Manukau submission for Auckland Governance finalised

Manukau City Council has agreed its position on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill, and will forward its submission to the select committee.

Submissions close today.

Mayor of Manukau, Len Brown, says he is pleased with the in-depth discussion that has occurred within the council on the bill, and believes Manukau’s submission reflects a common view of the elected members.

“This council has engaged fully in this process and our discussions and deliberations have resulted in a submission that is both thorough and, I believe, pragmatic.

“Manukau City Council accepts the creation of a unitary council, and we see huge advantages for Auckland in having one rating bill and one district plan.

“Where we differ significantly from the government’s view is the role and function of the second tier of local government, - local boards or, as we prefer to call them, community councils.

“We are very keen to see these local boards empowered and the number restricted to between 12 and 17. We also believe that councillors should be elected on a ward basis, and that there should be direct Maori representation on the new Auckland Council.”

Some key aspects of Manukau City Council’s submission are:

* All Auckland Councillors to be elected on a ward basis
* The Local Government Commission should determine the number of ward councillors, with a minimum of 20
* There should be direct Maori representation on the Auckland Council
* There should be between 12 and 17 local boards (community councils)
* The membership of local boards to be between 4 and 12 (or more)
* Local boards should be empowered to

i. Be responsible for making all local decisions within the regional strategic framework
ii. Have input into the development of regional policies, strategies and plans and must give effect to these regional policies, strategies and plans within their local areas
iii. Have a key role in place-shaping and community development
iv. Must undertake local long-term planning, including the development of a Long Term Community Plan and Annual Plan for their area

* Auckland Council to provide local boards with facilities and with access to, and support from, specialist staff with a range of skills and expertise to allow local boards to undertake their roles and functions
* In regards to amendments to the southern boundary of the Auckland region, that reference to the Mangatawhiri River and Mangatangi Stream catchments and the part of the Franklin District between Mangatangi Stream catchment and the Firth of Thames be deleted from the bill

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* Watercare to remain in public ownership.

Manukau City Council has also decided to comment on its preferred electoral system (First Past the Post and Single Transferrable Vote) when it presents to the select committee.

Mr Brown says he is looking forward to presenting the view of council to the select committee when it commences hearings the week of 6 July.

“The government has given us the opportunity to have input into Auckland’s governance model through the select committee process, and we will certainly make our voice heard,” he says.

“As a council we urge the select committee to listen to the many arguments that will be put before it, and take into consideration not only the view of councils like Manukau, but the views of the many organisations, community groups and the general public who have mobilised around this issue.

“There has been a huge up-swell of community involvement and interest as a result of this bill, any many people who have never before been involved in a select committee process have put pen to paper, and are asking to be heard.

“The government is only going to have one chance at getting this right. It is imperative that the select committee be prepared to make the changes needed to make the new Auckland Council, and the local boards, a success.”

ENDS

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