a pretty thorough walk through of some of the issues there.
Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the Dom Post report though, is that Celia, like Len Brown, is opting for a far more inclusive style of governance, with each councillor holding at least one portfolio.
We can’t emphasise how much of a seachange this will be for the council. Kerry managed the numbers on council by offering key positions to not only her mates, but also crucial swing votes. This also meant that several councillors were effectively sidelined, with Pepperell, Cook and Ritchie getting little more than the crumbs.
There will be people out there that think these councillors should be sidelined. But Celia’s approach will mean bringing them into the tent and working with them.
Only time will tell if the strategy works, both politically for Celia, and in terms of good policy outcomes for the council. The hand wringing lefties will probably love Celia’s extreme form of inclusive leadership, but let’s see how they feel when people like Pepperell are given real power to exercise…
PS: I also don’t subscribe to any conspiracy theories about the non-release of the draft structure – it’s going to be a massive job for Celia to get jobs for everyone, that they agree to. The negotiations are going to be delicate and no doubt she will have learnt some lessons from the Foster/McKinnon deputy scramble.
WCC Watch 