Auckland residents have until the 26 March to comment on proposals developed by the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) on the role of Local Boards and Council Controlled Organisations in Auckland.
Two separate discussion documents have been released by ATA. The documents set out proposals on which functions Local Boards should undertake when they are established on 1 November 2010 and the proposed structure and responsibilities of Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs).
The discussion document on Council Controlled Organisations focuses specifically with CCOs dealing with Council Investments, Economic Development and Tourism, Major Regional Facilities, Property Holdings and the Waterfront Development Agency. The existing organisations that would transfer to the new CCOs are shown on the attached diagram.
Discussion documents on the role and structure of Auckland Transport and Watercare were released previously and consultation has now closed on these.
The ATA is proposing that local boards would oversee the management of local facilities – such as community parks, halls, swimming pools, sports fields and libraries, and local events and services such as rubbish removal and graffiti control.
The Auckland Council would retain the ability to determine region wide service standards and policies, and manage regionally significant facilities. Local Boards may be able to negotiate variations to region wide service standards with the Council through an annual agreement between the local board and the Auckland Council.
The discussion document does not propose to delegate decisions on regulatory issues such as bylaws to local boards as the ATA’s view is that this should be a decision for the new Auckland Council.
The Local Government Commission has proposed that 19 local boards be established throughout the Auckland Region. Within Rodney the proposal is for a ‘Rodney’ board to be established covering the Rodney District, but excluding the Hibiscus Coast area which would join with Albany and the East Coast Bays to form one local board area. The Commission proposed that a small portion of Western Rodney south of Muriwai would also join with the Waitakere local board area. The Commission is expected to release a final decision on local board boundaries later this week.
Copies of the ATA discussion documents are available online at www.discussiondocuments.co.nz. This website has been set up by ATA for people can provide feedback on both draft documents. Comments can be submitted online and should be received by 26 March.
Under the Third Bill on Auckland Governance, a new Council Controlled Organisation called Auckland Transport would be established which would be responsible for roads, public transport, parking and traffic management throughout the Auckland Region. Watercare Services would assume responsibility for delivery of the region’s water and wastewater under the legislation.
The bill allows the Governor General to authorise the establishment of any Council Controlled Organisation, on the advice of the Minister of Local Government. Consultation on the bill closed on 12 February.
View a diagram on the existing organisations that ATA is proposing would be merged into new CCOs here. This information has been taken from the ATA discussion document on Council Controlled Organisations of Auckland Council.