Letters to the editor: Council workshops are valuable
19 Apr, 2021 09:00 PM
2 minutes to read
Tauranga Council buildings. Photo / File
Bay of Plenty Times
Council workshops are valuable, because local government deals with complex issues.
No decisions can be made in a workshop, and that is a legal requirement, but workshops are an opportunity for staff and councillors to
understand the quite serious issues facing their ratepayers. After the workshops it gives staff the chance to then prepare their reports for committee deliberation, where debate in public takes place.
Workshops should not include the public, until all councillors are fully understanding of policy changing options, which they debate in public, and then open for consultation with their communities so everyone can be involved.