Council's role surely is to provide information to all parties interested in possibly nominating for election, and by so doing provide the community with the opportunity to elect the best candidates to represent them regardless of gender.

I note the words used were that the mayor "was considering hosting a women's workshop early in the new year". And unless the mayor is also considering paying the cost personally, I thought that before doing so she might need to have the approval of council to expend ratepayers' funds.

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It is also indicated that the mid-year information session for all candidates will be conducted by the mayor and the general manager. Does this mean that the briefing will be based on the interpretation and application of the rules as followed in recent years by this council?

Under the Local Government Act 1993 [the Act], councils are established as largely independent and self-governing bodies with rights and powers conferred by law. They are, however, ultimately accountable to their community for their actions.

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They are elected to represent the community and accountable to them when they fail to do so. Although councillors need to be able to expect a degree of faith and trust, they should understand this comes with accountability and that ensuring overall community harmony is important.

When elected, councillors are responsible for: "directing and controlling the council's works and activities in accordance with the Act. This includes allocating resources for the benefit of the local area and reviewing council's performance, it's delivery of services, management plans and revenue policies."

Although councillors delegate authority and guidelines for implementation of council activities to the general manager, they cannot abdicate responsibility.

This is regardless of any protestations by the general manager or others re operational interference when they raise a query or seek further detailed information.

I believe that all candidates with the perceived personal attributes should be encouraged to consider nominating with the view of having the best person elected to the job regardless of gender. We run into them every day.

Information sessions and training should be organised for all interested parties.

Included in the presentation re the role of councillors should also be the entitlement of councillors to make political comment on any matter of concern to them or of interest to the community.

They should understand these rights carefully to ensure that they are not bound to silence by a threat of a code of conduct breach.

There is also the aspect of the community's right to know about all matters not within the definition of the requirement for confidentiality.

If it is felt that special training or encouragement is required to give women the confidence to seek public office, then this, in my opinion, shows a lack of understanding of the capabilities and self-confidence of our local female population.

If any female community member decided to stand for election they would not need any encouragement, approval or invitation from the mayor to do so.