Yesterday, the new Dunedin City Council voted 13-2 to back Mayor Sophie Barker’s portfolio-based governance system, noting Cr Lee Vandervis declined two deputy roles, which he described as "non-functioning sop".
Ms Barker’s proposal differed from the council’s traditional committee structure, introducing a portfolio system for councillors to champion key issues.
Cr Simms declined Ms Barker’s proposal he serve as her deputy on the economic development portfolio at the weekend, saying she was "sidelining" him in favour of her own political interests.
Ms Barker rejected this and said her proposed appointments were based on what was best for Dunedin.
Ms Barker said she welcomed the partnership with Cr Simms and later told the Otago Daily Times she was grateful and pleased they agreed on an "elegant solution".
She had not previously considered sharing portfolio leadership, but it was a good idea, she said.
"[Economic development] was my entire career and I think that Cr Simms has indicated that he has a lot of energy and time and enthusiasm to give to this project.
"I think it shows there will be an equal sharing of responsibility."
Cr Simms thanked Ms Barker for her flexibility in accepting a compromise on the portfolio’s leadership.
"I would like to apologise for any anxiety caused to the council ahead of reaching this compromise," he said.
Cr Simms also thanked Cr Mickey Treadwell for his "mature and wise" counsel on the matter - the joint leadership resolution followed an earlier discussion with Cr Treadwell who encouraged compromise, he told the ODT.
"This now allows me to now speak to business, tourism and other organisations with greater confidence and to take greater responsibility for the outcomes from the economic development portfolio," Cr Simms said.
"Credit is due to Mayor Barker for agreeing to this compromise and for recognising my determination to turn the economic fortunes of Dunedin around."
During the meeting, Cr Vandervis declined Ms Barker’s offer of finance committee deputy chairman and infrastructure portfolio deputy lead, saying the roles did not reflect her wish experienced councillors share knowledge with newcomers.
"As the most experienced councillor you have, you have given me no portfolio leads, you've given me no chairmanships and you have relegated me, with my unmatched political experience and business experience come to that, to essentially positions where I will not be in a position to be able to show councillors the ropes," Cr Vandervis said.
"Deputies are essentially a non-functioning sop to someone having a title of some sort."
Cr Vandervis said he considered Ms Barker’s appointments to have excluded her "political rivals".
"It's not just me, it's also Cr Simms," he said.
Cr Brent Weatherall said the changes would produce more efficient, constructive meeting agendas.
"We all need to consider a team game will be far more productive than an ‘I am’ approach," he said.
"The strength of this council will be judged on our ability to work together - division may make noise, but unity makes progress."
Councillors approved Ms Barker’s proposal with Cr Vandervis and Cr Russell Lund recording their votes against.
The structure would be reviewed in a year.
Cr Vandervis’ decision was reflected in remuneration discussed at yesterday’s meeting.
Ms Barker’s pay is set at $190,006 per annum by the independent Remuneration Authority, leaving $1,436,428 to be spilt among deputy mayor Cherry Lucas and councillors.
The proposed pay structure had Cr Lucas on $145,008 per annum and the remaining 13 councillors on $99,340 each; after Cr Vandervis declined the roles, his pay was required by the authority to drop to the minimum payable allowance of $84,496, Ms Barker said.
Pay for 12 councillors rose to $100,577 and was unchanged for Cr Lucas.
Councillors approved this 14-1 - Cr Vandervis recorded his vote against.
Pay rates are still to be approved by the authority.
