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Successful hui on local government reform
September 26, 2012
Successful hui on local government reform
Elected members from all councils across the Wellington region met yesterday to share their views on possible Local Government Reform.
The meeting was initiated by Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan and chaired by Mayoral Forum chair Wayne Guppy, Mayor of Upper Hutt City.
More than 70 elected members took part, including representatives from the Greater Wellington Regional Council. Members of the Independent Review Panel chaired by Sir Geoffrey Palmer were also present to hear the cross-region exchange.
The meeting was briefed on the Bill before Parliament by Jonathan Salter from Simpson Grierson before elected members from each of the councils outlined what discussions had been happening in their respective areas. A general discussion then took place on future possible developments.
“It was a very good meeting and timely,” said Mayor Guppy. “The atmosphere was congenial and cooperative. It was clear a great deal of discussion and work was underway across the region with different councils and communities at different stages.
“There was some discussion about how the various strands of work could be progressed; the need to avoid duplication; whether the various strands of work could be brought to the one forum; and the merits of a joint approach to the Local Government Commission at some stage in the future.”
Mayor Rowan said feedback from Parliament suggested the option of no change across the region was unlikely to be acceptable.
“Clearly each community has a point of view which is important and should be considered. That’s democracy. Yesterday was a chance to share our various views in an organized way to identify possible common ground as we head towards the end of October.”
Greater Wellington chair Fran Wilde said there was a consensus at the hui that the various local authorities should wait for the Palmer Panel to report its findings in late October and then explore areas of common ground at a Zone 4 meeting of representatives in early November. Some thought the Zone 4 meeting could be enlarged to include specific stakeholder groups such as the DHBs and iwi.
“It was also felt a single approach to the Local Government Commission from the local territorial authorities had merit.”
ENDS
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