In a joint statement on behalf of the Christchurch City Council, Christchurch City Mayor Bob Parker and chief executive Tony Marryatt have declared there is justification for much of the recent negative feedback from the community about Mr Marryatt’s role and the performance of the Christchurch City Council in general.

The statement says: “We have listened to and read the criticism that’s been made and recognise and agree that what many people are saying is justified. We accept that there needs to be change because, at a time like this, people need to feel and to know there’s a steady, strong, sympathetic and more visible hand running their City Council.”

It promised that this year the CEO will be out and about in the community “in order to listen, learn and act on what people are thinking and feeling about their council. In the past this role has been left to the Mayor and councillors but recent events have shown that this needs to change.”

Mr Parker and Mr Marriott’s statement acknowledged there has also been criticism of the council’s communications division.  “As a result, we have commissioned an independent audit and review of the communication function to identify what we’re doing well and what needs to improve, in particular: the processes, structure and systems used to communicate internally and externally.

This is actually something our communications team was planning to initiate in the middle of 2010 but then the earthquakes intervened. It’s timely to revive it now.

The audit and review, which is estimated to cost about $80,000, will involve discussion with up to 120 people within the council and the Christchurch community as well as an analysis of the council’s communication materials. It is likely to involve a public survey of a representative sample of ratepayers.

The full report will be made public as soon as it is received by councillors.