Where Next With The Len Brown Saga

Written by Ben Ross - Talking Auckland

Attempt with City Building Phase Part Two

 

And so yesterday the current chapter on the Len Brown Saga came to a close. From 10am to 1pm when the final vote was taken on Resolutions A-F the Governing Body which was chaired by the Deputy Mayor went backwards and forwards nitpicking over some of the most trivial crap I have seen outside of Parliament down in Wellington.

We also had heckling in the public gallery which in all honesty I was expecting to be cleared out more than once. Especially with anarchist Penny Bright in there who has not paid her rates in over five years…

I ran the commentary live via my Facebook and Twitter accounts. However, I did get sent to Twitter Jail between 11:30am and 12:30pm as I had sent over 250 Tweets in 90 minutes (one every 30 seconds apparently). Twitter thought I was spamming to which some followers might think I was while others were happy to get the coverage as it was where ever they were in New Zealand. Thankfully I was released from Twitter jail in time for the vote which occurred on the numbers as widely as expected.

The Herald has the six main resolutions which all passed yesterday. The No Confidence Motion failed to get off the ground yesterday as it had (and as expected as well) failed the Standing Orders test. Quite ironic Councillor Dick Quax is a stickler for Standing Orders when it suits him yet his own motion failed the Standing Orders test for which he should have properly researched prior…

These were the Resolutions and the voting patterns:

From NZ Herald

What the councillors voted on

That the Governing Body

A. Received the Independent Review commissioned by the Chief Executive – the EY report

B. Express its profound disappointment and disapproval of the Mayor’s inappropriate conduct and undeclared conflicts of interest, which are the subject of the report and which have caused damaged to Auckland Council‘s reputation and widespread concern amongst the public.

C. Accordingly, censure the Mayor for his behaviour, that in the view of the Governing Body, breached the council’s Code of Conduct.

D. Request that the Mayor make full reimbursement of all remaining personal costs and also make an appropriate contribution to other costs incurred by the Council.

E. Require a stronger working relationship and level of accountability between the Mayor and Governing Body.

F. Note the Mayor’s apology and expression of contrition for his actions; and mindful of the importance of maintaining political stability and confidence in the governance of Auckland, signals its willingness to work with the Mayor in the best interest of the people of Auckland.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11175453

Voting Pattern:

  • Resolutions A-E: Passed Unanimously
  • Resolution F: Passed 15-5 with Brewer, Quax, Stewart, Cooper and Krum (the oppositional 5) voting against ‘F’ 

After the vote the Mayor returned for his short Right of Reply before resuming the Chair position from the Deputy Mayor and the main Governing Body business continued (Sky Path, Living Wage and Draft Annual Plan).

In layman terms the Mayor got a dressing down, a written warning, a fine, and had to give an apology. All as would be expected and seen in the Corporate world.

 

Quote of the Day:

To show how much dissatisfaction there is against the Opposition Five (Brewer, Quax, Stewart, Cooper and Krum) yesterday I am going to quote Councillor Fletcher’s brilliant quote that made everyone’s jaws drop in the public gallery:

Chris Fletcher: Am I angry? You bet I’m angry. I don’t think he is going to last. I think his brand is tarnished. I’m really, really disappointed in some councillors who have not wanted to do anything but polarise this very difficult situation. I’m going to say to councillor Brewer, who has orchestrated much of the misinformation on this issue, I’m going to buy you a tutu and a some ballet slippers for Christmas.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11175458

What Fletcher’s comment shows and the revelations Councillor Brewer (and Quax (when that comes out)) had not declared their own interests and gifts (see: Cameron Brewer admits not declaring Gold Coast junket Note: see bottom post for update on Councillor Brewer) is the actual dysfunction on the Centre Right rather than the progressive side of the Council.

 

Owing further with Councillor Quax’s flawed interview on Radio NZ this morning I could say the Oppositional Five are technically mortally wounded – more so than the mayor.

“He without Sin can cast the first stone” is being trotted out this morning and seems to ring rather true after Brewer got snapped this morning. Or Glass Houses and Stones is another analogy coming out this morning as well

I would expect the Councillors to know better and it seems the Opposition Five do not (while being opposite for the Progressive (who are both Left and Right) Councillors)…

 

Final Remarks and a Question

The question has to be asked as we enter the City Building Phase again. Can City Building continue if we lose Len or he is isolated and in effect our Deputy Mayor takes over the reins for whatever period. This question can be asked because no one is immortal and Len could have suffered a debilitating health shock.

I look at the Congestion Free Network from Generation Zero and Transport Blog, and I look at Manukau (my own project) and ponder would these continue in a change in leadership at the top. The answer to that question is Yes both projects would continue if for example Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse took over for what ever reason.  Meaning we have a peaceful transition that would not affect the City in any major way.

What I am pondering through is something that has been in the back of my mind since the entire saga broke just after the recent elections. There is always a case when a mayor is in trouble as Len was, the Council could be destabilised to a point nothing gets done. We were lucky on a 15-5 count (although with the Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre project it would be 16-4 as one of the Councillors were quite interested and supportive of the SMC) Council is willing to go forward – so no destabilisation should be apparent despite anger at the mayor (and rightfully).

However, the opposite could have very easily occurred in the Len Brown saga and the Council becomes destabilised. As a natural progression of events without Government Intervention (sacking the Council) the Governing Body as they have in Toronto would have rallied naturally behind the Deputy Mayor in the interim period. This rallying behind a Deputy would have been in attempts to re-stabilise Council in order for it to go forward. Again Toronto is showing Auckland the effects of rallying behind a Deputy Mayor in order to re-stabilise a city to go forward. For the most part Toronto seems to be doing well and will hobble to its elections late next year.

Thus while my support and confidence in Len remains negative (it can go back to neutral in given time and even positive if something special is pulled)(for Brewer and Quax after those stunts it would be non-existent in any form) I had to ask myself what are the alternatives if Council did face destabilisation. The answer was to ensure a peaceful transition rally behind Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse. Okay and putting my own interests out there for honesty and transparency it would in benefit for Manukau (and the Congestion Free Network as a supporter) to have a stable Council and rally behind a leader that would ensure that stability. Given the situation up until yesterday when I asked the Question (to myself) I rallied behind the Deputy Mayor in the sake of stability. Now that the 15-5 vote has occurred (so absolute majority) I continue to rally behind Penny (remember personal confidence in Len is still negative at the moment) but I will also “follow” Resolution F and also move forward with the Mayor (who yes I voted for and would still vote if all this came out before the elections long before I voted Palino) to continue City Building.

BUT and this is a big BUT, the next move now falls to the Mayor on how he proceeds with Resolution F. I am showing compassion (like a good Christian (something my “comrades” need to learn rather than racing for pitch forks)) towards the Mayor and am interested in going forward to carry on the City Building Phase. If Len can work through ‘F’ and we can get cracking with City Building then I am happy (this is as Penny said “Give Len a Chance (in redemption I believe)”. However, if Len cocks up again and fails ‘F’ for whatever ever reason then not be amused is me being polite. That said yes Len is still Mayor and one I voted for (and give compassion to) but I will continue to stand behind our Deputy Mayor as a rally point to make sure that the City does continue forward.

Because our two most mature and level-headed politicians yesterday were our women Councillors particularly our more senior women Councillors. Deputy Mayor Hulse and Councillor Fletcher were rightfully pissed at the Mayor for what he pulled and what he put the City through. But rather than racing for pitch forks our two Civic Leaders showed maturity and level headedness in the final prosecution of the Len Brown Saga. Praise and Credit to Christine and Penny for really steering the Governing Body through its most trying time yesterday. And to bring a smile once the Len saga was dealt with it was back to Berms, Unitary Plans and Finances – the classics 🙂

And so the Len Brown Saga should now be coming to a close. In earnest focus is back onto City Building while I have a Unitary Plan submission to write. At the same time over the Summer Break I better get the Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre project drawn up fully ready for the site visit and workshop early next year as well.

 

One thing is for sure while an eye is being kept on the Mayor, I am at least pleased this chapter can be sealed shut and more pressing matters can be resumed.

 

Update on Councillor Cameron Brewer’s Gold Coast Trip.

 

A Press Statement from Councillor Cameron Brewer owing to The Herald article on his Gold Coast Trip:

Shock development in declarations saga!

Media release – Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer – Sunday, 22 December 2013:

Council today confirms Brewer’s trip was in gift register all along!! Auckland Council Electoral Officer and Public Information Officer Bruce Thomas has confirmed with Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer today that while he did not file a full “Register of Members’ Interests” annual statement by 30 June 2012, Brewer’s much criticised four-day sponsored trip to Australia was in fact declared by the Councillor for Orakei at the time and was subsequently in the Council gift register all along.

In a surprise turn, Mr Thomas advised Mr Brewer in an email today that “You did however declare the Port Douglas trip and this was included in the gift register. A copy of the gift register was given to the Ernst Young Inquiry.” In an email to Mr Thomas from Mr Brewer on 8 September 2011, Mr Brewer wrote “Bruce, please declare… 1 trip to Port Douglas courtesy of Mediaworks, Four nights in august.

Value approximately 2k. Secondly, my partner and I are in SkyCity box for opening night and game tomorrow. Cost unknown. Please let me know what further information you require. Thanks Cameron” Mr Brewer was responding to an email by Mr Thomas titled ‘Code of Conduct – Declaration of Gifts’ he had sent to all elected representatives the day before on Wednesday 7 September 2011. The email read: “Dear Councillors and Local Board Members, with the Rugby World Cup about to start, I thought it prudent to remind you of your obligation to declare gifts in excess of $300. Some of the ticket and hospitality packages that you (and your partner) may be offered by a third party are likely to exceed $300. If you suspect this to be the case then you should advise myself and we will log it and ensure it is recorded as part of you declaration on 30 June 2012.”

Mr Brewer said he is very pleased to learn that he did in fact formally advise the council of the trip soon after his return, and that it was subsequently officially declared in the gift register. However he says he stands by his statement he posted earlier today on Facebook, where he apologised for being one of the councilors who did not file a full public and formal Register of Members’ Interests declaration on 30 June 2012. As part of his apology Mr Brewer has made a donation to the City Mission. However he is now pleased to retract part of his Facebook statement where he says he did not declare the trip in 2011. His Facebook statement read: “After much reflection, this morning I visited the Auckland City Mission and made a personal donation of $1,000. They’re under enormous pressure this Christmas. I did this because I wanted to make amends and show my supporters and critics that I am genuinely sorry for not declaring that four-day sponsored trip to Australia in 2011 and along with others for not filing a ‘Declaration Of Interests’ statement in 2012. Last week I submitted my declaration for 2013. I was really disappointed with myself when a reporter reminded me of this trip. I simply hadn’t given it another thought. But there are no excuses and I offer none. I will learn from this mistake. Every week over the past three years I have called for greater accountability and transparency at Auckland Council. I then came up short myself. I am not a wealthy person and so this gesture aims to show my genuine contrition and humility – nothing more, nothing less. I look forward to representing ratepayers the best I can next year.” Mr Brewer says this new information and his apology will hopefully shift the spotlight back on where it needs to be.

Ends

 

I believe the Herald owes a retraction there.

As for Councillor Brewer making the donation to Auckland City Mission – a very heart warming and sincere gesture that was. In saying that in some regards like the Mayor, Brewer is still wounded (although for Brewer it is no longer the Gifts but rather the original fall back of the failure of the No Confidence Motion) and has his work cut out in his path to redemption (if it can be honestly done which is yet to be played out). I watch 2014 with great interest.

 

 

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