Law secured the most votes in this year’s election.
He said he would continue to vote against any rates rises above the level of household inflation, and was keen to review parking in the central city as soon as possible.
Councillors were sworn in on October 30.
Tripe said there was no need to rush the appointment.
“We are early on in the triennium, and we haven’t had a council meeting yet,” he said.
“I wanted to have proper conversations with everyone and reflect, not just on the deputy mayor role but the governance structure.”
Tripe said Law was “an innovative, different thinker” who would challenge the status quo.
“That’s important in local government, when things can be a bit staid and static.
“He might have to adjust his style at times, but I’ve got expectations of the deputy mayor and all councillors to be collegial, collaborative, and accepting of each other.
“I’m looking forward to the team working well together.”
Law said he was concerned about potential costs for the Whanganui Port redevelopment and upgrading the Royal Whanganui Opera House.
“The bigger one is ensuring services are met while keeping rates low, especially with inflation.
“But I think it’s going to be fine. We have the right people around the table, with different skillsets.
“The main job I want to do as deputy is to help bring out those skillsets more.”
New governance structure
Tripe said the council’s projects and grants committee would not continue for the next term, with its functions absorbed by the operations and performance committee, chaired by councillor Rob Vinsen.
“Some aspects of operations and performance have been taken out and put into regulatory [committee],” he said.
“The regulatory committee has been there in the past, but hasn’t had much scope or grunt to it. I’m looking to increase its responsibilities to balance the workload.”
That committee will be chaired by councillor Charlotte Melser.
In a statement, the council said Andrew Turner would continue as independent chair of the council-controlled organisations (CCO) and economic growth committee.
The council’s commercial arm, Whanganui District Holdings Ltd, would be wound down this term, with its subsidiary companies soon to be reporting directly to the committee, it said.
There are two vacancies for two independent members on the CCO committee.
Councillor Glenda Brown will chair the strategy and performance committee and the chief executive performance committee, and Susan Kosmala returns as the independent chair of the risk and assurance committee.
Tripe said the council’s governance structure had worked well over the last three years, so there was no need for major changes.
“It was more about tweaks and efficiency.”
The first full council meeting of the term is at 9.30am on November 25.
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.
