Editorial: Council process flawed

The application process for the Rotorua District Council's new chief executive officer is flawed.

Firstly there was the bungled communication over the role being advertised without anyone knowing and it is wrong the appointment will be made just months before the local body elections.

More than 20 people have applied for the council's top management role, including current chief executive officer Peter Guerin.

Mayor Kevin Winters has said an appointment should be announced by the end of April.

The council began advertising the position of chief executive officer in the Rotorua Daily Post this month - much to the surprise of council staff and members of the public.

Mr Guerin's contract ends on June 30 and the council is required under the Local Government Act to advertise the position before appointing a chief executive for a term of up to five years.

Councillors have since said the lack of communication over the process was an oversight. In my view, this oversight should have been accepted by the council itself, not councillors.

Now there are calls from members of the public for the process to be put off until after the local body elections.

Mr Winters said councillors are following the law by not postponing the appointment. Their legal advice says the Local Government Act does not allow the council to extend the chief executive's contract until after the local body elections. If that is the case, the law is wrong.

It makes sense to hold off on this important appointment once the new council (if there is to be one) is in place.

Mr Guerin or another suitable person should be allowed to perform the role under a temporary contract until after local body elections to ensure our representatives are happy with the appointment.