What's in a word: A lot, Tararua District councillors discovered on Wednesday during a heated debate on the council's strategic procurement policy.
While debating the buy local clause of the document, a 20-minute debate took place on the words should and would and which was the most appropriate.
In the sentence, "all other things being equal the council should favour local suppliers that provide best value for money when procuring goods and services", the word should had been replaced by would during a review of the document.
"This word has a significant effect on what council does or doesn't do," councillor Andy Thompson said. "A procurement policy should be tight, but this puts us in a position where we can't defend that statement."
Deputy mayor Allan Benbow admitted he had been the driver behind the word change.
As debate continued back and forth across the council chamber, councillor Thompson reiterated his concerns.