Independent review into Wellington City Council to cost up to almost $75,000

Friday, 26 February 2021

The independent review called for by mayor Andy Foster into Wellington City Council’s governance will cost up to $74,750. (File photo)

The review into Wellington City Council’s governance ordered by Mayor Andy Foster will cost ratepayers almost $75,000.

Council chief executive Barbara McKerrow provided the information to councillor Jill Day in an internal email on Friday afternoon.

“The review will be funded from operational budgets,” McKerrow said.

“The reviewer has indicated that the cost is likely to be in the vicinity of $55,000 to $65,000 plus GST, which is within my delegation.”

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Foster called for the review following a sustained period of 'rancour and partisanship' among some councillors.

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GST is 15 per cent, meaning the review could cost up to $74,750.

McKerrow was responding to a request from Day for Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) to commission or complete the review, rather than someone appointed by Foster.

Day claimed it was the responsibility of all councillors to set terms of reference for any review of the council’s governance, not Foster’s.

However, McKerrow said while it was the delegation of councillors to review, develop and recommend policy in relation to governance reviews, it was not within their delegation to initiate a review.

Foster announced on Wednesday that he was calling for an independent review into the council’s governance, and that he would be setting the terms of reference and appointing the reviewer.

He has since refused numerous requests from Stuff to talk about any aspect of the review.

A representative from his office said on Friday morning Foster would be making no further comment.

Foster announced in a statement on Thursday afternoon he had appointed former LGNZ and Auckland Regional Council chief executive Peter Winder to undertake the review.