Annual Report 2010 - Christchurch City Council

Democracy and
governance
Council activities and
services
Annual Report
Christchurch Otautahi
2010
p63.
Council activities and services
Democracy and governance
What is democracy and governance?
Democracy describes a system of government which is run on
behalf of the people, through their elected representatives.
Governance is about how those representatives (the Council and
community boards) run the city.
What is the Council’s role in democracy and
governance?
The people of Christchurch choose their Mayor, City Councillors
and Community Board members at elections held every three years.
The Council ‘governs’ by making strategies, policies and decisions
which set the direction for the future of Christchurch. The Council
regularly seeks community input on a range of issues, including
draft policies, local capital works projects, and the Council’s 10 year
community plan.
Local government is responsible for promoting the cultural,
economic, environmental and social well-being of communities for
the present and the future.
Democracy and governance activities contribute to the social wellbeing
of the community by ensuring a wide range of opportunities
are available for individuals and groups to be involved in local
government decision making.
They also contribute toward the achievement of the city’s
Community Outcomes. Democracy and governance activities help
make Christchurch a city of diverse and inclusive communities
and a well-governed city – two of the nine goals for our city that are
included in our Community Outcomes. This contribution is made
by ensuring everyone’s views are heard before decisions are made
and by enabling elected members to make the best decisions for the
city. For more information on these nine goals see the Community
Outcomes section of this report.
How does it affect me?
The activities of the Christchurch City Council have a direct impact
on everyone in Christchurch – from the collection of kerbside
rubbish, to the provision of safe drinking water, the upkeep of our
parks, and the hosting of festivals and events. You can influence
how the Council runs the city by voting for your representatives in
local body elections every three years, and by becoming involved in
the decision-making process through public consultation.
What activities are included in democracy and
governance?
City governance and decision–making
Council staff provide support and advice to the Mayor, Councillors
and Community Board members so that they are able to make good
decisions on behalf of Christchurch residents. Staff ensure that
the decision-making process is clear to residents, and meets all
statutory and policy requirements.
Public participation in democratic processes
Christchurch residents are encouraged to participate in the
democratic processes of Council through local elections held every
three years; and by having their say at consultation and decision–
making times. It is important that decisions are based on the views
of the community, in particular the views of those directly affected.
What did we achieve?
Work was undertaken to implement the final decision of the
Local Government Commission on the review of representation
arrangements for the governance of Christchurch. That decision
resulted in minor boundary alterations to four of Christchurch’s
seven wards, but no change to other arrangements including the
number of elected members.
Around 230 submissions were received on the Council’s draft
Annual Plan for 2010/11, with nearly 80 submitters attending
hearings to speak to the Council on their submissions. A total of 230
hearings panels were convened to hear submissions on a range of
issues, including proposed cycle lanes, reserve management plans,
draft strategies on Climate Change and Open Spaces, as well as
regulatory issues under various legislation.
The eight Community Boards continued to fund and support
community organisations and projects, and to advocate on behalf
of their communities to the Council and other organisations on
issues of importance or interest to their local areas.
The governance community outcome is measured partly by asking
residents how satisfied they are that Council make decisions in
the best interest of Christchurch and if residents understand how
Council makes decisions. The result for 2010 is shown below in
the section, How did we measure up?. In both cases, the result has
improved since 2008: the percentage of residents satisfied that the
Council makes the best interests of Christchurch 47 per cent in 2010
compared to 41 percent in 2008; and the percentage of residents
who understand how Council makes decisions 37 per cent in 2010
compared to 31.5 per cent in 2008.