Ombudsman launches 'urgent' investigation into Wellington City CouncilCOLLETTE DEVLIN/STUFF Wellington City Council is being investigated by the Ombudsman over its failure to release information on the development of Shelly Bay to ratepayers. An independent public watchdog is investigating Wellington City Council for refusing to share information with ratepayers about the development of Shelly Bay. Ombudsman Leo Donnelly said he was undertaking an "urgent" investigation into the council's failure to respond to a Stuff request for information related to the $500 million development and its infrastructure, which will come at cost to city ratepayers. READ MORE:* Ombudsman tells Wellington City Council to review information sharing procedures* Wellington ratepayers asked to contribute millions towards Shelly Bay infrastructureNot only did the council not respond within this timeframe, it also ignored a further directive from the Ombudsman on May 15 to comply with the law. A local authority's failure to make a decision and communicate it to the requester within the maximum time limit was deemed to be a refusal of a request, Donnelly said.

Source: Stuff July 26, 2017 04:18 UTC