2013-05-28-council-agenda - Taupo District Council

[Proposal by'A Better Hawkes Bay'], [28 May 2013]
^,2 Pages
Schedule 3 of the Local Government Act sets out the process for assessing proposals for local
government reorganisation. Once alternative proposals have been submitted the LGC then
develops a draft proposal, publicly notifies it and invite submissions on it. It is anticipated that this
will be in late August 2013.
The call for alternative proposals is designed for a party within the main part of the reorganisation
proposal to submit an alternative proposal for reorganisation. This has happened in Northland with
Whangarei District Council submitting an alternative proposal. Councillors stated at the workshop
that they considered that it was not appropriate for Taupo District Council to submit an alternative
proposal for local government reorganisation for the Hawkes Bay.
The appropriate time for Taupo District Council to be formally involved is when LGC develops a
draft proposal, publicly notifies it and invites submissions on it. This is expected to be in August
2013. At that time the LGC also has to seek the views of the affected local authorities, the
applicant etc.
However officers at the LGC have stated that they will receive comments at this time as well as
alternative applications. It is important to provide some initial comment from TaupS District Council
to the LGC now. The LGC can then take these comments into account while formulating its draft
proposal for the reorganisation of the Hawkes Bay. At the workshop Councillors agreed that
comments from Taupo District Council should be sent to the Local Government Commission at
this stage.
It is important to ensure that the Council accurately represents the views of the potentially affected
landowners within the district. Therefore further consultation should be undertaken with the
potentially affected landowners in Taupo District prior to the LGC publically notifying their draft
proposal in August.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Council approves the submission prepared by officers or identifies necessary changes or additions
to this submission.
CONSIDERATIONS
Financial Considerations
Approval of this submission has no financial implications. There are some financial
implications of further consultation with potentially affected landowners about this
proposal. However these are very small.
The proposed reorganisation of local government in the Hawkes Bay has the potential to
have financial implications on Taupo District Council as it may result in a reduction of the
area of the Taupo District and hence the number of ratepayers in the district.
Legal Considerations
The submission was lodged with the Local Government Commission on 3 May to meet
the statutory deadline. While this part of the process is intended for the lodging of
alternative proposals for local government reorganisation in the Hawkes Bay LGC staff
have stated that they will receive comments on the proposal.
Policy Implications
Approval of this submission has no policy implications. However the proposed
reorganisation of local government in the Hawkes Bay has the potential to have policy
implications as it may result in a reduction of the area of the Taup8 District and hence
the number of ratepayers in the district.
Risks
There are no risks with approving the submission. Not approving the submission will limit
the influence that the Council can have on the LGC draft proposal (the next stage of the
assessment process) and how it may affect the Taupo District.