QLDC elected member Esther Whitehead has told Crux in this week's podcast that the way councillors "have been overridden, purposely or not" on Alliance roading budget blowouts is behind her decision not to stand in the next Queenstown local elections.
"We as councillors are held to account. I'm held to account as a councillor. Frankly I won't be putting myself in that position next term because I won't be standing. That's because I'm held to account but I have no control. The alliance has been proof of that, the way councillors have been overridden, purposely or not."
Ms Whitehead told Crux that an external review of roading alliance council oversight commissioned by the QLDC had not fully exposed deficiencies in the current system of governance.
She believes a different style of council leadership, with more openness, collaboration and "soft skills" could make a difference to the current QLDC culture.
This is virtually the same message that has come through in the first two Crux podcast episodes with councillors Cody Tucker and Matt Wong - total responsibility with no control.
Episode 6. Esther Whitehead - full interview