‘Super-Size’ Council

‘Why aren’t Kapiti politicians telling us about take-over plan?’ asks Turver

By Alan Tristram
 
 
 
Proposals are well advanced which would make the Kapiti Coast hand over most of its powers, and finance, to a super-city based on Wellington.

The plans are being discussed by leading politicians in the Region, including the Regional Council chair, Fran Wilde, but the public isn’t being kept up-to-date with fast-moving developments.

Now former Kapiti regional councillor Chris Turver says:”I’m calling on the Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) to take a leadership role in explaining a plan which could severely limit Kapiti’s right to run its own affairs within two years!”

 

Mr Turver says that’s when the KCDC could be abolished and replaced  with a lower-level Community Council controlled  and funded from Wellington.

Many not aware of what’s going on

“There are other options but publicity has been so poor that most people could be excused for not being aware of what is going on,” Mr Turver says.

“The plan for a two-tier form of regional local government is being actively promoted by a handful of Greater Wellington Regional Councillors from Wellington electorates, including regional council chair Fran Wilde,” he says.

“It is based on the premise that if the region does nothing about simplifying and strengthening local government in the region the government will.”

If adopted, the plan would abolish the regional council and the seven city and district councils in the region and set up a new Wellington Super Council on which all the cities and districts would be represented.

One seat for Kapiti, seven for Hutt-Wellington

Kapiti,Porirua and the Wairarapa would have just one seat each — but Wellington and the Hutt would get seven seats (Wellington 4; Hutt 3).

The existing territorial authorities in the region would be reconstituted as ‘Community Councils’ with reduced decision-making and spending roles.

Mr Turver adds:“Given the recent history of the KCDC’s decision-making that may not be a bad thing but our residents deserve an explanation of what’s going on and the right to contribute to a discussion.”

“The KCDC muyst be upfront and put as much effort into helping ratepayers understand what is being proposed for local government reform as it is putting into trying to sell water meters.”

He says at stake is the future of Kapiti and the KCDC should hold a series of public meetings around the district to set out what is going on and seek input from ratepayers.

Mr Turver concludes:”There are many logical proposals in the re-organisation plan — like centralising decision making on future water supplies for the region – but until all the cards are on the table I am not prepared to see Kapiti put on the chopping block!”

Editor’s note

Kapiti Independent has a copy of the proposals, from ‘A group of Wellington regional councillors.’

It’s titled ‘Some Ideas on local government reform in Wellington– neighbourhood decisions with pan-regional strategy.’

Highly-contentious topics are outlined in the appendix: These show that Kapiti could lose control of its libraries and museums, land management, parks and reserves, pensioner housing, roads, and revenue collection and management among other items.

 

 

 

We almost have an over all council now – the “Greater Wellington Council” . It would be a good idea, I think, to enlarge it a little, although many things are mainly overall Wellington now, such as libraries.

I agree for the call for informing the community on all the options that have been put forward for local governance reform by the PriceWaterhouse Coopers review. All that we have seen in the public domain is the GWRC promoting a “super city” type structure and our local Council promoting the strengthened Mayoralty forum. The local government review and options are as important to us as the elections for government and our Council should be takign a lead and encouraging us to particpipate in the debate that will decide our future local governance model. The debate needs to be on all options, not just those favoured by current politicians and council executives. Too late to moan about it after it’s decided for us!

Simply a chance for Chris Turver to appear to be the good guy and paint the council as the bad guy. Read this properly and you’ll see that he supports the ‘many logical proposals’ in the super city concept. A super slippery stance.
I would say he wants to be in the ‘one’ seat.

On behalf of Kapiti Grey Power I was one of 2 submitters when KCDC’s consultation on Wellington Regional Governance was out last year.
In June this year did a submission to GW on same issue.
What is doing the round now is a proposal by some GW councillors…it is not official policy but lets us know the thinking of the Regional Councillors concerned. They are interested in finding out what people think about collaboration in the region. This was not done by KCDC, so do niot deserve the criticism.
The public need to know the 6 options identified in the Price Waterhouse Cooper report, proper analysis and costings need to be done
so that informed comments can be made, instead of being presented by one option. Super city in Auckland noty cheaper, but stronger.
Les Brown on radio said that he was thinking of rate remissions for some ratepayers who were faced with a 16% incease next year, with others having a 50% increase. Others would have reductions.
Betty van Gaalen.