Paula returns to Tauranga Council

Paul Thompson returns to Tauranga City council in a new role today. File photo.

Former Tauranga City Council chief executive officer Paula Thompson is expected to return to the council today as a 'non-voting standing member from Bay of Plenty Regional Council”.

The appointment is expected to be endorsed by today's meeting of the city council Environment Committee.

Paula was TCC chief executive officer for seven years, and has been a regional councillor since 2010.

She's chaired its finance committee and has been a director of Quayside Holdings since 2012.

In new powers granted for the current triennium, council committees have the ability to co-opt non-voting members.

The regional council is seen by the committee as a key partner to seek collaboration with, share information to assist decision making and minimise any unnecessary crossovers – being a key lead agency supporting a range of environmental outcomes across Tauranga and the wider region.

'I do think this is a good move,” says Paula. 'That the regional council and the city council can forge a closer relationship. It is absolutely a great initiative and a great idea.”

Climate change is going to continue to test infrastructure across the region, against a background of looming stronger environmental regulatory controls, particularly in the water environment.

'All of this adds up to a picture of needing to somehow looking ahead and future proofing infrastructure needs against a pretty challenging environment going forward,” says Paula.

For water quality the council have until 2025 to set new standards for the community in terms of fresh water ways.

'But the big issue I think that's lurking is the allocation of water. And again we have got until 2025 to come up with ways in which our water is going to be allocated more efficiently.

'At the moment we have got a first in first served situation, and you know it's about how do we keep our aquifers and surface waterways sustainable. So there are some really big challenges on the horizon.”

Paul is the regional council's nominee. If accepted by the city council committee the position takes immediate effect.

The regional representative's role is seen as helping to maintain and enhance relationships as a key partner, encourage collaboration on environmental issues and help with information sharing across organisations.

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6 comments

Is Paula being paid twice, three times or just how many?

Posted on 27-06-2017 13:18 | By Murray.Guy

Tauranga City Council has (or had) a policy that did not allow it's elected members to 'double dip' when representing TCC on various council committees, CCO's, partner organisations. The Bay of Plenty District Council does not have such a policy so those elected members who are being paid by the ratepayer if representing the BOPRC on various Boards and trading arms, get to be paid 'again' for effectively the same role. So, begs the question, are TCC ratepayers paying Paula to attend TCC meetings?


spend thrift

Posted on 27-06-2017 18:14 | By papakiwi

Isn't Paula Thompson the same person when the debt of the Tauranga City Council blew out to Millions and millions of dollars and now she is possibly double dipping. If you represent one Council then the payment you get by the Council should cover any other positions he or she are appointed to.


Going

Posted on 28-06-2017 05:48 | By Capt_Kaveman

By the past history making public exposure like this must bring shame to oneself, why does council do what they are voted to do create solid infrastructure and stop toying with stuff they cannot control remember they are not government but a local council and they forget this main important stance


papakiwi asks ...

Posted on 28-06-2017 09:40 | By Murray.Guy

... Isn't Paula Thompson the same person when the debt of the Tauranga City Council blew out to Millions and millions of dollars. Answer, "NO". CEO Stephen Town appointed in early 2002 and made a surprise exit in Aug 2010 was the 'big spender', coming to us from Wanganui and now Auckland CEO. I certainly don't question the skills and contribution of Paula Thompson, just the inability of Tauranga City Council staff and elected members to do the job they are employed and elected to do, coupled with the BOPRC policy that allows multiple income streams at ratepayer cost.


Jo

Posted on 28-06-2017 17:35 | By Jo

Congratulations Paula Thompson our city needs you


Brainwave for a secret agenda

Posted on 29-06-2017 17:25 | By CONDOR

This is an ominous start to representation onto TCC Council committee (s) without election it sets a terrible precedent and should be knocked on the head immediately.Ratepayers and residents have never been consulted about this anti democratic try on and the next step will be cultural unelected representation by stealth using this as a precedent which voters have usually opposed by around 80%+. Bay Regional Council would be the worst outfit to get into bed with.


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