The Local Government Forum is very interested in all developments around the Auckland amalgamation and will be submitting on the detail. All other regions should be watching what is happening in Auckland closely as it is clear that after the next General Election, once Auckland has been bedded down, that
attention will inevitably shift to Wellington and other areas where there is clear potential for efficiency gains to be had from amalgamation.
It would be sensible for these regions to be planning now for change, and rather than waiting for a solution to be imposed on them, to be working out what will suit them best as a region and going to central Government with their own proposals.
I am confident Government will listen to any such proposals and will want to help with delivery.
The Local Government Forum also supports the proposals for changes to the Local Government Act. There are important issues over the transparency and accountability of local government which need addressing. Likewise there are plenty of examples of local government straying outside their areas of competency or their normally expected roles.
Legislation setting out clearly what these roles are, and procedures to be followed should local government propose an expansion of roles is therefore well timed.
Some new disciplines on scope to increase rates would also be welcome.
* Charles Finny is Chief Executive Officer of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce
