'Hot' councils named next week

Tuesday, 20 April 2004, 10:14 am
Press Release: Business New Zealand

A new award will be presented to New Zealand's best local authorities next week.

The Hot Council Award will be presented to the highest scoring council as ranked by the Local Government Forum.

There will be an overall winner in each of four categories: metropolitan, provincial, rural and regional councils.

Local Government Forum Chairman Simon Carlaw says the councils are being rated against a number of criteria including rating and spending discipline, best practice in administering the Resource Management Act, and effectively encouraging voter participation.

"The Forum is keen to see more councils looking after growth prospects in their area, by keeping rates down, treating business and residential ratepayers equitably, and running effective RMA operations," Mr Carlaw said.

"Local government can have a negative impact on growth. Undisciplined spending, continual rates rises and poor RMA management can drive away investment from a region, reducing living standards and job opportunities over time.

"The Hot Council awards aim to give recognition to those councils that are sensible spenders and that look after their constituents by keeping a lid on rates."

The Hot Council Awards will be run every three years prior to local body elections.

The winners will be announced on Tuesday 27 April.

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