Western Bay council signals changes to community boards

Western Bay of Plenty District Council mayor Garry Webber said the council's proposed representation arrangements for future elections was the "most pragmatic" solution. Photo / File

The Western Bay of Plenty District mayor, Garry Webber, said the council's proposed representation arrangements for future elections was the "most pragmatic" solution. Photo/File A_310818aw08bop.jpg.

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has decided to retain the same number of elected representatives but has signalled changes to community boards and council committees.

The council yesterday adopted a final proposal for the six-yearly review of its representation arrangements for the 2019 and 2022 triennial elections, which is still subject to an appeal process.

At a full council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to retain the current 11 elected members and a mayor.

The proposal would see the retention of the first-past-the-post voting system retained.

The council also unanimously adopted a proposal to introduce a mix of community boards and ward councillor committees from the 2019 election.

Waihi Beach, Maketū and Te Puke community boards would be retained, while there would be a minor boundary adjustment for the Katikati Community Board between Katikati/Waihi Beach and Kaimai Wards.

Councillors also voted to disestablish the Ōmokoroa Community Board.

Also proposed is the establishment of ward councillor committees in the Kaimai Ward which includes Omokoroa; the eastern end of the Maketu-Te Puke Ward and the Matakana Island and Rangiwaea Island parts of the existing Katikati/Waihi Beach Ward.

This means from 2019 subject to any appeal process, the council would have four community boards, Waihi Beach, Katikati, Maketu and Te Puke, and three ward councillor committees, Kaimai; Eastern and Matakana/Rangiwaea Islands.

The council undertook a consultation process to better understand the Western Bay community's views. It included mailouts to every household in the district and nine have-your-say community meetings, and this feedback had helped the council to make its decision.

Mayor Garry Webber said this decision was the "most pragmatic" solution that the council could achieve to acknowledge the wishes of all the district's communities.

"While I know not everyone will be pleased with the decision, we have done our very best to ensure everyone in the district is fairly and better represented going forward," he said

"We believe this proposal will satisfy the requests of the large majority of submitters and shows that we have listened to what the community wants, and have responded."

Councillor Kevin Marsh said he believed this was the "right thing to do" as it would help deliver a " fairer and more effective" representation system across the district.

Councillor Margaret Murray-Benge agreed.

The proposed changes were the "most effective" way of ensuring people had greater "direct access to elected members", and she was excited by the "opportunities" that offered.

The final proposal will be publicly notified on October 2018, followed by a one-month appeal and objection period which runs until November 2.

If any appeals or objections are received a final determination will be made by the Local Government Commission by April next year.

Maketū Community Board chairman Shane Beech said he applauded the councillors for making the "best decision" which would help deliver a fairer representation model for all.