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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE REGIONAL GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

HELD ON TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2008 AT 9:30 AM

PRESENT: Deputy Mayor David Hay, JP Chairperson
  Councillors: Aaron Bhatnagar  
    Richard Northey, ONZM  
ALSO PRESENT: Councillor Cathy Casey  
  Councillor Graeme Easte  
  Councillor Glenda Fryer  
  Councillor Paul Goldsmith [until 10.45am, item5]
  Councillor Toni Millar [until 10.27am, item 5]
  Councillor Denise Roche [from 10.00am, item 5]
  Community Board Chairperson Bruce Kilmister [from 6.45am, item 5]

[until 11.25am, item 5]

  1. Top APOLOGIES

    That the apologies from Councillor Doug Armstrong and His Worship the Mayor Hon. John Banks for non-attendance be accepted.

    CARRIED

  2. Top CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

    That the minutes of the Regional Governance Committee meeting held on Thursday, 3 April 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. VARIOUS MATTERS - PENNY BRIGHT

    Penny Bright addressed the Committee on issues relating to water privatisation, Franklin District Council's contract with United Water and the lack of cost/benefit analysis of the "Metrowater model" and "contracting out" generally.

    That Penny Bright be thanked for her presentation.

    CARRIED

    [ATTACHMENT 4.1]

  5. Top ROYAL COMMISSION AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL SUBMISSION

    The Chairperson moved:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee notes:
      1. the contents of this report
      2. the officers' verbal update on the local decision-making and engagement focus group research commissioned
      3. that the focus group research findings report will be available at the 17 April 2008 Council meeting.
    2. That the Regional Governance Committee advises officers of any changes needed to the submission approach and content.
    3. That it be a recommendation to Council:
      1. that the Auckland City Council submission to the Royal Commission supports the following outcomes, which were discussed at the councillor workshop on 10 April 2008:
        • establishment of a single legal entity for the Auckland region - Greater Auckland Council
        • Greater Auckland Mayor, elected at large
          • the composition of the Greater Auckland Council being based on wards/communities of interest to be confirmed by the Local Government commission
          • the Greater Auckland Council be comprised of approximately 21 Community Councillors, 8 Regional Councillors, at large, 2 per area and Greater Auckland Mayor or approximately 30 Community Councillors
        • establishment of an Executive Committee within the Greater Auckland Council
        • the composition of the Executive Committee being:
          • Greater Auckland Mayor
          • Standing Committee Chairs
        • establishment of four Area Committees and Chair appointed from area committee members
        • establishment of Neighbourhood Boards for each ward/community of interest, to be confirmed by Local Government commission.
          • representation on Neighbourhood Boards being, four ward based elected representatives and the Greater Auckland Council ward councillor as Chair
          • Neighbourhood Boards being given responsibility for recommending their neighbourhood plan including capital spending in their area
          • a representative from Great Barrier is to be at least one member of the Hauraki Gulf Neighbourhood Board
        • Greater Auckland Council councillors having a community constituency office in the ward and an ability to engage 'neighbourhood advocates'
        • ability for the Greater Auckland Council to appoint advisory boards/committees and Council Controlled Organisations
        • establishment of Greater Auckland Council Mana Whenua committee, based on the work currently being undertaken in the region as part of the Regional Sustainable Development Forum (RSDF)
        • regional planning framework elements being:
          • regional spatial plan (30 year timeframe)
          • area plans (10 year timeframe)
          • regional prioritised investment plan (10 year timeframe)
          • neighbourhood plans (3-5 year rolling programme)
      2. That the Regional Governance Committee be delegated to work with officers on final editorial changes.
      3. That the Regional Governance Committee be requested to communicate Council's position and seek feedback from the community to inform Council's public hearing presentation to the Royal Commission.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendments:

    1. That it be a recommendation to Council:
      • That the Auckland City Council submission to the Royal Commission supports the following outcomes, which were discussed at the Councillor workshop on 10 April 2008:
        • Establishment of a unitary authority for the Auckland region which could be called the Greater Auckland Council

      Secretarial note: it was agreed that the Manager strategy incorporates the words "unitary authority" in the documentation to be provided to the Council meeting on 17 April 2008.

      • Greater Auckland Council Mayor, elected by its members

    LOST

    • Establishment of Community Councils for each ward, to be confirmed by the Local Government Commissioner

    LOST

    • Representation on Neighbourhood Boards being at least five ward based elected representatives and the Greater Auckland Council councillor

    LOST

    • The Neighbourhood Boards will elect a chair from among their members

    CARRIED

    • Neighbourhood Boards being given responsibility for recommending their neighbourhood plan including capital spending in their area

    CARRIED

    • All Neighbourhood Boards having the power to delegate decision making for local and neighbourhood matters to elected bodies representing smaller populations and communities of interest

    Secretarial note: it was agreed that the Manager strategy incorporates some words around "delegating to elected bodies representing smaller populations and communities of interest" in the documentation to be provided to the Council meeting on 17 April 2008.

    • Separate Waiheke and Great Barrier Neighbourhood Boards be retained

    LOST

    • a Neighbourhood Board and elected councillor for the Hauraki Gulf Islands

    LOST

    • a recognition that staffing for local authorities across the region will be comparable to current numbers

    LOST

    • a recognition that Auckland's current proportion of elected representatives is not excessive

    LOST

    • a recognition that bodies expressing a variety of views and submissions is not harmful but not being able to resolve and act on the preferred policy option is

    Secretarial note: it was agreed that the Manager strategy clarifies the wording around this matter in the documentation to be provided to the Council meeting on 17 April 2008.

    The Chairperson put the following substantive motion:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee notes:
      1. the contents of this report
      2. the officers' verbal update on the local decision-making and engagement focus group research commissioned
      3. that the focus group research findings report will be available at the 17 April 2008 Council meeting.
    2. That the Regional Governance Committee advises officers of any changes needed to the submission approach and content.
    3. That it be a recommendation to Council:
      1. that the Auckland City Council submission to the Royal Commission supports the following outcomes, which were discussed at the councillor workshop on 10 April 2008:
        • establishment of a single legal entity for the Auckland region - Greater Auckland Council
        • Greater Auckland Mayor, elected at large
          • the composition of the Greater Auckland Council being based on wards/communities of interest to be confirmed by the Local Government commission
          • the Greater Auckland Council be comprised of approximately 21 Community Councillors, 8 Regional Councillors, at large, 2 per area and Greater Auckland Mayor or approximately 30 Community Councillors
        • establishment of an Executive Committee within the Greater Auckland Council
        • the composition of the Executive Committee being:
          • Greater Auckland Mayor
          • Standing Committee Chairs
        • establishment of four Area Committees and Chair appointed from area committee members
        • establishment of Neighbourhood Boards for each ward/community of interest, to be confirmed by Local Government commission.
          • representation on Neighbourhood Boards being, four ward based elected representatives and the Greater Auckland Council ward councillor and they will elect a chair from among their members
          • Neighbourhood Boards being given responsibility for recommending their neighbourhood plan including capital spending in their area
          • a representative from Great Barrier is to be at least one member of the Hauraki Gulf Neighbourhood Board
        • Greater Auckland Council councillors having a community constituency office in the ward and an ability to engage 'neighbourhood advocates'
        • ability for the Greater Auckland Council to appoint advisory boards/committees and Council Controlled Organisations
        • establishment of Greater Auckland Council Mana Whenua committee, based on the work currently being undertaken in the region as part of the Regional Sustainable Development Forum (RSDF)
        • regional planning framework elements being:
          • regional spatial plan (30 year timeframe)
          • area plans (10 year timeframe)
          • regional prioritised investment plan (10 year timeframe)
          • neighbourhood plans (3-5 year rolling programme)
      2. That the Regional Governance Committee be delegated to work with officers on final editorial changes.
      3. That the Regional Governance Committee be requested to communicate Council's position and seek feedback from the community to inform Council's public hearing presentation to the Royal Commission.

    CARRIED

    [ATTACHMENT 5.1]

    Secretarial note: Councillor Richard Northey requested his vote against the substantive motion to be recorded.

    There being no further business the Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 11:30 am.