Council makes staff changes

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Environment Canterbury (ECan) top brass have been reshuffled to satisfy the Government.

Details of the rejig are outlined in an email sent to staff by chief executive Bryan Jenkins yesterday.

Jenkins has shifted two directors into deputy chief executive positions so he can spend time with staff and community groups that deal with the council.

The email, which was not sent to councillors but was passed on to them by Cr Mark Oldfield yesterday, also called for spending cuts over the next 18 months and a tightening of new-staff appointments.

Several councillors reacted angrily to the email, saying they should be involved in decisions if budgets were being cut.

Jenkins replied the issue was going to be brought to the March 25 council meeting.

The changes are in response to recommendations made by Wyatt Creech's review of ECan's operations.

In the email, Jenkins said he and his directors had been out of the office for two days undertaking "key thinking" about the coming months.

"We are facing an unprecedented situation. We have decided that I will free my time up to focus on stakeholder relations. This means that you can expect to see more of me around the building and out in the communities in which we work.

"Directorate has decided that Don Rule and Wayne Thomas will shift into deputy CE roles. Don will manage all issues relating to resource management and Wayne will manage all issues relating to administration and corporate activity."

Implementing the review's recommendations would cost.

"I am asking all directors and section managers to take a very close and critical look at their budgets for the coming 18 months and identify potential savings. This will also mean we will not be making staff appointments without significant scrutiny."

Cr Eugenie Sage said: "In terms of this email, if it requires savings to be made, affects programmes or the level of service, there needs to be an opportunity for the public to comment."

Chairman Cr Alec Neill said Jenkins did not have authority to determine allocations but was "absolutely at liberty" to tell staff to spend prudently.

- © Fairfax NZ News