Absent Councillors from Committees of the Whole – And Workshops

Written by Ben Ross - Talking Auckland

More that 50% absent

I will name and shame

I have been made aware that we have a problem with absenteeism at the Committees of the Whole, and the Governing Body of Auckland Council all which meet on a respective Thursday (sometimes a Tuesday) through a given month. That absenteeism extends to attendance of these Committees getting to under 50% of all the Councillors being present.

Below being a screengrab of the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee today:

Bit empty at the August Regional Strat and policy meeting today
Bit empty at the August Regional Strat and policy meeting today

I will be checking the Minutes of each Committee of the Whole, and the Governing Body from now on for attendance levels. I will name and shame those who are absent unless they are:

  • Dead
  • Sick
  • Winter Holiday (June-July Councillors rotate through on a holiday and that is fine)
  • Council Business which usually comes from being “deployed” by the Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor

Holding community clinics on a Committee day is not acceptable as you the Councillor are meant to represent the Community at these Committees <_<

First list of attendance goes up as soon as the Regional Strategy and Policy Minutes come through.

I will be watching