Kaipara mayor Greg Gent has spoken out over the Government terminating the appointment of a Crown manager on a technicality, leaving the council without expertise to manage outstanding historical legal matters.
Associate Local Government Minister Jacqui Dean last week withdrew Peter Winder from KDC after just nine months due to concerns about "potential technical flaws" with his appointment and the Terms of Reference.
Peter Winder was appointed as Crown manager on July 7, 2016 by the then Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston for a three-year term to manage outstanding legal matters relating to past issues, including rates challenges in respect of the Mangawhai wastewater sewerage scheme.
Ms Dean said matters relating to ministerial powers of assistance and intervention in local government matters under the Local Government Act 2002 were not explicitly referred to in the gazetted notice of Mr Winder's appointment.
"These are potential flaws, but we are taking a cautionary approach to avoid any doubt.