$16K a good investment

I’ve criticised the Wellington City Council for some of its spending decisions, but it is petty to make a fuss over the $16,000 costs of a strategic planning retreat for 24 Councillors and senior staff.

Having taken part in a few myself, I absolutely agree they don’t work when done in your normal workplace.   You get distractions constantly.  And the benefits from a weekend dedicated to focusing on what you want to collectively achieve over the next three years can be immense.

And the team bonding nature of such events is important.  Almost all organisations work to some degree on the strength of personal and professional relationships. Now it is harder at WCC because you have politicians wanting to score points during the term, but the majority see the value in not being disruptive.
Of course that is not a license to go silly and have a week long session in Queenstown.  But two days in Martinborough at $600 a head total cost is not excessive.