Summarised by Centrist
“If you want to get along as a city councillor, then you’ve got to learn to go along.” That’s according to Chris Trotter who writes on the erosion of democratic power of Wellington’s elected councillors to bureaucratic council staff. Councillors accuse council staff of intimidating tactics, particularly over the controversial proposal to sell shares in Wellington Airport.
Trotter says that this situation raises broader questions about the authenticity of local democracy in New Zealand.
Trotter details how historically, councillors were supported by a small, competent staff, but modern councils are dominated by expansive bureaucracies. Elected officials are now constrained by a “Councillors’ Code of Conduct” and a “Democracy manager.” Along with legal frameworks, these are strong discouragers against criticising staff and becoming involved in “operational” decisions.
The result is that councillors are “overawed” by their own staff’s decisions, as they risk being labelled troublemakers.
Trotter suggests that bureaucrats should be outlawed from “any and all attempts” to “intimidate, threaten, or by any other means overawe, those elected to serve the public interest, and enforce the people’s will,” writes Trotter.
“But don’t hold your breath,” he concludes.
