Councillor’s comments draw criticism of consultation process

The Team Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

There’s disappointment at a councillor’s suggestion that Ashburton’s public consultation process is a waste of time because decisions have already been made.

Councillor John Fallon is understood to have said, while suffering from a medical condition at a public meeting in April, that there was no point in public submissions because the council had already decided on the budget .

When approached about his comments, Falloon said the incident was a personal matter and he didn’t want to comment further.

His comments, which resurfaced during the recent annual plan hearings, have not impressed two former Ashburton councillors – who were not present at the meeting where the comments were made.

Selwyn Price, a councillor from 2016 to 2019, referenced Falloon’s comments while speaking to an annual plan submission on behalf of the Hakatere Multi Cultural Council, but said as he was not present he was unaware of the context of the comments.

Price said most people in the district did not believe there was any point taking part in public consultation with the council.

“When you have that kind of comment made in public, it does beg the question whether the annual plan has actually been set and whether this [consultation process] is just a PR exercise,” Price said.

Public consultation is a standard regulatory process where the community’s input on matters affecting them is sought. Its main goals are in improving the efficiency, transparency, and public involvement in large-scale projects or council policies.

Former mayor Donna Favel said Falloon’s comments suggested the council was already set in its plans and consultation wouldn’t change that.

Favel voiced her concern to the council on behalf of the Ashburton Citizen's Association (ACA) submission.

ACA chairwoman Greer Rickett who was also not at the meeting where Falloon made the controversial comments, wrote in the submission it was disappointing to hear Falloon was alleged to have stated that "budgets are a waste of time and I don’t know why we do them" and "there is no point submitting as we’ve already decided on the budget".

Favel said she believed Falloon was reprimanded at the time by fellow former councillor John Leadley, before mayor Neil Brown addressed the comments as not being accurate.

Brown then doubled down on that position during the hearings, which he said were demonstrating the robust process.

Earlier this month, Falloon earned praise for his innovative approach, asking the council to consider dipping into cash reserves to slash a huge rates rise by 2%. His idea was technically not able to be implemented.