Changes to SuperCity Bill reassuring

Success will be in hands of locally elected members of Council and Boards.

[Comment from David Thornton on report of Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill]

First glance at the report of the Select Committee Committee on Auckland Governance should reassure most Aucklanders that many of the fears about SuperCity will prove unwarranted.

Changes proposed to the final Bill on Auckland Governance should convince most Aucklanders that the success or otherwise of local government reform for the region is being placed squarely in the hands of those elected to the new Auckland Council in October.

The big questions about accountability of the Council Controlled Organisations have been addressed by introducing legislation which enables the elected Auckland Council to set additional rules for reporting and accountability generally.

The changes also allow the new Auckland Council to replace any Government-appointed directors as soon as the Council assumes office.

The Minister of Local Government has indicated that he will also leave some vacancies on CCO boards allowing the new council to make its own appointments to fill those vacancies.

Concerns about the powers of Local Boards have also been addressed by commentary on the expected powers which the Committee expect to see in the list of initial delegations due to be released by the Auckland Transition Agency in the near future.

It is clear that the new Local Boards will have considerable powers – less than the powers of the present councils, but considerably more than existing community boards.

The membership limits on Local Boards has also been lifted to allow a maximum of 12 members and a minimum of five members.

Local community organizations should be reassured by changes which confirm their currently agreed funding level will stay until at least June 2012, which gives time for Local Boards to agree funding for the years beyond 2012 – possibly as far as 2022.

For those considering standing for election the Bill requires the Remuneration Authority to decide on payment levels for members of the Governing Body and for Local Board members.

[David Thornton is currently a member of Glenfield Community Board, Founder/organiser NoMoreRates.com, chairman Glenfield Ratepayers, Chairman Glenfield Community Centre, - and formerly North Shore City Councillor, member of Auckland Regional Land Transport Committee and member Greater London Council]

ENDS

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