Whanganui councillors go virtual

No district councillors allowed, at least not while attending meetings.

They've been told they can't log-in from the bowling green but Whanganui's district councillors can attend meetings virtually from now on.

Attending meetings from afar via technology may be common in business but for the city's elected representatives it hasn't been an option.

A change to council's standing orders, adopted at its last full meeting this month, changed all that.

With the permission of the chairperson, councillors may now attend meetings via audio or audio and visual link - such as Skype on a laptop, or similar technology.

But there are fish-hooks.

"That won't mean you can log in from the bowling green," Mayor Hamish McDouall quickly pointed out.

Persmission will be given to councillors who are away on business or for some other good reason can't attend a council or committee meeting in person.

To vote, virtual councillors will need to be logged-in for the duration of a debate. If their link is lost, or they wander off to attend to a call of nature or make a coffee, they will not have voting rights.

Helen Craig praised the change saying there were occassions last year when she was unable to attend meetings due to other commitments. "This would have fully allowed me to attend the debate and vote," she said.

Kate Joblin said it was the modern age and that council should embrace the change. "If it doesn't work, or is abused, we can change it."

Other issues discussed included the retention of a chairperson's casting vote, if needed.

Mayor McDouall vowed to never use his but supported its retention.