Gore’s mayor Ben Bell has rejected claims he acts with “presidential powers” and that his actions were causing mental stress on colleagues.
The country’s youngest local government leader will this week face a vote of no confidence from councillors – technically a symbolic move as Bell was elected by his constituents and cannot be forced to quit – over ongoing ructions around the council table.
Speaking to TVNZ’s Sunday last night, he described the claims, made by his own colleagues, as heartbreaking and said he would attempt to act even more humble in the future. But: “I don’t know how to fix something that I strongly disagree with,” Bell said.
Local Government NZ president Stuart Crosby, speaking to Newstalk ZB, said that there have been issues from the very beginning. “Ben attended what we call our mayor school and I found him to be a bright, articulate young mayor but even that matter of coming to our forum created issues back home so I think it’s an issue around relationships, style et cetera,” he told host Kate Hawkesby.
Before the weekend, Newsroom reported on long-running issues within the council that pre-date Bell’s election to the role. The Sunday piece also touched on some of these claims. Crosby said he was sure the Gore community wanted these issues resolved quickly and said it should have nothing to do with Bell’s age.
“We have always encouraged young people to stand for local government,” said Crosby. “To walk off the street and into the mayoral job… is challenging in the first instance and what you need to do, immediately, is develop practical working relationships with a range of people. The one with the CEO is probably the most important relationship you’ll need to build.”
Bell has thus far ignored calls from within his own council to step down.