Cr Bill Faulkner Faulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz

The long awaited confirmation of our
city's new CEO is now official.

He is Ken Paterson, former CEO of Northland Regional Council. His track record shows that he is capable of dealing with the many issues facing our city in a professional, businesslike and timely manner. From his background he is a doer rather than a theorist and is capable of focusing on the big picture. As we go into the Ten Year Plan, which is really a three year plan, there will be plenty to focus on as elected members grapple with what the city needs, as opposed to what some want and most importantly and critically, what the majority of ratepayers are prepared to pay for. Ken will have to hit the ground running to come to grips with this. He is of Scottish background and seems to have a good sense of humour (he will need it) along with the capacity to get things done quickly. In my opinion, the legal requirements in these CEO appointments are in excess of what is practical. Every stage of the appointment process is laid out; what you must do and it is open to scrutiny and challenge from all candidates. That's one of the reasons it all takes so long and costs. The final bill hasn't arrived yet, but I expect it to be about $60,000.
But that's cheap if you consider the consequences of stuffing up the process, which is more important than the results, in the eyes of the law, so it seems.

Narrowing the field
There were many twists and turns in this appointment after an initial list of about 30 applicants was whittled down to a shortlist of five (of which two withdrew during the shortlisting process). As I've said before, any of the five shortlisted would have been suitable and that is a positive commentary of how Tauranga is viewed amongst the professional CEO market. It is the first time elected members have had the luxury of such wide choice in my experience, which is the fifth council CEO appointment I have been involved with. Ken's appointment received the support of all elected members which has not always been the case in one or two previous appointments. Ken will start within three months on a salary all up of about $320,000.

Pulling back the covers
There was an interesting workshop last week with Tauranga City Aquatics Ltd, which runs our city's aquatic facilities, about the history and other information leading up to the Mount Hot Pools redevelopment being denied resource consent. Due to an administration oversight, the media weren't advised of the workshop. Murray Guy was straight on the phone to tell Bay Times reporter John Cousins after the meeting. John rang Mayor Stuart Crosby, who apologised, and explained that it was a workshop for information only with no decisions or minutes taken. Stuart said that Mr Cousins understood the situation as he sometimes attends other workshops. However, in the Bay Times report Mr Cousins trotted out the hoary old chestnut about a ‘secret' meeting. Workshops are not ‘secret' as he well knows. In fact, this council is known throughout NZ as one of the most open and in any event the workshop was going to feature in this week's column.

Wading murky waters
Back to the TCAL workshop, in my opinion, this whole hot pools proposal was not well handled by TCAL. Right from the outset it appeared, to some of us, that a major flaw in the proposal was parking. As it progressed, repeated assurances were given that it was all in hand. Some solutions I recall included valet parking, park and ride, extension into campground, purchase or lease of private parks in adjacent buildings, angle parking, one way into Adams Ave. In the end, this wasn't given the weight of importance in the consent application it deserved in spite of assurances it was. Obviously the commissioner agreed. The existing hot pools need a refurbishment but to do even this, it was surprising to learn that the pools will now need to be closed for five to seven months. Previous information indicated much less time.

It all ends in rates
Now 40 per cent occupancy of the proposed ‘wellness' centre is needed for break even whereas previously my recollection was 30 per cent. Parking is critical and options like park and ride are not realistic. Purchasing private parking is hardly a sensible investment bearing in mind cost and return. I'm the first to applaud initiatives to produce income from other than rates and if TCAL could make their business plan work then there is potential for the around $2 million rates subsidy for aquatic activities to be neutralised, but I am not in that space right now. Some of my colleagues who previously supported this are also questioning the future direction, but the refurbishment will have to go ahead at a cost of around $2.2 million. TCAL has lodged an appeal against the commissioner's decision in order to protect its legal position, but the future direction is far from clear. Also in the equation is the bundle of money already spent to get it to the consent stage – even though TCAL pay, every dollar spent with no return eventually winds up increasing the rates subsidy requirement.

What's hot, what's not
Annual plan submissions are trickling in with tsunami sirens and botanic park being your issues so far. This is a chance for you to get involved in the rates setting process. Elected members do take this seriously, all submissions are read, considered, and listened to if you wish. It is neither fair nor correct to say that no-one takes any notice. If decisions don't go your way it doesn't mean your submission was not considered.
Noise and animal problems continue to dog the innocent populace around the city. The law is ineffective for those who snub their noses at enforcement, fines and abatement notices. It's victim rights that the law ignores and I have asked council for support in beefing up meaningful action – probably meaning getting central government support.
This week's mind bender from Clement Atlee: ‘Democracy means government by
discussion but it is only effective if you can stop people talking.'