30 October, 2013

Shepherd new NRC Chairman, Ramsey deputy

Coastal North representative Bill Shepherd will lead the new nine-member Northland Regional Council with Kaipara councillor Graeme Ramsey as his deputy.

Councillors were officially sworn in at their first meeting in Whangarei today (subs: Weds 30 Oct), electing Crs Shepherd and Ramsey unopposed in one of the first official acts of their three-year term.

Councillor Shepherd, 68, is a dairy farmer and company director from Purua.

He says Northland’s political landscape had changed markedly with the October 12 elections, including new mayors in both the Far North and Whangarei Districts and five new councillors on the nine-member regional council, including himself.

That would provide both opportunities – and challenges – going forward, however, he was committed to forging a strong collaborative team both with his fellow councillors and the region’s other local body leaders.

One of his first tasks as new chair would be to meet with his fellow councillors individually over the next couple of days to discuss their strengths and interests and how these might be aligned with any new committee structures. He also hoped to meet with Far North Mayor John Carter and his Whangarei counterpart Sheryl Mai shortly.

Councillor Shepherd says potential local government reform is one of the key issues facing Northland and he looks forward to working across local government boundaries to try to secure the best outcome for the region as a whole.

While the future is very much on his mind, he says it’s important to acknowledge the work of his predecessor, Craig Brown, and all the other members of the previous council for their contributions.

The Chairman’s role carries a remuneration package of $106,650, which includes a vehicle. The Deputy Chairman is paid $73,780 and councillors a base salary of $52,700.

Today’s meeting – which followed a powhiri earlier in the day – was largely administrative with councillors briefed on the code of conduct and legislation affecting them, as well as standing orders and other matters.

They are expected to decide upon their committee structure – including who will chair those committees – next month.

ENDS

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