David Thornton
MEDIA RELEASE
4 September 2009

Auckland Governance Select Committee report should be good for local democracy.

As a Community Board member, chair of Community Centre and chair of a residents association, I very much welcome the majority report of the Select Committee on Auckland Governance.

In particular the decisions to remove the ‘at large’ councillors, and the considerable powers to be given to local boards should provide for effective and accountable local democracy.

I also welcome the Select Committee’s acknowledgement of the strong role played by local voluntary organisations within local communities.

The proposals should encourage residents and ratepayers to work more closely with their local board members in order to achieve ongoing progress with community activities and facilities.

My only reservation is that alternative funding mechanisms for local government were not considered as part of this major reorganisation.

I will be pressing the Minister to take this issue forward at the earliest possible date.

ENDS

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