The Christchurch City Council Communications Committee met yesterday to discuss the draft Terms of Reference for the planned Communications Audit and Review.

It proposed a number of amendments. The amended draft Terms of Reference will be considered by the Council at their meeting on Thursday 8 March.

Councillor Yani Johanson, Chairperson of the Communications Committee, says, “The Communications Committee was asked by the Council to consider the draft Terms of Reference for the Audit/Review. We had a very productive discussion and have suggested several amendments. These include:

• Changing the background section to include wider reference to the information and communication issues confronting the Council prior to the earthquakes, and the significance of improved communications post disaster as part of a good recovery strategy.
• Looking at communications between Council units so that the ‘left hand knows what the right hand is doing’.
• Reviewing formal and informal communications between Council staff and elected members.
• Finding out about public criticism, to see if it is focused on the actions of the Council or if it is about how the Council communicates.

Councillor Johanson says these amendments have been put forward to strengthen the review process if it proceeds.

“At a previous Council meeting there was a request to receive legal advice over the implications of withdrawing from the contracted review. The Committee was briefed on this matter, but the decision ultimately rests with the full Council. It will also be presented at the 8 March meeting.

“The Committee also decided to meet regularly throughout the next three months given the importance and urgency with which it was felt communications needed to be looked at and improved,” he says.