Bitter scenes as Burke forced out

BY MATTHEW LITTLEWOOD

Sir Kerry Burke's five-year reign as Environment Canterbury chairman is over, with Alec Neill taking over.

The controversial Christchurch councillor has been toppled in a leadership coup, losing a motion of no confidence by eight votes to six.

It was put forward by South Canterbury councillor Mark Oldfield and seconded by deputy chairman Jo Kane.

The councillors who voted in favour of the motion were: Mr Oldfield, Ross Little, Angus McKay, Mr Neill, Bronwen Murray, Carole Evans, Pat Harrow and Ms Kane.

Sir Kerry's supporters were: Bob Kirk, Eugenie Sage, David Sutherland, Jane Demeter and Rik Tindall.

The result caps off a turbulent period for the regional council, beginning with the last meeting in Timaru, where Sir Kerry and his supporters failed to get a motion of no confidence off the table. Meanwhile, Canterbury's mayors revealed this week they had sent a letter to Local Government Minister Rodney Hide expressing their concerns with ECan's performance.

In a meeting where emotions ran high, opponents of the motion laid accusations of plotting, backroom dealing and petty partisanship.

Sir Kerry loyalist Bob Kirk urged his fellow councillors to stop the squabbling and put an end to the coup.

"What is interesting is how early and vehemently Sir Kerry's opponents told us what this coup is not about," Professor Kirk said. "They say it is not about water charges. They say it is not about unitary authorities. They say it is not about petty politics. They say it is not about personality. When I hear this, I have a Tui moment: yeah right."

Professor Kirk said the leadership bid would further entrench the divisions within the council.

"If you have issues with the chairman, put them on the table. I deplore the orchestrated attacks. It is a naked grab for power fuelled by personal agendas ... which is sure to embitter the regional council," he said.

Meanwhile, those in favour of the motion accused Sir Kerry of failing to show leadership or addressing the concerns of the district councils.

Mrs Evans said the council had failed to address the growing divide between urban and rural constituencies. She said the council was bitterly dysfunctional.

In response, Sir Kerry said history would harshly judge those who voted in favour of the motion, warning they may pay for their decision in next year's local government elections.

He revealed to the media in the gallery that his opponents had approached him before the meeting, asking him to step down.

"The colleagues who vote in favour of this motion will leave a legacy of instability," he said. "Whoever becomes the next chairman will forever be looking over their shoulder."

Sir Kerry said his opponents had failed to make a definitive case for his removal, and were beset with conflicts of interest. He also slammed the letter from the Canterbury mayors as a litany of fabrications and disingenuous criticisms.

Sir Kerry paid tribute to the councillors who supported him.

"You are Canterbury heroes," he said.

Sir Kerry said the result of the motion would only increase the likelihood of central government moving towards replacing ECan with a unitary authority.

The motion of no confidence led to the single nomination of Mr Neill as chairman which was seconded by Mr Little.

In his speech for the chairmanship, Mr Neill said he would attempt to heal the rifts between the regional authority and the district councils.

"The relationship between the Christchurch City Council and ECan is at its lowest ebb, and in Timaru it is even worse," he said.

Mr Neill quashed opposition claims that he and his supporters would institute a razor gang which would gut ECan's resources.

Although Mr Neill said he would support the role of the regional council, he would not rule out productive discussion with territorial authorities on its roles and responsibilities.

He won the bid for the chairmanship by eight votes to six.

"It didn't matter who eventually won, the losers in this are the people of Canterbury," Mr Demeter said. "The council should not be about egos and political gamesmanship, it should be about what's best for Canterbury. This is a very sad day."

A step forward, MPs look for improvement, Page 2

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