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Regional Governance Committee
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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE
REGIONAL GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
HELD ON TUESDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2009 AT 2:30 PM
IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, LEVEL 15
CIVIC ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
1 GREYS AVENUE
AUCKLAND

PRESENT: Deputy Mayor David Hay, JP Chairperson
  Councillors: Aaron Bhatnagar Deputy Chairperson
    Douglas Armstrong, QSO  
    Leila Boyle  
    John Lister  
    Richard Northey, ONZM  
  Mr Bruce Kilmister (non-voting member)
ALSO PRESENT: Councillors: Ken Baguley  
    Cathy Casey [from 2:50 pm, item 5 until 3:15 pm, item 6]
    Bill Christian  
    Graeme Easte  
    Glenda Fryer [until 3:50 pm, item 7]
    Toni Millar  
    Noelene Raffills  
    Denise Roche [from 2:50 pm, item 5]

  1. Top APOLOGIES

    There were no apologies.

  2. Top CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

    That the minutes of the Regional Governance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 8 September 2009 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

    CARRIED

  3. Top EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

    There was no extraordinary business.

  4. Top PUBLIC FORUM

    There were no requests to speak in public forum.

  5. Top REGIONAL GOVERNANCE UPDATE

    The Chairperson moved:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 was enacted on 17 September 2009, setting out the broad structure and roles of the Auckland Council.
    2. That the Regional Governance Committee supports Auckland City Council advocating for the inclusion of a general legislative requirement that all local board functions and decisions, including local board plans, are not inconsistent with the strategies, policies, plans and bylaws of the Auckland Council (currently, there is only such a requirement in relation to local bylaws).
    3. That the Regional Governance Committee acknowledges that there is a potential issue in relation to the timeframe for completion of the first local board plans (30 April 2011) that needs to be considered further.
    4. That the Regional Governance Committee notes the updates on boundaries, local boards, transport, strategy and planning, and the Auckland Transition Agency.

    Councillor Boyle moved the following amendment to B. by way of replacement:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee supports Auckland City Council advocating for the inclusion of a general legislative requirement that all local board functions and decisions, including local board plans, do not have the effect of counteracting, at a regional level, the strategies, policies, plans and bylaws of the Auckland Council (currently, there is only such a requirement in relation to local bylaws).

    LOST

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendment to C. by way of addition:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee acknowledges that there is a potential issue in relation to the timeframe for completion of the first local board plans (30 April 2011) that needs to be considered further, including the option that Councils and the ATA request the existing community boards to draw up and recommend such local board plans for their current areas and the parts of these draft plans relevant to their new geographical areas be formally referred to the incoming local boards for consideration.

    LOST

    The Chairperson put the following substantive motion:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 was enacted on 17 September 2009, setting out the broad structure and roles of the Auckland Council.
    2. That the Regional Governance Committee supports Auckland City Council advocating for the inclusion of a general legislative requirement that all local board functions and decisions, including local board plans, are not inconsistent with the strategies, policies, plans and bylaws of the Auckland Council (currently, there is only such a requirement in relation to local bylaws).
    3. That the Regional Governance Committee acknowledges that there is a potential issue in relation to the timeframe for completion of the first local board plans (30 April 2011) that needs to be considered further.
    4. That the Regional Governance Committee notes the updates on boundaries, local boards, transport, strategy and planning, and the Auckland Transition Agency.
    5. That the suggested accountability for all services listed in the 2009/2010 Auckland City Council Services Profile (Transport Committee) be prepared for discussion with some urgency.

    CARRIED

  6. Top WATERFRONT GOVERNANCE AND DELIVERY OPTIONS

    The Chairperson moved:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee endorses Auckland City Council advocating for the establishment of a waterfront development agency to undertake the commercial property development aspects of the waterfront, with all other functions to remain with the Auckland Council.
    2. That the Regional Governance Committee endorses Auckland City Council recommending to government and the Auckland Transition Agency that a final decision on waterfront governance be deferred until after the Auckland Council, the relevant local board, and the regional transport agency are established to allow a fully informed decision on the appropriate split of functions to be made.
    3. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that further work is being undertaken and will be reported back on a range of related issues including whether the Waterfront Development Agency (WDA) is established as a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) or under specific legislation, the ownership structure and the lifespan of the WDA and integration with the CBD, the local board, and the Auckland Transport Agency.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendment to A. by way of addition:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee endorses Auckland City Council advocating for the establishment of a waterfront development agency as a business unit of the Auckland Council reporting to an advisory board, both with commercial property development expertise, similar to the Parking Advisory Board, to undertake the commercial property development aspects of the waterfront, with all other functions to remain with the Auckland Council.

    LOST

    Councillor Boyle moved the following amendment to C. by way of addition:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that further work is being undertaken and will be reported back on a range of related issues including whether the Waterfront Development Agency (WDA) is established as a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO), a business unit with an advisory board with commercial expertise, or under specific legislation, the ownership structure and the lifespan of the WDA and integration with the CBD, the local board, and the Auckland Transport Agency.

    LOST

    The Chairperson put the following substantive motion:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee endorses Auckland City Council advocating for the establishment of a waterfront development agency to undertake the commercial property development aspects of the waterfront, with all other functions to remain with the Auckland Council.
    2. That the Regional Governance Committee endorses Auckland City Council recommending to government and the Auckland Transition Agency that a final decision on waterfront governance be deferred until after the Auckland Council, the relevant local board, and the regional transport agency are established to allow a fully informed decision on the appropriate split of functions to be made.
    3. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that further work is being undertaken and will be reported back on a range of related issues including whether the Waterfront Development Agency (WDA) is established as a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) or under specific legislation, the ownership structure and the lifespan of the WDA and integration with the CBD, the local board, and the Auckland Transport Agency.

    CARRIED

  7. Top LOCAL BOARDS AND WARDS - BOUNDARIES AND REPRESENTATION ISSUES

    The Chairperson moved:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee notes the issues currently under consideration by the Local Government Commission in relation to regional governance reforms, including:
      • The number and boundaries of wards
      • The number of elected members per ward
      • The number and boundaries of local boards.
    2. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that the material to be provided to the Local Government Commission on 16 October 2009 will include this report and supporting material based on the presentations of 2 October 2009.
    3. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that as part of its submission in response to the draft proposals due to be released by the Local Government Commission in November 2009, Auckland City Council will present its formal position on a range of boundary and representation issues including:
      • The number and boundaries of wards
      • The number of elected members per ward
      • The number and boundaries of local boards.
    4. That the Regional Governance Committee supports the inclusion of the CBD as a sub-electoral unit within a wider local board area.
    5. That the Regional Governance Committee notes the need for non-residential stakeholders to be included in the governance arrangements for the CBD.
    6. That the Regional Governance Committee supports the inclusion of Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands in the same ward as the CBD.
    7. That the Regional Governance Committee delegates authority to the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Councillor Northey to ensure that the material submitted to the Local Government Commission on 16 October 2009, reflects both the majority view of the Council and other views of elected representatives.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendment to F. by way of addition:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee supports the inclusion of Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands in the same ward as the CBD, and that all be part of an adjoining ward with other boundaries similar to the current Hobson or Western Bays wards rather than creating a new ward of varied communities of interest centred on the CBD or alternatively that the Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands be in their own Hauraki Gulf Islands ward.

    LOST

    The Chairperson put the following substantive motion:

    1. That the Regional Governance Committee notes the issues currently under consideration by the Local Government Commission in relation to regional governance reforms, including:
      • The number and boundaries of wards
      • The number of elected members per ward
      • The number and boundaries of local boards.
    2. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that the material to be provided to the Local Government Commission on 16 October 2009 will include this report and supporting material based on the presentations of 2 October 2009.
    3. That the Regional Governance Committee notes that as part of its submission in response to the draft proposals due to be released by the Local Government Commission in November 2009, Auckland City Council will present its formal position on a range of boundary and representation issues including:
      • The number and boundaries of wards
      • The number of elected members per ward
      • The number and boundaries of local boards.
    4. That the Regional Governance Committee supports the inclusion of the CBD as an electoral subdivision within a wider local board area and that in principle the delegated authority for the CBD area is restricted to residential issues.
    5. That the Regional Governance Committee notes the need for non-residential stakeholders to be included in the governance arrangements for the CBD.
    6. That the Regional Governance Committee supports the inclusion of Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands in the same ward as the CBD.
    7. That the Regional Governance Committee supports Avondale, Blockhouse Bay and Otahuhu retaining their connection with the Auckland isthmus area.
    8. That the Regional Governance Committee delegates authority to the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Councillor Northey to ensure that the material submitted to the Local Government Commission on 16 October 2009, reflects both the majority view of the Council and other views of elected representatives.

    CARRIED

    There being no further business the Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 4:20 pm.