Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Chief Executive will be reporting to Council on current and potential collaboration with territorial local authorities, following a request by Council.
The Regional Council meeting this week considered a letter from the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce proposing the Council immediately start an independent study to review the issues and options associated with local government re-organisation before the October 9 local government elections.
The Council agreed that they have a significant work programme in the next six months and some serious issues in this year’s annual plan consultation. Accordingly they did not want to be distracted from priority tasks.
The Chamber of Commerce had suggested revisiting the 1997 “Nahkies Report”, but this is now 12 years old and there have been some major legislative changes, so Council were advised that revisit would not be a simple matter. The report is however being circulated to all Regional Councillors for their consideration.
Some Councillors expressed concerned that the 1997 study was much more extensive and expensive than originally allocated, costing $250,000 at the time. They would like to ensure that Council takes a managed approach to any study to ensure it is well planned and costs are properly budgeted for.
Chairman Alan Dick believes the issue could be politicised leading up to the election, which would influence a study at this time and not assist the reform objectives.
The Regional Council has agreed to roll the $50,000 budget allocated for a study into the 2010/11 financial year for a new Council to action.
Meanwhile the Council has a commitment from the Chief Executive, Andrew Newman, that he will report to their April meeting on areas where the region’s councils are already collaborating, and where there could be other opportunities for working together to achieve efficiencies and cost savings. |