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A Local Government Commission (LGC) report that says Auckland Council could do more to improve local democracy and services has failed to impress the Northern Action Group (NAG), which is seeking more fundamental local government reform.
The report “Enhancing Local Government for Aucklanders” was put together after the LGC considered a proposal for a separate Council for North Rodney proposed by NAG.
The LGC determined that the application for a separate Council did not meet the “statutory criteria”.
However, Commission chair Sir Wira Gardiner acknowledged “challenges remain” with the Auckland Supercity and noted some in the community were concerned that the “local” was being lost from local government.
NAG chair Bill Townson says while acknowledging the failures of the Supercity was welcome, they were well overdue.
Moreover, LGC recommendations to redress failings were too vague to result in any clear-cut action and would only elicit similar vague responses from Council.
For example, Mr Townson says the Commission correctly identifies the need for more spending on roads in Rodney but fails to say where this money should come from.
“There is arguably sufficient money in the current rate take from North Rodney but it is being spent elsewhere in the region,” he says.
Mr Townson was equally dismissive of the Commission’s suggestions for improving community engagement, particularly the suggestion that moving the Rodney Local Board base, so that it was within Rodney, would somehow make it work better.
“So where do they suggest moving it to? If to one of the main centres such as Warkworth, Helensville or Kumeu then in each case half of the remaining part of the ward will be at distances even further from the base.”
Meanwhile NAG is pushing ahead with its appeal in the High Court seeking to overturn the LGC decision to keep North Rodney within the Auckland Supercity.
On June 25, it will attend a hearing to file affidavits on what evidence it wishes to present at the appeal.
Mr Townson is also hoping to build more support in Parliament for legislation that would allow for a binding referendum on North Rodney’s future.
Other recommendations made by the LGC in its “Enhancing Local Government for Aucklanders” report include exploring ways to balance regional and local needs without losing the benefits of being part of a large organisation, and taking steps to improve understanding of Council functions.
The report can be found at lgc.govt.nz.
