\u201cI did find a number of financial mistakes and issues arising from executive-level decisions that cause concern at the governance level. <\/p>\n
\u201cI contend that the quantum of those issues, they would have arisen at least two years before they were reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my opinion, those mistakes should be picked up by the CEO who\u2019s responsible for, and I quote once again from the Local Government Act … the CEO maintains systems to enable effective planning and accurate financial and service performance for the local authority.\u201d<\/p>\n
Webber also raised concerns about staff retention during Holyoake\u2019s time in the role.<\/p>\n
Former Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber at Thursday’s Western Bay of Plenty District Council meeting. Photo \/ Alisha Evans<\/p>\n
The council\u2019s<\/a> senior leadership team had been recognised for excellence in the past, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat has changed in the last three years that led to the departure of several highly skilled, respected and experienced senior staff members, particularly from the finance team?\u201d<\/p>\n Webber questioned what impact the loss of staff and expertise had on the mistakes.<\/p>\n The 2025 Annual Report and the two previous years did not mention \u201cthe significant financial mistakes\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n These reports informed ratepayers, and they needed to hear the lowlights as well as the highlights, Webber said.<\/p>\n He said of the council: \u201cIn the last three years, you\u2019ve been brilliant at patting yourself on the back, but I think you\u2019ve had your head under the cushion when it comes to some of the issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Webber told Local Democracy Reporting Holyoake approached him to second his candidate nomination late on the day nominations closed. <\/p>\n Candidates must be nominated by two people registered to vote in the area they are standing.<\/p>\n Asked why he seconded Holyoake\u2019s nomination given his criticisms this week, Webber said he did not want to comment further.<\/p>\nCouncillor and mayoral candidate Margaret Murray-Benge. Photo \/ John Borren<\/p>\n