Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The Gore District Council has unanimously agreed to scrap plans for a review into its dysfunction.
In April, the council agreed to initiate an independent review into the issues at the council so solutions to restore confidence in the body could be brought to councillors.
It followed infighting and a very public spat between mayor Ben Bell and chief executive Stephen Parry.
The fallout of that led to a group of councillors calling on Bell to resign the following month and an aborted vote of no confidence in the 24-year-old after protesters supporting the mayor demonstrated outside the council meeting.
In a letter to the Department of Internal Affairs signed by Bell, Parry and deputy mayor Keith Hovell and tabled at Tuesday's meeting, the council said they were moving on from their problems.
Gore mayor Ben Bell. Photo: Supplied / Facebook
"Elected members believe the forward-looking approach and commitment they have adopted with assistance from industry experts, Local Government NZ and Taituarā is working well, and the continuation of this approach is in the best interests of the council and the wider community.
"We have genuine concerns that any further re-examination of the past may reignite the very events and experiences that we seek to move on from.
"Therefore, we are collectively of the opinion that proceeding to undertake the proposed review may be counterproductive at this time. Despite previous recommendations, given the steps we have taken together to further develop, reflect and reset, we no longer feel the review process is in the best interest of the Gore District Council, nor local government as a whole."
Bell told the council he wished "to bring it off the table and check if anyone would like to go ahead with confirming the terms of reference, the unbudgeted expenditure and/or the appointment of [respected lawyer and former journalist] Linda Clark for the process".
His question was met with silence. The council then unanimously voted to note the letter to Internal Affairs.
The matter was discussed for barely a minute, with no councillor speaking to the decision to scrap the review.
It was publicly announced last week that Parry had resigned as chief executive and would be leaving the council at the end of next month after 22 years in the role.
Ben Bell supporters outside of the Gore District Council building on 16 May 2023. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The letter to Internal Affairs stated: "The relationship between the mayor and the chief executive has been given considerable attention throughout the course of this triennium. Issues associated with this have been traversed, and various actions agreed to between the parties. These actions are confidential.
"However, as you will be aware, a councillor has, when required, been assisting the mayor and chief executive in an intermediary role. This is proving highly effective in ensuring communication is kept open and a confidential report is provided to councillors on a two-monthly basis to keep them up to date with progress.
"It is important to note that while the intermediary role will continue until such time that the mayor and chief executive both agree it is no longer required, there is minimal need for the role on a day-to-day basis."
The letter was dated 4 August, predating Parry's announcement of his resignation but after a behind-closed-doors meeting on 20 June at which Parry and Bell were present.
It was also understood senior councillors Richard McPhail and Stewart MacDonell took part.
An apology from Bell and all councillors to the chief executive was released publicly the next day on 21 June.
Rumours about Parry's impending resignation swirled in the town after that statement was released, though the meeting's participants had remained tight-lipped about what took place and what was discussed.