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Regional Governance Committee
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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE REGIONAL GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

HELD ON THURSDAY, 3 APRIL 2008 AT 1:30 PM

PRESENT: Deputy Mayor David Hay, JP Chairperson
  Councillors Douglas Armstrong, QSO [From 1.37pm, Item 4.1]
    Aaron Bhatnagar  
  His Worship the Mayor Hon. John Banks, QSO [From 2.05pm, Item 5]
ALSO PRESENT: Councillor Leila Boyle  
  Councillor Cathy Casey  
  Councillor Bill Christian  
  Councillor Mark Donnelly  
  Councillor Graeme Easte  
  Councillor Paul Goldsmith  
  Councillor Denise Roche [Until 3.28pm, Item 6]
  Community Board Chairperson Colin Davis  
  Community Board Chairperson Christopher Dempsey  
  Community Board Chairperson Bruce Kilmister  
  Community Board Chairperson Desley Simpson  
  Community Board Member Hinu te Hau  

  1. Top APOLOGIES

    That the apologies from His Worship the Mayor, Hon John Banks for lateness and Councillor Richard Northey for non attendance be accepted.

    CARRIED

  2. Top CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

    That the minutes of the Regional Governance Committee meeting held on Thursday, 13 March 2008 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

    CARRIED

  3. Top EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

    There was no extraordinary business.

  4. Top PUBLIC FORUM

    4.1. "COST BENEFIT" ANALYSIS OF 1989 AMALGAMATIONS - PENNY BRIGHT

    Penny Bright addressed the Committee regarding her request to councils for information on the "cost benefit" analysis of the 1989 amalgamations.

    That Penny Bright be thanked for her presentation regarding the "cost benefit" analysis of the 1989 amalgamations.

    CARRIED

    4.2. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE REGIONAL GOVERNANCE DEBATE - LISA PRAGER

    Lisa Prager addressed the Committee regarding public involvement in the regional governance debate, who benefits and who is listening to who.

    That Lisa Prager be thanked for her presentation regarding public involvement in the regional governance debate.

    CARRIED

  5. Top FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY BOARD CHAIRS REPRESENTATIVE

    That Bruce Kilmister be thanked for his presentation and the information tabled be received.

    CARRIED

    [ATTACHMENT 5]

  6. Top ROYAL COMMISSION OFFICERS DRAFT SUBMISSION

    1. That the report of the Manager Strategy, dated 3 April 2008, and attachments be received noting the key elements of the suggested approach being:
      1. a single legal entity for the Auckland region
      2. one owner of all assets
      3. democratically elected, accountable and visible representatives
      4. regional leadership and a focus on places and people
      5. efficient and effective service delivery
      6. responsive services and empowered neighbourhoods
      7. providing areas within the region the freedom and flexibility to identify priorities and needs within a regional spatial framework.
    2. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that briefings and forums were organised for key stakeholders including Councillors, Community board members, business and industry organisations, arts and sports groups, Maori groups, regional chief executives and the media and that the report by the Manager Strategy, dated 3 April 2008, and attachments has been widely circulated to those groups.
    3. That the Regional Governance Committee requests officers to investigate further the following:
      • Community board chairs' proposed council structure
      • Retention of smaller, more tightly focused and properly resourced community boards, perhaps to be called neighbourhood boards to complement the officers proposal of neighbourhood councillors
      • Community neighbourhood advocates
      • Rural communities
      • What models are there for Maori to be given representation at different levels in the proposed structures
      • Appropriate spending and decision making responsibilities within the proposed structures
      • What is working well, what are the issues and decisions that need to be considered locally and regionally
      • Funding and prioritisation of spending across the region, including appropriate checks and balances (e.g. Ombudsmen)
      • Provide further clarification on the officers proposed regional planning framework documents
      • Civic board - consider four neighbourhood councillors instead of two
      • Committee structure - number of committees and membership per committee
      • How could 21 neighbourhood councillors be increased if required
      • Examples of decision making at different levels, e.g. AMETI vs local traffic issues
      • Advisory boards/panels, further detail on role and functions
      • Executive powers of elected representatives and standing committees
      • Interface of local government and local government functions with central government functions
    4. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that the results of the further investigations referred to in resolution C above will be reported to a Councillor workshop on 10 April 2008.
    5. That a meeting of the Regional Governance Committee be scheduled on 15 April 2008 to finalise the Committee's recommendation to Council.
    6. That research be commissioned on the issue of local decision making as part of developing Council's submission at an approximate cost of up to $40,000. The scope of research to be approved by the Chairperson of the Regional Governance Committee and Chief executive.

    CARRIED

    There being no further business the Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 3:42 pm.