2 November 2016
First Governing Body begins new council term

The first formal Auckland Council Governing Body meeting has been held, marking the start of council business for the new term.

The meeting, a continuation of the ceremonial inauguration of the Mayor and Councillors held in the Town Hall last night, was opened by Mayor Phil Goff welcoming the new and returning councillors

Maiden speeches were made by the five new councillors, Fa’anana Efeso Collins (Manukau), Richard Hills (North Shore), Daniel Newman (Manurewa-Papakura), Grey Sayers (Rodney), and Desley Simpson (Ōrākei).

“Our new councillors spoke passionately about their priorities and aspirations for the communities they represent, and recognised the support from their families that allows them to carry out their responsibilities as elected members,” said Mayor Goff.

The Governing Body formalised the establishment of council committees and the appointment of chairpersons, adopted the terms of reference, and decided on appointments to a number of other joint committees and working parties.

“In line with the promise I made to the electorate about the council cutting waste and duplication, and doing more with less, we have made radical changes to the committee structure. We have reduced the number of committees from 19 to nine, saving around 25 per cent in staff and councillor time which can be redirected to delivering better services and outcomes for the community,” said Mayor Goff.

These included the Hauraki Gulf Forum (Chris Darby, Richard Hills, Mike Lee, Wayne Walker, John Watson, and Desley Simpson as alternate), Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ Treaty of Waitangi Settlement Working Group (Denise Lee, John Watson, Linda Cooper, Daniel Newman) and the Auckland Domain Committee (Mike Lee - chair, Desley Simpson, Linda Cooper).

Three councillors were appointed to the Tūpuna Maunga Authority (Alf Filipaina, Cathy Casey, Denise Lee). The eight local boards with maunga in their areas will nominate three members.

Councillors Hulse, Darby, Filipina, Mike Lee and Denise Lee were appointed to a Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan Appeals delegation for urgent decisions between now and when the first meeting of the Planning Committee is held on November 26.
The full webcast of the Governing Body meeting including maiden speeches will be available on the council’s live streaming service and the agenda is available now. Minutes will be available on the Auckland Council website in due course.
ENDS

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