7 August 2018

Lower Hutt residents now have four weeks to have their say on how they elect their councillors and how they are represented at ward and community level.

Hutt City Council is reviewing how Lower Hutt residents are represented at Council, in preparation for the 2019 local body elections.

Council recently agreed to a draft proposal that would maintain the current way the Mayor and Councillors are elected and the present structure of community boards and panels.

However, it proposes a review of community panels, which were established last year, in three years to gauge their effectiveness at representing their communities. The review was originally scheduled in six years’ time.

The final shape of representation arrangements in Lower Hutt will depend on formal public submissions over the next month.

Council Manager, Strategy and Planning Wendy Moore says, as local government decisions have the most important and direct impacts on our lives, it is important for residents to take an interest in the review.

“Representation of residents at Council is where and how people can have the greatest influence on issues that impact on their lives now and decades into the future. That’s a compelling reason for Lower Hutt people to take an interest in this review.”

In the lead-up to drafting the proposal, Council undertook two surveys to gauge public opinion and held workshops with community board and panel members and Councillors.

Council is required to review and consult on the way residents are represented at Council at least once every six years, under the Local Electoral Act 2001.

To view the draft proposal and make a submission, go to huttcity.govt.nz/representation

Submissions close at 5pm on 3 September 2018. Council will then decide whether to amend its proposal or not. The final representation proposal will then be publically notified and people have the opportunity to lodge an appeal or objection.

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