Delegation ‘subjected to vitriolic questions’

Press, 10 March 1987, Page 5

Delegation ‘subjected to vitriolic questions’

A Christchurch City Councillor has described the meeting yesterday between the council’s policy and finance committee and representatives of the Canterbury United Council as vitriolic. The United Council’s delegation, led by the chairman, Mrs Margaret Murray of Waimairi, fielded questions such as "Who does have confidence in the United Council?” “Has the United Council given thought to staff redundancies?” and “Is the United Council a lean and efficient machine?”

The United Council had asked to meet the committee of its largest funder to discuss the United Council’s 1987-88 budget.

Its provisional budget seeks more than $500,000 from the City Council, a 21.2 per cent increase on that council’s levy last year.

What was planned as a discussion gave City Councillors a chance to ask questions about the function and running of the United Council. The City Council has previously queried United Council spending and last year warned it would keep a close eye on the council that shares its Tuam Street offices.

Some councillors were more sympathetic than others to the delegation. The chairman, Cr John Burn, refused to allow some questions and asked the delegation to ignore the comment from one councillor that the United Council was of no great value.

Cr Morgan Fahey noted that the delegation was being subjected to the most vitriolic questions he had heard for some time.

Once the delegation had left, councillors debated the merits of such a meet-

ing when they could do little to alter the United Council budget.

"It’s a waste of time if we can’t appeal with any chance of success against their spending,” Cr Ron Wright said. The City Treasurer, Mr Bob Lineham, noted that a general appeal against the United Council budget had little chance of being upheld.

However, once the United Council had passed its budget, the opportunity to appeal existed.

Cr Vicki Buck, one of the most persistent questioners, said City Council input should be sought, before the budget was made, not after.

The United Council’s provisional budget lists expenditure of $1.22 million on its work programme and $1.02 million on urban transport, and $300,000 on voluntary grants to regional organisations.