Simon Watts: Local Government Minister on the move to restrict council voting to elected members

The Local Government Minister says most councils will be affected by the Government’s overhaul of committee voting rights.  A Bill amendment will strip voting rights from unelected members —including iwi and youth representatives— on council committees.  Simon Watts told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's open to further changes down the track, but acknowledges some unelected members still bring value to local decision-making.  He says there are emergency management committees that have specific expertise, for example.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.