Outside advice on M.E.D.

Press, 14 December 1983, Page 24

Outside advice on M.E.D.

Independent financial advice on the Municipal Electricity Department’s pricing structure and funding of capital works will be sought by the Christchurch City , Council. This action was recommended by the Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, at Monday’s council meeting. He said that such advice could be expected within about two months of a consultant’s being hired. The Canterbury Business Council has lobbied for such a move. Sir Hamish said the move was not a reflection on M.E.D. officers. It was a chance to gain the benefit of some “really high-level professional advice,” he said. Labour councillors said that the consultant would

rely on information provided by M.E.D. officers, ■ and the council would be spending money on advice it could receive direct. Cr Vicki Buck said that ultimate decisions on M.E.D. policy changes would have to be made by councillors. Cr M. G. Glubb said that the decision to hire an outside consultant would not > remove future decisions i from the council. It could provide councillors with a-j wide variation of proposals. £ Cr Mollie Clark said it 5 was “a futile, exercise.” J Cr Rex Lester said thej newly appointed M.E.D. | general manager would 3 have to “fight his way 'j through consultants to get g to his own desk.” s