February 23 2010

Federated Farmers believes last week’s scathing ministerial report into Environment Canterbury (ECan) reflects the poor long-term leadership of the council and not the recently elected chair Alec Neill.

“If you want to know how not to run a regional council then this report is as critical as you can get,” said Michael Morrow, Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury president.

 “I imagine the spotlight will now turn to other regional councils given this report could be applied to a number.”

 He said the report was more an indictment on the previous council leadership that led ECan into a strategic cul-de-sac.

  “However, that’s in the past and now Federated Farmers is interested in the future and the leadership being shown by new ECan chair, Alec Neill.

  “We’re actually encouraged by what‘s been coming out of the council more recently.”

 He said the council ‘supertanker’ could not be turned around in a few months.

  “I think Mr Neill knows where the failings are and if he gets the chance, this report gives him the ammunition to bring about the wholesale changes Federated Farmers desires.

 “The simple truth is that a commission could easily be appointed at any point in time.  If a new council after November doesn’t pull itself out of a death spiral, then yes, appoint one. Going for a commission right now could actually stifle the tentative improvements we are seeing.

 “While there are things that still frankly annoy us, we are seeing positive signs of change.  The council move to recruit from outside of local government is one that will bring in fresh private sector perspectives.

 “What I think the council needs is a total reorganisation retaining the best but exiting the weakest links.  I think the chief executive really needs to think hard about his position.  “This must then be followed by a revolution at the ballot box in nine months, if that election ever takes place, that is.  Alec Neill needs time and an electoral mandate to bring in a new crop of councillors.  People like former Federated Farmers national vice-president, Frank Brenmuhl, who don’t carry baggage with them.

 “It’s time for new thinking as this report acts like a blueprint for what not to do.  It’s a roadmap that could really turn ECan’t into ECan.”