By BERNARD ORSMAN
Auckland City looks set to continue using private eyes to snoop on ratepayers and staff it suspects are ripping off the council.
A lawyer reviewing the practice has indicated that she is happy with some reasons for council staff and council lawyers' using private investigators.
But Julienne Fisher, who is the council's deputy complaints consultant, is still examining the practice and staff protocols of using private investigators in legal cases against ratepayers.
Her investigation follows revelations last month in the Herald that a senior council officer, John Brockies, instructed council lawyers to use a private eye to snoop on a ratepayer and property developer, Adrian Chisholm.
Chief executive Bryan Taylor has said he was unaware of Mr Brockies' action.
Mr Chisholm, who is locked in a legal battle with the council over plans for a resort on Waiheke Island, reached an agreement with council lawyers for the report to be destroyed.
Auckland Mayor Christine Fletcher was shocked to learn about the Chisholm report and appointed Mrs Fisher to examine the delegated powers of council staff to use private investigators.
A report prepared for councillors by the manager of risk and assurance services, Richard Hall, said the council used private investigators on tenancy-related matters, to investigate staff suspected of fraud and theft, and in legal cases against ratepayers.
The council's insurers also used private investigators to protect their interest on claims made under council insurance policies, but this practice was outside the direct control of the council, he said.
In the report, Mr Hall said Mrs Fisher had initially commented that the practice of council officers using private investigators for tenancy and internal staff matters seemed "practical and acceptable."
The council has accepted a recommendation from Mr Hall to continue the practice of allowing senior staff to use private investigators until Mrs Fisher completes her review.
Once it is completed, the council is likely to bring in new guidelines for the use of private investigators, including being informed every time a private investigator is used.
The Herald has sought details under the Official Information Act from Mr Taylor on the Chisholm investigation and the extent of the use of private investigators.
Mr Taylor has still to reply to a list of questions.
Meanwhile, Mrs Fisher is due to become the sole complaints consultant for the council in May.
Retired High Court judge Robert Smellie, QC, is stepping down as the complaints consultant after being appointed last August to set up an independent review officer to investigate serious grievances against the council.
Councillors voted this week for the office to continue in the coming financial year at a cost of $50,000 from the mayoral office budget.
Councillors rejected a plea from councillor Maire Leadbeater to spend $30,000 on a pilot for a Peace Foundation mediator, Margaret Stanners, to work on problems at the community level.
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