Open Minutes
Commencing: Thursday 10 September 2020, 8.30 am
Venue: Regional House Chambers, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga and via Zoom
Chairperson: Chairman Doug Leeder - via Zoom
Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Chairperson Jane Nees – via Zoom
Members: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen
Cr Matemoana McDonald -via Zoom
Cr David Love
Cr Norm Bruning
Cr Bill Clark – via Zoom
Cr Stuart Crosby
Cr Lyall Thurston
Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti – via Zoom
Cr Stacey Rose
Cr Paula Thompson – via Zoom
In Attendance: Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive, Warwick Lampp – Electoral Officer, Yvonne Tatton – Governance Manager, Mat Taylor – General Manager Corporate, Tone Nerdrum Smith – Committee Advisor
Apologies: Cr Te Taru White, Cr Kevin Winters and Cr Iti (both late arrivals via Zoom)
1. Apologies
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That the Regional Council at its Emergency Meeting: 1 Accepts the apologies from Cr White, Cr Winters and Cr Iti (both late arrivals via Zoom) tendered at the meeting. CARRIED |
2. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
None declared.
3. Reports
8.40 am – Cr Iti entered the meeting via Zoom.
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Electoral System Review Yvonne Tatton – Governance Manager and Warwick Lampp – Council’s Electoral Officer attended the meeting for this item.
Key Points · If passing a resolution regarding the preferred voting system, this had to be done no later than 12 September, which was the reason for today’s Emergency Council Meeting · If no resolution was passed by Council, the status quo remained, i.e. First Past the Post (FPP) would be the preferred voting system for the next election · It was a legal requirement to issue a public notice by 19 September regarding the preferred voting system and right to demand a poll · In Response to Questions · There was no empirical evidence to support that one voting system provided a higher level of diversity than another · Councils that had changed to STV had all conducted their own promotional campaigns to increase community/voter awareness, rather than there being nationwide campaigns · Council could choose to set its voting system for the 2022 and 2025 elections, however community had the opportunity to seek a poll at any time to challenge the current system.
Key Points – Members · Recognised that there was a level of confusion with regards to how STV worked · Considered that STV did not necessarily represent an accurate expression of who electors wanted as Councillors, as their first choice candidate might not be voted in, despite getting a high number of ‘1’ votes · Recognised the higher number of invalid STV votes, above that for FPP, mainly due to a lack of understanding of how the ranking system worked · STV could be used tactically, i.e. you could choose to vote for one candidate only · Noted the situation in Eastern Bay where a recount in the FPP system had changed the final outcome with one vote, and that if STV had been used, the outcome could have been different · Council should make the decision for the 2022 election and any decision regarding the 2025 election voting system should be deferred to the next Council · Recognised the importance of community/voter understanding of the difference between the two voting systems to reduce misunderstanding and confusion · There was also positive comments from voters with regards to STV as it provided an opportunity to vote for more candidates · Encouraged a future discussion with regards to the pros/cons of both voting systems · Noted the steady decline in turnout of voters and adding a level of complexity and confusion, e.g. different voting systems, was not desirable · Considered that choosing a voting system should be a decision of the community, rather than councils, however this process was currently regulated by the Local Electoral Act 2001.
9.06 am – Cr Winters entered the meeting via Zoom
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That the Regional Council at its Emergency Meeting: 1 Receives the report, Electoral System Review. 2 Pursuant to Section 27 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 agrees to: (a) Retain the First Past the Post electoral system for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for the 2022 triennial election; 3 Notes that public notice be given by 19 September 2020 of the decision and the right of electors to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used. CARRIED |
A karakia was provided by Cr Iti.
9.08 am – the meeting closed.
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Chairperson, Regional Council