Representation Review – Initial Proposal now open for submissions.

Submissions are being sought on Council’s Initial Proposal of their Representation Review.

Following public submissions and feedback, Council agreed on August 27 to an Initial Proposal to apply for the elections to be held on 12 October 2019.

The Initial Proposal is:

Council representation

That Council comprise 15 Councillors and the Mayor, and that they are all elected on a city-wide basis, with no wards to be established.

This is no change to the present arrangements.

The Council considers Palmerston North comprises a single community of interest which covers the whole city. The city also comprises many secondary communities of interest based on individual suburbs and villages, but it would not be practicable for each community to be represented by an individual Councillor.

The proposed number of Councillors will enable the workload to be shared and will promote diversity.

Community board representation

It is proposed that no communities or community boards be established in Palmerston North.

This is no change to the present arrangements. The Council is satisfied that the city does not include any communities that are sufficiently distinct to require representation of this nature.

A Representation Review is carried out every six years under the Local Electoral Act 2001. Councils are required to review their representation arrangements.

The consultation on the Initial Proposal opens on 29 August and submissions close on 8 October 2018. Submitters will also have the option of presenting their views at the Extraordinary Council meeting on 24 October 2018.

Any adopted changes resulting from this review will apply to the 2019 local government elections.

Representation Review booklets that include submissions forms are available in city libraries and the PNCC Customer Service Centre.

Online submission forms and further information are available on Council’s website: pncc.govt.nz/consultations

Further information on the Representation Review is available on the Local Government website: lgc.govt.nz

Ends

© Scoop Media