GDC leads charge on independent assessment

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

GISBORNE District Council is to be among the first to voluntarily put its work forward for independent marking.

Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule confirmed that Gisborne District Council was one of 21 councils from across New Zealand to sign up for the new local government standards system.

The system was being set up to give communities a clear and independent picture of how well their council was serving the community, and to give councils information on where they can improve.

Mr Yule said the “strong support” shown for the system showed a desire within the sector to raise performance and deliver better outcomes for communities.

“To have nearly a third of the sector put their hands up to become what we are calling foundation councils and be the first to be assessed is fantastic.

“To me it shows a commitment from the sector to lifting and demonstrating our performance so that the communities we serve can have greater confidence in what we do and how we do it.

“Whether it’s financial decision making, the way we communicate and engage with the community, our governance and leadership, or our service delivery and asset management, all councils will likely have areas they can improve on. Most councils will also have areas they excel in. The programme will highlight both the good and the areas for progress, and chart a way forward for local government improvement.”

Participating councils would be assessed by independent experts, who would award councils an A, B or C rating, the results of which would be shared with the public.

GDC chief executive Judy Campbell said the new programme would facilitate improvements and benchmark the council’s service to the community.

“The council is committed to improving our processes and how we service the community," she said.

“We’re pleased to be announced as one of the councils selected for this standards programme and to share the results with our community.”

Assessments will begin for an initial group of councils from July 1 this year and continue into 2017. The first results would be available from around the middle of next year.

Local Government New Zealand was appointing an independent board to oversee the programme.