Yesterday, a recommendation was made for Nelson-based chartered director Lee Babe to be appointed as both an independent member and deputy chairman of the council’s water committee.
A report prepared for the meeting noted travel and accommodation costs would be incurred due to Mr Babe living in Nelson, but joining via Microsoft Teams was also an option.
‘‘If the water committee adjusted its start time, it is possible for Lee Babe to undertake a day trip,’’ it said.
Mayor Tom Campbell described Mr Babe as an ‘‘excellent candidate’’ and asked if it was intended he attend every meeting.
Cr Steve Broad gained confirmation that moving the meeting removed the need for accommodation, while the council’s manager governance and legal Michael Morris said changes to meeting times could be determined by chairs and the chief executive.
The report said under the current timetable, the earliest Mr Babe could arrive in Invercargill was 10.20am and the latest he could leave 4.50pm.
A recent calculation put the cost of July flights at about $614.
Mr Campbell said he believed the water committee start time could be moved from 9am to 11.30am without affecting the 2pm start time for another committee.
Mr Babe has held positions at Parallaxx, Network Tasman Ltd and Agfirst Consultants Nelson Ltd.
He has also recently been appointed to the board of council-controlled organisation Kaikōura Hurunui Water Services Ltd.
Three candidates were interviewed last month for the Invercargill role by a subcommittee made up of Cr Dermody, Cr Alex Crackett and chief executive Michael Day.
Mr Babe’s appointment was approved yesterday by the water committee, but still needs to be confirmed at a full council meeting on April 28.
If that is successful, his first meeting will be on May 5.
Remuneration for the role will be between $30,000 and $35,000, plus disbursements.
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
