Goff: Auckland councillors must vie for CCO board selection

Monday, 7 November 2016

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff wants councillors to compete in a 'transparent and competitive' AT application process open to non council candidates.

Councillors will have to prove they're worth a $50,000 directors salary if Auckland's Mayor has his way.

Phil Goff wants council's Governing Body to debate a raft of proposals changing oversight of Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) on Thursday.

Auckland Council CCO's including Auckland Transport have attracted criticism over several key decisions.

Goff wants new rules including modifying CCOs' statements of intent to 'better meet council objectives', council to undertake a comprehensive review of accountability policies, develop 'fresh, comprehensive letters of expectation for all CCOs' and 'strengthen council committees' ability to scrutinise CCOs'.

Auckland's Mayor said, 'strengthening the oversight of the CCOs, including Auckland Transport [AT], will result in solutions that are better aligned to the outcomes Aucklanders want.

**READ MORE:

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'That includes easing congestion on our roads, the development of an effective and efficient public transport system and the protection and enhancement of our natural environment and communities as we bring large infrastructure projects online.'

Until November, two Auckland councillors Christine Fletcher and Mike Lee sat on CCO AT's eight member board before Goff announced an indefinite suspension of their directorships.

Several controversial CCO decisions made without consulting Auckland Council including AT's light rail preference and Ports of Auckland's decision to extend a wharf into Auckland harbour where met with public anger.

Critics of Auckland councillors involved with CCO boards said those councillors suffered a conflict of interest having to maintain CCO secrecy while being answerable to Aucklanders as elected officials.

Goff said appointing councillors to AT's board of directors had 'not been effective in achieving adequate accountability or responsiveness from AT'.

Those wanting councillors Fletcher and Lee to stay on AT's board said they brought a wealth of experience to the boards and helped shape its policy for the better of Aucklanders.

Now Goff wants councillors to take part in a 'transparent and competitive [board] application process that is also open to external candidates'.