Council opts for status quo on representation arrangements

Our Council has voted unanimously that there should be no change to the District's representation arrangements in the review when it comes to local body elections.

At its meeting on 25 March, Councillors said they think there should be no change to the current system of eight Councillors plus the Mayor and five Community Boards with four members each.

Councillors also said the current ward and Community Board boundaries should remain unchanged ahead of the 2016 elections.

The Local Electoral Act 2001 (LEA) requires that every local authority undertake a representation arrangements review at least once every six years.

Our last review was in 2009, so this means another one must take place this year.

Now that Council has made its initial resolution in favour of the status quo, you have a chance to have a say.

The public submission period runs from 2 April to 15 May.

After that, submissions are heard and on 24 June Council adopts its final resolution. This is followed by a public objection period and then in August the Local Government Commission reviews the outcome.

The LEA says the population that each councillor represents must be within the population range of 3,441 people plus or minus 10 per cent.

The Coromandel-Colville Ward falls outside that range, with a population of 2,950 and one Councillor.

However, a territorial authority - such as Thames-Coromandel District - can vary from that range if an isolated or island community exists.

Our Council believes the Coromandel-Colville Ward is a distinct community of interest isolated by geographical features and as such is deemed to be an isolated community.

As such, it is not able to comply with the plus or minus 10 per cent range.

According to the LEA the decision not to comply with this population range must be referred to the Local Government Commission once the formal consultation process has been completed.

For more information, read our Council's public notice on the review of representation arrangements and the Election Services 2015 Representation Arrangements Review.

To submit, fill out the submission form and return to us between 2 April - 15 May. Copies are also available at our offices in Thames, Whitianga, Whangamata and Coromandel Town.

You'll also find all these forms and information on our website at www.tcdc.govt.nz/representationreview

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