Future negotiations on appeals involving the Queenstown Lakes District Council are aimed to be kept clearer and more on the record, following the adoption of a suggested mediation process yesterday.
Council policy and planning general manager Philip Pannett reported to the strategy committee the outcomes of an inquiry into an allegation of corruption by Queenstown lawyer Bryce Whiting in a public forum of a council meeting on March 31.
Mr Whiting was concerned an agreement had been reached between two Plan Change 10 appellants and the council over the reclassification of the high density zone of Thompson St to sub-zone B, without his participation as a representative of a group of residents who wanted to remain sub-zone C, as chosen by the commissioners.
Mr Whiting had since withdrawn his allegation of corruption and apologised. The proceedings in the Environment Court he was concerned about had been resolved by a consent order to which he was a party.
Mr Pannett recommended formalising steps that should be taken when appeals to council-initiated plan changes were considered by the strategy committee.
The steps were prompted by the findings submitted by Dr Royden Somerville QC, who was asked by Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes to independently look into the allegation.
The committee resolved to develop and use a template for future strategy committee agendas which would more clearly detail all parties and their positions regarding appeals to council decisions.
Dr Somerville recommended that the council should expect meeting minutes and solicitors' opinions on reasons for changing its position to be inspected by the Environment Court. A full report by council staff should be provided to the strategy committee and made public.
However, Mr Pannett said more discussion with the council's solicitors was needed to see what that meant for the council during negotiations.
Records would be kept to ensure consultations were balanced and to prove they were.
The council would continue its policy of notifying all parties after it had reached a position on whether it would support its decision on a plan change in the Environment Court.
The file for appeal would record the explanations given to all parties for why the council considered a change in its decision.
Dr Somerville recommended it should be noted on the council record if the council or its advisers had a legal interest in land involved in a plan change.
