Local government Councils across the land are looking at amalgamations as part of creating a unitary local governing body. With the Governments decision re the demise of Waikato Regional Council, the current two-tier government is to finish. How big the boundaries, who will join with who, and how WRC responsibilities are absorbed, must all be worked out. The first deadline is 9 August. Submitting a proposal involving two or more councils gives Councils a head start. Central government is clear – “Lead your own reform or we will do it for you.” There is a lot of work to be done quickly in our region – with a minimum of grandstanding. It is a time to ‘lose one’s life to find the new one “, for our District Councils.
“The Minister of Local government visited The Coromandel on Friday, 5 June and one of his key meetings was with Mayors, and Councillors from across the electoral area represented by our MP Scott Simpson. This is a much larger area than Hauraki – Thames Coromandel Scott Simpson accompanied the Minister to the various meetings.
In attendance; from TCDC – The Mayor Peter Revell, Deputy Mayor John Grant and Councillors Rodley, Sinclair and Hampden and Rasmussen were present. From Hauraki – The Mayor Toby Adams, Deputy Mayor Paul Milner and Councillors Grey, Spicer, Croymans, Bates and Howell.
The Informer had a brief time with Minister Simon Watts following this gathering which was closed to the public. No doubt the group discussed the five criteria from the Department of Internal Affairs that must receive weight in the local government reform outcome.
- Financial sustainability and rating capacity.
- Infrastructure capability and service resilience.
- Local democracy, representation, and communities of interest.
- Efficiency, effectiveness and reduced replication.
- Legal implement ability – is it doable?
Simon Watts was very clear that, “We protect local voices through the structure and governance model” which will come about. His second emphasis in the interview was that all model and amalgamations must be ‘simple’. He did not say, ’simpler’ but “simple”.
As this goes to print, Hauraki District Council has announced four preferences that are possible, and these have been circulated. Each of these includes Thames-Coromandel District Council. TCDC has five Community Boards and a larger population, so the step of a survey which is a little later than others is very important. There are no options presented in the TCDC survey. However, the priorities of TCDC ratepayers which were made very clear in the time leading up to the last election, will not be forgotten.
It is a short time until 9 August. I urge the people of TCDC and Hauraki areas to have their say.
