West Coast Regional Council’s $165k severance bill
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) made severance payments totalling $165,416, its annual report reveals.
The draft report states the payment was made to one employee, but chair Peter Haddock said on Tuesday that was an error and there were two staff paid out in that period.
One was former chief executive, Heather Mabin (pictured), who negotiated a settlement with the council.
She left the council in June 2023, after completing her contract.
In the previous year, the WCRC paid out $258,645 in a severance settlement, which LDR understands was made to one female employee.
The council’s draft annual report will be out on time this year – unlike its 2022 effort, an achievement chief executive Darryl Lew said was down to the fact that the council now had a full muster of well-qualified finance staff.
However, the council’s annual rate strike has been delayed.
The rates were to be struck at its monthly meeting yesterday, but chairperson Peter Haddock said he had taken the item off the agenda because he was not sure the figures were water-tight.
The council has 23 special rating districts, based on river catchments from Haast to Westport, and each district must decide on a works programme and what landowners are willing to pay for in a given year.
“Last year we had a rate strike and it was incorrect, and we had to retract and it was chaos for three months. Grey District have just done a rate strike and it was incorrect and they’ve had to change it.
“I want to be crystal clear that ours is correct,” Haddock said.
He and council staff had been working away on the rating district figures right up until the night before the meeting, he said.
“I said, 'I still don’t think we’ve got it right' – I’m going to delay it for a couple of weeks because we don’t actually have to set rates until September.
The council has adopted a new 10-year-plan that sets out rate increases of 27% this year, 12 percent next year, and increases of about 7% in subsequent years.
Haddock said on Tuesday the increases were significant but the council had been keeping the rates unrealistically low in previous years and was now in catch-up mode.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.7% No
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2.3% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
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