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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Northland public submission process now completeThe Local Government Commission has completed public hearings into proposed reform of council structures in Northland and is now analysing the information before deciding its next steps. Commission chief executive Donald Riezebos has released a summary of the public hearings process and identified several points which submitters asked the Commission to consider further. Mr Riezebos also noted that Parliament’s Local Government and Environment Select Committee has reported back on proposed changes to the Local Government Act which allow for greater use of local boards within council structures. The bill is now awaiting its second reading. Mr Riezebos said the Commissioners held public hearings and met iwi and hapu in ten locations throughout Northland over 15 days between 5 and 30 April 2014. “The Commission travelled to Dargaville, Mangawhai, Whangarei, Waitangi, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Leigh, Kaeo and the Waipoua Forest. Almost 200 people spoke to their submissions and discussed their ideas for the best shape of local government in Northland,” Mr Riezebos said. “The public hearings process has been highly valuable. The input from individuals, councils, iwi and hapu, business groups, community groups, employers and union representatives has helped the process immensely. We have always been open to hearing if there are better ideas for the future shape of local government in Northland. “The Commission will now give careful thought to the ideas and questions raised during the submissions process. It is grateful for the effort and preparation that many submitters put into their arguments and can give an assurance to all those involved that they have been heard.” Mr Riezebos said the next steps in the process are guided by a number of requirements in law. The Commission is able to undertake further inquiries and consultation with other groups, if needed. It then has four options: issue the draft proposal as a final proposal; modify the draft and issue it as a final proposal; issue a new draft proposal based on a different option for local government in Northland; decide not to issue a final proposal at all. Full details of the draft proposal and written public submissions lodged on the draft proposal are now also available for viewing on the Commission’s website www.lgc.govt.nz |
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