Editorial: Careful eyes now on crucial council watchdog

Simon Waters

IT WAS great to see former Whanganui District councillor Sue Westwood presiding over this week's Audit and Risk committee.

She is one of two non-elected councillors on the committee and is its chair -- Rex McKinnon being the other independent member.

Some have questioned why non-elected members should be on the committee, and perhaps, for the other major council committees, they may have a point.

Non-elected members are not as accountable as elected councillors. They cannot be voted out if they don't perform. Only Mayor Hamish McDouall has that power.

But Audit and Risk is not an ordinary committee. It is a watchdog designed to keep tabs on council finances and processes. As such a level of independence is appropriate.

And with a relatively new cluster of councillors, the experience offered by Ms Westwood and Mr McKinnon will prove invaluable.

Audit and Risk is also ridiculously dry and dull. Not to besmirch a noble profession, but Ms Westwood is its only non-accountant, save for Mayor McDouall.

What she lacks in the nuances of double-entry bookkeeping she more than makes up with her years of experience as a former elected representative and is politically savvy.

Audit and Risk won't hit the headlines like the other committees -- unless it uncovers major failings or fraud. And while that is unlikely, ratepayers can be reassured that at least a collection of knowledgeable and skilled people is watching and will have no hesitation in calling out anything untoward.

And for that reason it may be the most important committee within council.