ECan faces mayors' scrutiny

Canterbury's mayors say they will continue to keep a close watch on the regional council as its chairman's future hangs in the balance.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said the mayors of Timaru, Waimate, Ashburton and Hurunui met yesterday to discuss Environment Canterbury chairman Sir Kerry Burke's failed bid to scuttle a no-confidence motion at last week's council meeting. Late yesterday, ECan deputy chairwoman Jo Kane announced her resignation from the deputy chair position. She remains a councillor.

When The Timaru Herald asked the mayors about the substance of yesterday's discussion, none would be drawn into comment.

Mr Parker said although all of the Canterbury district councils acknowledge the importance of ECan as the region's statutory authority, they were concerned about the dysfunction within the council.

Mackenzie mayor John O'Neill said it was a very "frank discussion", but no formal resolution was reached.

Although the South Canterbury mayors have previously wanted to form a breakaway authority to replace ECan, Timaru Mayor Janie Annear said that was not discussed at the meeting. "Those issues are for a separate discussion," she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News