27 July 2015
Paul Lynch
E
: [FYI request #2891 email]
Dear Paul
Response – Official Information Request I refer to your request for information received on 30th June 2015. Your request has been
considered under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
(LGOIMA) and I provide the following information.
Canvasland Services
Council does contract with Canvasland on an as needed basis. The total of services
purchased for the 2014/15 year totalled $6,618.83. As the mayor’s businesses interests
are treated as a related party transaction Council discloses the total amount purchased in
the Annual report each year on Note 23.
Any transaction that is conducted with any councillor owned business is covered by the
provisions of the Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968.
The Act has two main requirements:
Section
3(1) provides that a member of a local authority is disqualified from office
who is concerned or interested in contracts with the authority under which the total
payments made, or to be made, by or on behalf of the authority exceed $25,000 in
any financial year, unless approval has been obtained from the Auditor-General. If
the disqualification applies, it is an offence to continue to act as a member of the
local authority.
Section
6(1) provides that members must not vote or take part in the discussion of
any matter before the local authority in which they have a pecuniary interest (other
than one in common with the public), unless any of the statutory exceptions apply.
Breach of
s 6(1) constitutes an offence, and a conviction results in vacation of office.
The Act requires a member to declare any pecuniary interest at relevant meetings
and for the minutes to record that declaration of interest.
Council has an item on every agenda for declarations of such interests and have a formal
process to record these interests. In addition each councillor is required to disclose the
names of any businesses that they may be involved in.
Also Council has recently developed and adopted a Procurement Policy which stipulates
when Council tenders for contracts.
If you have any queries regarding this information please contact Doug Law, Group
Manager - Finance.
Kind regards
David Clapperton
Chief Executive