Reshuffle of committee chairs for two key council committees

The leadership of two key Waipā District Council committees has been reshuffled for the remainder of the electoral term.

Mayor Susan O’Regan will now chair the Strategic Planning and Policy Committee, with Cambridge ward councillor Mike Pettit stepping in as deputy chair. This change follows Deputy Mayor Liz Stolwyk’s resignation from the chair position last week.

Maungatautari ward councillor Mike Montgomerie will take over as chair of the Finance and Corporate Committee, replacing Te Awamutu ward councillor Andrew Brown who has signalled he will not seek re-election in October. After leading the committee for 11 years, Brown will shift to the role of deputy chair. Pirongia-Kakepuku ward councillor Bruce Thomas, the committee’s former deputy, has also indicated his retirement from Council.

O’Regan said it was a “small but important Cabinet reshuffle”, aligned with her focus on ensuring sound and effective governance.

“Good governance practice requires refresh, renewal and focus of energy and resource,” she said. “We know there will be changes next term, with some elected members already signalling their retirement, so this reshuffle is an opportunity to further plan for succession in these crucial roles.”

She thanked the councillors for their willingness to change roles for the collective good. “I am confident that as a team, we will continue to work together towards the goals we have set ourselves to deliver between now and October.”

With the reshuffle came associated changes in remuneration for elected members. While the total pool is set by the Remuneration Authority, councils can decide how the pool is allocated.

At its meeting today, the Council approved continuing to allocate the governance pool at the same ratio as established in November 2022 after the last election.