'No merit' in conduct case, says Vinsen

Ray Stevens is backing staff. Photo/File

A Wanganui district councillor is considering bringing a code of conduct action against a colleague for his public criticism of individual staff members.

Councillor Ray Stevens, chair of the council's operations and reporting committee, said comments coming from councillor Rob Vinsen were, in his view, a "gutless and cowardly act" that repeatedly questioned the competency of senior officers.

Mr Vinsen has been campaigning to have a zebra crossing included as part of the Taupo Quay roading upgrade, arguing for that rather than the raised platform roading engineers have included at the intersection of the Quay and Drews Avenue.

His criticism has questioned advice council has received from its officers, repeatedly naming senior roading engineer Rui Leitao.

But Mr Stevens said Mr Vinsen had overstepped the mark and it was "completely unacceptable" for councillors to attack council staff and direct comments to individual staff members via the media, knowing that they had no right of reply.

"No employee would want to be slagged off publicly by their employer but this is what's happening here.

"There may be a cost to taking that step (a code of conduct) but I believe it will cut off the potential for a personal grievance against the council," Mr Stevens said.

He said the Taupo Quay pedestrian crossing issue had been before council three times and Mr Vinsen had lost his argument on each occasion.

"The majority of councillors support the raised pedestrian platform. Surely the message should have got through by now.

"As the staff are unable to reply publicly, I want to make it clear that the council has followed the proper process and come to an informed decision about the raised platform."

He said councillors were guided by professional staff qualified in road traffic safety and the experts said a raised platform to slow traffic was the best option for pedestrians in that area.

But yesterday Mr Vinsen said if Mr Stevens was determined to press on with his complaint "then he will have to justify that cost with the ratepayers".

He said the last code of conduct complaint - brought against him by then councillor Clive Solomon over the council prayer issue - "had not merit" but cost the ratepayers $20,000.

"There is no rule about naming an officer and, quite frankly, it's about time our councillors were courageous enough to challenge some of the 'expert opinions' we are given," he said.

"I believe that it's a duty of a responsible councillor - hardly a 'gutless and cowardly act'."

Mr Vinsen said he supported the raised platform but still believed it would not be safe without the white lines making it a legal crossing.