Hawke’s Bay’s local government leaders keen to further progress the region

A major push for more shared services in Hawke’s Bay is a key outcome from a frank and constructive meeting of the region’s five local government leaders today after this week’s result from the amalgamation poll.

The Mayors of Napier, Hastings, Central Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa along with the Chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council met to discuss the result of the poll, which saw 66% of voters say no to amalgamation.

There is a strong commitment between the five leaders to significantly build on the work already done with shared services between councils. They are looking at opportunities to share the delivery of work such as building and roading. They intend to develop a new work programme for shared services over the next month.

The leaders say they spent time at today’s meeting clearing the air and have formed a positive view for the future of the region. They acknowledge more progress needs to be made.

They have made a commitment to meet more regularly and also plan to get all the region’s mayors and councillors together twice a year for group discussions.

The leaders also plan to meet with the Chairman of the Local Government Commission, Sir Wira Gardiner to discuss the referendum result and the role of the commission in the future.

They are requesting the inter-sector group, which includes the mayors, Chief Executives, District Health Board, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, police, local MPs, social agencies and others to develop a more formal arrangement for meeting. They are recommending these meetings are open to the public as they feel it is a good vehicle to address some of the issues raised around the region.

The five leaders say there is no doubt they all have the same vision and want Hawke’s Bay to prosper.

ENDS

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