Hutt 2020 Media Statement

Thursday, April 19, 2001

Mayor Squanders Valuable Time with confused approach to LGC Determination

Valuable time is being squandered by the Mayor's refusal to properly clarify the Council's position on Community Boards to the Local Government Commission, according to Cr Scott Dalziell.

The LGC will soon make a decision on Community Board representation in Hutt City. It has already said that the Council submission was confusing as it mixed up Community Board and Council election issues.

A request by Cr Scott Dalziell to have the council meet to clarify the situation has been refused by the Mayor.

The Council (through Chief Executive Rick Hart) has told the LGC to make a determination on the existing council proposal - unamended.

"The Councils proposal was at odds with the majority of submissions", said Cr Scott Dalziell.

"These submissions called for Community Boards in each of the existing wards which currently have no Community Board", he said.

"The Council's position is for super wards - a concept already rejected by the Local Government Commission".

"Unfortunately, the Local Government Commission only has the power to accept or reject the Council's proposal on Community Boards." (Note: This is different to the decision on Council representation, which can be modified - and was - by the LGC in its recent determination.)

If the Commission rejects the Council's proposal we will effectively run out of time to get Community Boards in place for this years Local Government elections" said Cr Scott Dalziell, " and maybe this is what the Mayor is hoping for".

"The gross imbalance between wards in terms of elected representatives requires urgent attention." (see footnote)

"In light of the Mayor's refusal to call a meeting, I have tried to get Councillors to call a special meeting to get some action on this issues, but predictably the Mayor's Team are blocking this initiative", said Cr Scott Dalziell. (The Councillors who support a special meeting so far are Scott Dalziell, Margaret Cousins, Cathie Eady and Joy Baird - only one other Councillor is needed to force a meeting)

"The whole process over the Local Government determinations has been a costly process for the Council. To drop the ball now when we are only half way through would be a waste of the time and money already invested in this process", said Cr Scott Dalziell.

Ends

For further information please phone Cr Scott Dalziell (ph 567 1022)

Note:

Elected representatives per ward (for 2001 elections) excluding unelected Ward Committees are currently as follows:

ward electors elected representatives (council + community board) electors per elected representative

Harbour 17,650 2 + 11 = 13 1,358

Wainuiomata 17,400 2 + 4 = 6 2,900

Central 18,900 2 9,450

Eastern 16,850 2 8,425

Northern 14,800 2 7,400

Western 12,150 1 12,150

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