Editorial: Strong, single voice would help North

John Bain is an elected member of the Northland District Health Board and Northland Regional Council _ this is his personal view of the proposal for a single unitary authority for the region.

I am writing this as an individual and not as the view of the organisations I represent, although many would agree with my thoughts.

My position is not fixed at this point and I am waiting to listen to the citizens of Northland before I cement my vote in any direction.

Many cynics would say that by not considering any alternatives the incumbent local body politicians are "turkeys not wanting an early Christmas", however there are several who see the unitary as a positive way forward. One voice and more community influence in decision-making in their elective wards.

One voice when speaking to central government has been our great weakness for quite a number of years, as we have sent mixed messages by sellingideas and projects to Government agencies from up to four councils which don't always match because there has been no common proposal given. Northland has missed out because many have not taken us seriously with the disjointed approach. A positive outcome of a unitary authority would be a singular strong voice spoken in Wellington coming from all of Northland.

I think with seven wards which are representative of the communities in which they have been set, with six or so local community board members in each, all having a budget to spend on local needs, we can have better involvement with the differing wants and desires of all the citizens in Northland. The board members would be answerable to their constituents and have an avenue to the unitary board. The geographic position of the community boards, town or country, would not be influenced by anyone other than those who live in each ward.

The Northland Unitary Council would handle, for example, the major works, roads, environment, water, sewerage, and financial controls. It would set rates and audit all activity and pay all wages and accounts through a single system.

The benefit of attracting prices for one authority has the obvious result with economy of scale, and we have good people all over Northland who have expertise to ensure good practise with contracting, so we should use the best person for the job regardless of where they live and work.

The satellite offices would be manned to give the same service to everyone, so that projects such as building permits etc could be issued at any office for construction in any part of Northland because of the links that could and should be put in place.

While I have used the term community boards to explain the above, the legislation will be passed in Parliament to put "local boards" into being, with fixed financial responsibilities not to be at the whim of the major authority, this could be Northland in the future.

These thoughts should start some discussion and while I am sure there are those who have a fear of change, it is generally better to design your own change rather than having change thrust upon you from outside agencies.

As said at the beginning, I am interested in other opinions before fixing my position. Feel free to drop me a line or write to the editor.