Council warned as Marryatt rejects pay rise

SAM SACHDEVA AND BEN HEATHER

LATEST: The Government has appointed a Crown observer to oversee work at the Christchurch City Council and get the troubled organisation back on track.

Local Government Minister Nick Smith said councillors had "weeks, not months," to sort out their issues and focus on the city's recovery.

The news came as council chief executive Tony Marryatt announced he would decline a controversial $68,000 pay rise.

Smith and Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee met councillors behind closed doors this afternoon to discuss concerns about the council's performance.

The council has come under fire after several public blunders, while Marryatt's pay rise had angered many residents.

After the meeting, Smith said the Government had decided to appoint former Local Government New Zealand chairman Kerry Marshall as a Crown observer to assist the council.

Marshall would provide advice to Mayor Bob Parker, councillors and Marryatt, and would report back to Smith when necessary.

He would remain in place until at least the end of March and could remain in the role until July 1.

Smith said the appointment, which was a lower level of intervention than the "nuclear option" of appointing commissioners, was necessary to get the council back on track.

"Never in the 150-year history of Christchurch has it been so important for its council to function well," he said.

The Government was "very reluctant" to appoint commissioners but could not rule out taking further action if the problems were not resolved.

"The council has weeks, not months, to get these issues resolved. The people of Christchurch can't wait," Smith said

Parker said councillors had unanimously supported the Government's decision and wanted to resolve their problems as soon as possible.

"There is not a person around the council table who does not believe in the future of this city and who doesn't want to play a great role in the work that we have to do."

He said councillors would meet Marshall next week.

PAY RISE REJECTED

Marryatt says he has instructed the council’s payroll office to stop paying him his $68,000 salary increase from today.

In a media statement released this afternoon, Marryatt said his decision was based on "what’s best for the council and its staff". 

''The negative publicity and public opinion has been tough for staff at the organisation and has the potential to distract this council from the very important task at hand of rebuilding our city,'' he said.

''I want to show my commitment to Christchurch, to the council and to all our staff. I want to lead our team through the rebuild.

''The councillors said today they would work together collegially. If they can be true to this commitment, I will make a similar commitment in the same spirit of good faith and will give back any increase I’ve received to date.

''Now they have found a way forward I really want elected members and our staff to be working together as one team.

''There has been a lot of public opinion against the council’s decision to increase my salary. I don’t want the issue around my pay to affect the rebuild of this great city.''

Smith said Marshall would help the council address concerns that its decision-making and governance roles were "becoming dysfunctional".

"These failings cannot be left to undermine the valuable recovery work the council is doing.  I hope that by working with the Crown observer, the council will make any consideration of further government intervention in the council unnecessary," Smith said.

Marshall would attend his first council meeting on January 30, Smith said.

'STOP SILLY BEHAVIOUR'

The Christchurch City Council needs to stop its "silly behavior" and focus on the rebuild,  Brownlee says.

Before the meeting today, Brownlee told The Press councillors would be asked to commit to stopping the "nonsense" and instead focus on the recovery.

"I want to see the council stop this silly sort of behavior and recognise we've got a heck of a challenge here and they are pivotal," he said.

He expected councillors to reconcile their differences.

Brownlee ruled out sacking Marryatt, calling it a "dumb solution" arising from "wooly thinking".

"The Government can't come along and sack someone and leave the council in place."

- © Fairfax NZ News