Meeting Date:
28 August 2008
REPORT TO: Council
Subject:
Kaikoura Abolition Proposal
Report by:
CEO
Signature:
Author
Manager
Summary Report
A group called “Concerned Citizens” in Kaikoura are proposing the abolition of
the Kaikoura District Council and its inclusion into the Hurunui District. The
group has obtained enough signatories on its petition to have the matter
considered by the Local Government Commission (the Commission). Hurunui
District Council now needs to form a view on the matter. It is recommended a
report be prepared which incorporate any views the Mayor and Councillors
currently have, and that once this has been considered at the Council's next
meeting, a submission is made to the Commission setting out the Council's
views.
Recommendation
THAT THE INFORMATION IS RECEIVED AND THAT A FURTHER REPORT
ON THE MATTER BE PREPARED FOR THE COUNCIL’S 25 SEPTEMBER
MEETING.
BACKGROUND
Earlier this year Gordon Cockerell, a resident of Kaikoura initiated a petition of
Kaikoura District electors in accordance with relevant local government
legislation, proposing the abolition of the Kaikoura District and its inclusion in
the Hurunui District.
The petition was undertaken on behalf of a group called 'Concerned Citizens'.
In total the group obtained 360 signatures (13.7% of the total number of
registered electoral voters in the Kaikoura District). This exceeded the 10%
threshold required by local government legislation and has been validated by
Kaikoura's Electoral Officer, Mr Warner Lamp (352 signatures after checking
of names of signatories against the electoral roll).
The specific concerns that the group promoting the abolition proposal have,
are proported as follows:
Kaikoura is the smallest District Council in mainland New Zealand with
a population base of approximately 3,618 and approximately only 2,241
rateable properties. The argument is that with such a small population
base covering an area of 2,048 sq kilometres, the District is just too
small to be on its own.
Significant growth within the last five years has placed considerable
pressure on infrastructure. Kaikoura District Council and its ratepayers
may struggle to meet the costs of services resulting from projected
growth.
There is concern that ratepayers are facing unsustainable rates rises
such as a 13.3% increase in 2007.
There is concern about the Kaikoura District Council's proposed capital
works programme. The Council is proceeding with its decision to build
a new office building in Scarborough Street at an estimated cost of
$3.19 million.
There is concern about the District's lack of strategic direction. Existing
planners are fully committed with District Plan and RMA matters and
have little or no time for strategic planning.
Since the 2002 reform of the Local Government Act, small councils
have had to take on additional responsibilities with attendant demands
on staff time and costs.
As pressures increase, central government may be forced to consider
further local government reforms.
Concern about the sustainability of the District. They consider that an
enlarged Council may be better resourced to deal with issues of long
term economic and environmental sustainability, maintenance of
infrastructure (an economies of scale argument), and provide more
staff skills and expertise that would enable the Kaikoura area to
progress in a more strategic direction than is currently occurring.
Some of the issues the group thought may be relevant to possible abolition of
the Kaikoura District Council were:
Kaikoura receives many of its services from Canterbury, e.g. District
Health Board and Environment Canterbury;
Strong tourism interests link Hurunui, Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura
through the Alpine Pacific Triangle marketing strategy;
Community interest with the Marlborough region for policing, social
services, medical, radio and newspapers, and conservation
management.
The group feels that a discussion needs to be held to consider the merits of
bringing about amalgamation with the Hurunui District. To have the matter
considered, the group initiated the petition.
The Commission is now calling for submissions on the proposal for the
abolition of Kaikoura District and its inclusion in Hurunui District.
Submissions may be made on any matter relevant to the proposal, including:
whether or not the proposal should proceed;
whether some variation of the proposal should be adopted; and
if a proposal is implemented, details such as boundaries,
representation and community board structures and functions.
The Commission may consider how the proposal affects the system of local
government in any district and region affected by the proposal. This could
include:
which system of local government in the district best meets the criteria
in Subpart 2 of Schedule 3 of the Local Government Act 2002, which
relates to the promotion of good local government (refer Appendix
One);
whether or not good local government would be promoted by the
inclusion of any of the Kaikoura District in the Marlborough District;
whether or not the systems of representation in the affected districts
will meet the criteria in Clause 5 of Schedule 3 to the Local
Government Act 2002, such as the requirement for fair and effective
representation (refer Appendix One);
whether or not good local government of the district would be best
promoted by a system of community boards and their responsibilities;
and
any other matters the Commission considers appropriate.
Apart from wanting to consult with this Council, the Commission is also
consulting with other affected or adjoining local authorities, the proposer,
relevant government agencies, and iwi.
The closing date for submissions is 13 October 2008. It is the Commission's
general policy to make submissions publicly available on request. The
Council can request to appear before the Commission. No hearings dates
have been set yet.
After the closing date for submissions the process is as follows:
The Commission provides the submissions received to the proposer
and provides the opportunity for the proposer to withdraw the proposal.
In addition to calling for submissions the Commission may make any
further inquiries and investigations that it considers appropriate.
If the proposal is not withdrawn the Commission decides whether to
issue a draft reorganisation scheme (based on the proposal or on some
modification or variation to the proposal) or not to proceed with the
proposal.
If the Commission issues a draft reorganisation scheme it invites
submissions on the draft scheme.
The Commission considers any submissions received and decides
whether to issue a final reorganisation scheme based on the draft
scheme (with or without modifications) or to decline to proceed with the
scheme.
If a final reorganisation scheme were issued, a poll of electors of the
Kaikoura District would be held. A scheme is put into effect if a
majority of those who vote in the poll are in favour of the final scheme.
Hurunui District Council Submission Council amalgamations or proposals to that effect are a regular occurrence
within the New Zealand local government landscape. Recently Banks
Peninsular District Council was amalgamated into Christchurch City Council.
Councils in South Canterbury are currently investigating the feasibility of
breaking away from Environment Canterbury Regional Council.
At this point in time the Hurunui District Council has not discussed the
Kaikoura abolition proposal and has no set view on the matter.
This Council now needs to form a view about the abolition proposal. It is
recommended that a report be prepared for consideration at the Council's 25
September 2008 meeting in order to help it form a view and prepare a
submission to the Commission.
The work required to form a view could include consideration on the following
matters:
A high level assessment of any obvious operational and financial issues, pros
and cons, associated with the proposal based on existing knowledge from
within this Council (i.e. no assistance from consultants is requested at this
stage or approach to be made to Kaikoura District Council for information).
This could include consideration of:
functions and activities, service levels and service centres
funding, including depreciation and rating systems
regulatory compliance/monitoring activities
undertaking of essential or recommended works
ability to meet the requirements of the Local Government Act and other
legislation
The work could also address (again at a high level):
variation options/boundary considerations
community of interest considerations/identity
representation options
promotion of good local government
retention of the Kaikoura District Council
Any views Councillors have at this time that they believe should be considered
in the report for the September Council meeting, should now be highlighted.
The Kaikoura District Council's position on this proposal is that they
unanimously, (in the words of their Mayor, Kevin Hayes) “oppose it
vehemently!” and the Mayor is confident that the outcome will see the
continuation of that Council.
The position other affected adjoining local authorities are taking on the matter
is unknown.
The Council's CEO has arranged for the CEO of the Commission, Donald
Riezebos to attend the Council's 28 August meeting to discuss the proposal
and process.
Options Considered
Do Nothing
This is not an option. The Council needs to take a position on the matter as it
could have a significant effect on its constitution, responsibilities and duties.
1st Option
That a report is prepared which pulls together any obvious issues or pros and
cons regarding the proposal, for the Council's 25 September meeting and the
Council then, having considered this report, submits its view/s to the
Commission.
Policy and Plan Consideration
At this early stage there are no Policy or Plan Considerations identified.
Significance
At this early stage there are no Significance considerations that need to be
identified.
Maori Implications
At this early stage there are no obvious Maori Implications to be identified.
CONCLUSION A proposal to abolish the Kaikoura District Council and have it join the Hurunui
District now requires this Council to form a view on the matter. It is
recommended that a report be prepared for the Council's next meeting, to
assist it form a view and make a submission to the Commission.
Appendix One Local Government Act 2002, Subpart 2 of Schedule 3 and Clause 5 of
Schedule 3
Document Outline
