Local Boards are supposedly the conduit between the local community and Council. Board meetings for the Henderson-Massey Local Board are usually held on the first Thursday of each month at 6.30 pm. However the meeting originally scheduled for 6.30 pm on 5 May 2011 was rescheduled to 10 May 2011 at 11 am.
When I rang various Henderson-Massey Board members some told me the change of date had been agreed to at the previous Board meeting on 7th April. However, some members said they had no knowledge of the change of date.
On 28 April 2011 I sent the following email to Vanessa Neeson, Chair of the Henderson-Massey Local Board.
“Dear Vanessa,
Could you please advise
1. Why was the Board meeting originally scheduled for 5 May 2011 rescheduled to 10 May 2011?
2. Why was the time changed from 6.30 pm to 11 am?
3. Was the matter discussed fully with fellow Board members?
4. Are you aware most working people would be at work at 11 am on a Tuesday morning?
Yours sincerely,
Gary Osborne.”
Her reply was
“There was no agenda items for the earlier meeting and the 10th May is when the meeting will be held.
Regards
Vanessa”
Not satisfied I sent another email
“You have not answered the questions.”
She replied
“Yes I have.”
Several other people expressed concern to me about the change of date and time of the meeting and I am aware of a number who complained.
On 13 May I made a phone complaint about the tone of Vanessa Neeson’s response and was given Complaint Number 9000 109 491.
On 16 May I rang to see what had happened to my complaint and was told it was being handled by Megan Tyler, Relationship Manager.
On 18 May I followed up again and was asked to send copies of the emails between Vanessa Neeson and myself to Rhonwen Heath. I did so at 9.51 am.
On 27 May I received a letter dated 26 May from Megan Tyler merely saying “You have also raised a concern around the way in which the Board Chair responded to your email of 26 April 2011. While the answer was short, it is clear to me that the Chair felt she had answered your question appropriately, hence her confirmation of that fact.”
Accountability in Auckland Council 