I viewed with some interest Cr. Faulkner's throwaway line in [a recent] Sun to the effect that some Tauranga citizens have had the cheek to ask for information costing ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars last term.
That appears to be blatant exaggeration and is patently incorrect.
What evidence does he have to support this nonsense and incidentally, what staff is Mr Faulkner talking about - does he mean the recently departed CEO?
I agree with Mr Harlen that TCC is legally required to conduct its business in an open, transparent and democratically accountable manner but I doubt that Crosby & Co or Council hierarchy acknowledge that is the case.
Talking about wasting money, this doesn't seem to faze Mr Faulkner when it comes to the extravagant Southern Pipeline fiasco, Mount Hot Pools Redevelopment, Mount Greens, Tauranga Indoor Sports Centre, etc.
The clear message to TCC and all Councillors is answer the public questions promptly, be open, don't claim confidentiality and commercial sensitivity and only then the LGOIMA requests might reduce.
I recall from something I saw recently that people had been trying for around 3 years to get financial information on the Baypark purchase and were continually thwarted in their attempts. Perhaps the 'ratepayers' champion” would like to explain away this bit of subterfuge.
A. Barnes, Tauranga.

TCC response: Councillor Faulkner may have his own response to this correspondent. I can however verify that there are fewer than five people who took up over 700 hours of senior staff (including the Chief Executive and legal) time with requests for information and/or correspondence that are circular, repetitive and could be construed by some as ‘time-wasting'. Under the Privacy Legislation we are unable to provide the names of these people to you.
Elizabeth Hughes
Communication Manager.