This is the third article in our ongoing series explaining the Government’s proposed reforms for local government. Our earlier articles outlined the rates‑capping proposals and the upcoming changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA). This week, we turn to the Government’s idea of what simplified local government looks like.
The changes propose to fundamentally alter the structure and function of regional councils. The central change is replacing elected regional councillors with Combined Territories Boards (CTB) made up of mayors within each region. The boards will perform all regional council responsibilities, including environmental management, regional transport and civil defence. They would also be required to take on additional responsibilities under the proposed RMA reform.
Each CTB would be required to develop a Regional Reorganisation Plan within two years. These plans must outline how councils within the region could work together more effectively. Options that CTBs will be expected to consider include shared services, joint council‑controlled organisations, and potential amalgamations.
If none of this sounds simple to you, it’s because it isn’t. We oppose the Government’s idea of simplicity and have made a submission outlining several concerns. We have highlighted the proposal’s lack of clarity around costs, risks and impacts on rural communities. We have noted the potential for a reduced ‘local say’ under larger regional structures and raised questions about increased centralisation. We believe that the reform is short sighted and risks causing long-term damage to public trust in local government.
Council opposes any proposal that might appease taxpayers but comes at the expense of ratepayers. Every reform proposed by the Government has been unfunded; the scale of their ambition is not matched by the scale of their investment. Council will keep advocating for our fair share of funding from the Government and fight for our community so that we don’t have to pick up the tab for their incessant legislative changes.
You can read Council’s submission and learn more about the reform at waimatedc.govt.nz/reforms
