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Talks aimed at resolving the logo wrangle between Auckland City Council and Triangle Television will be brokered by Mayor John Banks this afternoon.
The broadcaster has asked the council to make changes to its new wavy blue logo because of the close resemblance to its own blue-coloured triangle.
Talks between the broadcaster, senior council staff and lawyers from both sides have failed and there are fears the dispute could escalate into a costly legal battle for ratepayers.
Mr Banks is keen to find a solution to the logo row, which blew up in his face when chief executive David Rankin rolled out the new logo as a fait accompli to the new council.
Mr Rankin and his executive team devised the logo over the past year as part of a $1 million rebranding exercise. It was never put to a council committee.
Mr Rankin told his executive team to be "clear that the rebranding exercise was driven by council management, not councillors".
The Herald understands a report on the logo going to tomorrow's council meeting for public debate has been pulled by organisation performance general manager Trish Langridge. Instead she plans to give councillors a secret briefing beforehand to keep the controversy out of the media.
Mr Banks campaigned to end the culture of "secret meetings" at Auckland City, promising greater openness and accountability.
Ratepayer-funded lawyers are expected to attend today's meeting, adding to the growing legal bill to sort out the fiasco.
