Hide: Local boards will get bulk cash

Auckland's Super City council will would bulk-fund local boards and let them set local rates for special projects in their communities, says Local Government Minister Rodney Hide.

Mr Hide yesterday gave more detail about the 20 to 30 locals boards that will operate under the Government's proposed Super Auckland Council.

The Government given only sparse "high-level" details about the roles and functions of the local boards, which will include responsibility for things such as dog control, graffiti and advocating for their communities.

This has prompted claims the local boards will be toothless and Auckland Council councillors will become bogged down in small issues at the expense of regional issues.

Speaking at an Employers and Manufacturers breakfast in Auckland yesterday, Mr Hide said the local boards would not be able to hire staff.

But he said they would get a bulk allocation of staff and funding from the Auckland Council to perform services still to be defined.

Local boards would also be able to ask the Auckland Council to set rates for projects in their communities. They would have to get the community to agree, rather than dip into the Auckland Council pool.

Ratepayers would still get one Auckland Council rates bill, but it could include a local component for items such as a new swimming pool.

The concept of "targeted rates" was recommended by the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance.

Mr Hide indicated the Government also wanted to address geographical and income disparities among local boards.

Communities of interest, rather than population size, would determine the boundaries of local boards.

"We want local areas to be different, to reflect that difference. At the same time we want there to be efficiencies and simplicity and benefits of having one plan, one approach, wherever we can."

Mr Hide is expected to introduce legislation to Parliament tomorrow that will give the public an opportunity to comment on the powers and functions of local boards.

The public will also be able to make submissions to a select committee on the issue of councillors elected at large to the Auckland Council.

The Government favours eight councillors elected at large and 12 councillors elected in wards.

There are fears the system will favour political blocs and the rich and famous who can afford city-wide campaigns. The argument in favour of councillors at large is they will provide a greater region-wide and strategic perspective on the council.

Mr Hide is also expected to introduce another bill, establishing the Auckland Council as a legal entity and a transition agency, that will be passed under urgency.

Details of the bills are to be given today. Labour's Auckland issues spokesman Phil Twyford said the party wanted the bills before today so it could properly consider the legislation.

"The Government rushed its response to the royal commission's proposals, is refusing to give Aucklanders the right to vote on its quite different plan ... and is so far refusing to allow Opposition MPs the right to see the bills before they have to vote on them," he said.