As the LGC points out, we are at a crossroads. While the four councils are reasonably viable today, it doubts that they will be able to deliver good governance and meet the community's future needs and expectations.
A single council dealing with the "big picture" - strategy, policy, budgeting, planning - would deliver efficiencies, savings and productivity improvement and reduce duplication. For example, we have four district and regional plans, and why do we need four CEOs, four CFOs etc in Northland? Recruiting talent and experience to perform these roles to a standard that ratepayers are entitled to expect is a challenge.
Aggregating technical and planning expertise will contribute to improved planning. We would not, however, expect these to translate into rate reductions, as they are likely to be used for improved services or investment.
With regard to very important local representation, the proposed Coastal North, Te Hiku and Hokianga-Kaikohe wards would be able to focus on the places where we live and work. For example, the Coastal North Ward covers a similar area to the former Bay of Islands County, and would be able to focus on local governance of the BOI. The BOI has not been well served by the FNDC with its diverse communities of interest.
However, the local representation proposed by the LGC is currently dependent on community boards, and community boards have no statutory powers. Their powers are granted or removed at the council's pleasure, and may be disestablished, which would terminate the proposed local democracy.
A local board, however, like in Auckland, has powers conferred by Parliament, it cannot be disestablished and it must have funds allocated to it. It has powers to plan via a three-year plan.
Other powers are delegated to it by the council, but in general decision-making responsibility for a matter relating to its area is to be allocated to it by council. It is quite different to a community board, but the enabling legislation will not be before Parliament until about July.
A single unitary authority is supported in principle, with one Mayor speaking for all, a single council looking after the big picture and seven local wards for local representation, subject to it being essential that we have local boards, not community boards to ensure real democratic local governance and decision-making.
However, since the legislation will not be passed until July, it is proposed that the LGC should delay its decision until afterwards so that we have greater confidence about the powers available to a local board. There seems no reason for haste.
Subject to legislation enabling local boards being passed satisfactorily, a single unitary authority would be the most suitable governance structure for Northland, and an opportunity to take us into the future, subject also that each local board is well resourced to efficiently plan for its area and administer its delegated powers.
ROD BROWN
Vision Kerikeri
