Regional Ratepayers Confederation moves ahead

The move to establish a formal regional ratepayer group came closer last Saturday at a meeting representing 25 Ratepayers Association from around the region.

The meeting voted unanimously to press ahead with finalising the objectives and rules for the constitution of a regional body under its 'working title' of Confederation of Auckland Region Ratepayers Associations Incorporated [CARRA]

[19 Associations were directly represented [plus the chairman of the Combined Rodney ratepayers group covering 31 organisation ] - and a further six Associations had signalled support for the initiative

The proposed Confederation would be a 'first' for the Auckland region and delegates called for the new body to have power to deal with local, regional and central government on all issues which demanded a regional perspective.

The meeting fully endorsed the need for ratepayers to be able to exercise their influence on all levels of government and the strength of that influence would come from a unified representative organisation.

This proposal arises directly from the Regional Ratepayers Rebellion campaign in the course of which there have been many calls for a formal and strong regional ratepayer grouping.

The ARC rates issue will obviously be the first matter to be taken up and meanwhile the Rebellion campaign will continue its various initiatives until the new Confederation is up and running.

The Confederation will also need to concern itself with the upcoming central government review of 'Auckland issues' in the Local Government Act, and with transport funding.

{NOTE The working title of CARRA may be changed as a result of further consultation - another suggestion was Auckland Ratepayers Confederation - which would lead to ARC v ARC on the rates issue at least!!!}

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