Has the Christchurch City Council been misled?

It's been a busy day, and we have spent extended periods today some distance from our computer. But as we were driving to our accommodation, we listened to Duncan Garner interviewing Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee. 

Unsurprisingly, the subject of the interview was the decision today by the Christchurch City Council to ask for a Crown manager to take over the council's consenting process, and the news that council CEO Tony Marryatt has gone on leave.

Duncan Garner raised with Gerry Brownlee the possibility that Mr Marryatt has misled the council over the state of the consenting process. Gerry Brownlee didn't come down in the last shower of course, and refused to either confirm or deny that allegation. Given the potential for litigation further down the track, Brownlee's stonewalling, whilst frustrating to Garner was absolutely correct.

The allegation raises an interesting point however. If Mr Marryatt HAS done what Garner alleged, then surely his position as CEO of the CCC would be absolutely untenable. 

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in coming days. We suspect however that today might be the beginning of the end of Mr Marryatt's employment with the Christchurch City Council.

In the meantime, the Government has welcomed the Christchurch City Council's decision to request a Crown manager; Gerry Brownlee responds:

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, Local Government Minister Chris Tremain, and Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson, have welcomed the decision by Mayor Bob Parker to seek the appointment of a Crown Manager to address consenting issues.
“I am pleased that Christchurch City Council has recognised the gravity of the situation and that a motion will now be put to the council to invite the Government to appoint Crown Manager,” Mr Brownlee says.
“This decision will ensure they get a robust consenting system in place, and is a constructive and welcome step forward.”
Mr Tremain says this move is a positive step which will enable a Crown Manager to be appointed more quickly for the benefit of Christchurch.
“I look forward to meeting the council tomorrow following their decision, to discuss the terms of reference which will enable a Crown Manager to be appointed at the earliest opportunity,” Mr Tremain says.
“The Crown Manager will have the authority to direct the council to address issues relating to consenting.
“The Council will be required by legislation to cooperate with the Crown Manager, comply with the Manager’s directions, and comply with any reasonable request to provide relevant information.
“This process relies on the new assistance and intervention framework included in the Better Local Government legislation passed last year.
“This framework gives the Government a menu of options which enables us to work collaboratively with the Council in the first instance.
“Under the previous legislation, the only intervention options would have been to appoint Commissioners or call an election.”

Here's hoping that the disruption to the rebuild of Christchurch will be absolutely minimal. Mr Marryatt being on leave will certainly help that.