Local Board Survey: Waiheke

The New Zealand Herald has surveyed the 21 local boards to see how they are getting on after six months of the Super City.

The Herald asked the chairs of the local boards six questions and to score the first four questions out of 10. Not all boards gave a score.

Here are the responses from Faye Storer, chairwoman of the Waiheke board.

1. After six months, how well is the local board model working for your community?

Score: 8/10

The Board model is working well because the members are making it work. However, it is not operating to capacity because the necessary resources, responsibilities, delegations and budgets have not been allocated to us.

2. How are things going between your local board and the Auckland Council governing body)?

Score: 7/10

The Governing Body has their responsibilities and the local boards have theirs. The relationship is mutually beneficial.

3. How are things going between your local board and the CCOs?

Score: 6/10

Some of the CCO's, such as Auckland Transport are making a big effort to relate and work with the Local Boards. Others are still struggling.

4. Do you think local boards are living up to the promise of empowering communities?

Score: 5/10

Not yet. Like many 'bright' ideas, the model wasn't thought through. A six month cross-over of work with the old councils was necessary to have it up and running by the required 1st November takeover date. Currently local boards are playing second fiddle to the bureaucracy, community forums and statutory boards and are simply marking time on a lot of issues until a budget comes through.

5. What improvements would you like to see made to the local board model? (No score required)

The Boards need clear delegated responsibilities and adequate budgets - from the outset. They shouldn't have to scratch around for the few crumbs that are left over.

6. Please feel free to comment on any other issues about the local board model.

The reason the model is working as well as it is is due to the hard work and good will of elected members and some staff. We have been extremely polite and forgiving about the unfinished model we are now attempting to refine.