Is Hawke’s Bay ready for one super council?
August 17, 2009
One super council for all?
Hawke’s Bay people could head to the polls for a second time to decide whether there should be one council to rule the region.
Napier City, Hastings District and Hawke’s Bay Regional councils could amalgamate if a plan put forward by Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule is approved by 2013.
Mr Yule presented his proposal to the media yesterday. He said he would contest the mayoralty one last time in 2010 and base his campaign squarely on amalgamating the councils.
“I will stand on the platform that we work towards a unitary council for Hawke’s Bay … if people don’t want it they won’t vote for me,” he said.
If he was voted in for a fourth term, he would make it his last for the Hastings council and focus his efforts on amalgamation. He would not say whether he would contest a place in a new Hawke’s Bay council, if it was approved.
In 1999 an attempt was made to bring Napier and Hastings together under one banner but Napier didn’t like the idea and voted 2 to 1 against amalgamation, while Hastings voted 2 to 1 in favour.
The new proposal, unlike the 1999 version, now included the regional council and more time would allow the community, councillors and council staff to consider the changes, Mr Yule said.
He hoped it would at least spark debate over the next 12 months and be a major issue at the 2010 council elections.
“I think Hawke’s Bay is at a point now where it is the right time for this change. There is enough goodwill around the region for us to have this debate and to find a better way to do things,” Mr Yule said.
“For the last three or four years, people have asked me about amalgamation, so I am taking a punt here that this is the right thing to do, if it’s not, it won’t happen.”
A referendum was planned for early 2012 where Hastings and Napier people must show more than 50 per cent support for the amalgamation to go forward.
It would then be put to the Local Government Commission, the organisation which has the final say on changes to councils.
Mr Yule said he had reviewed the Auckland Super City model, talked with Local Government Minister Rodney Hide as well as Napier and Tukituki MPs Chris Tremain and Craig Foss before drawing a plan for Hawke’s Bay.
He had also met with Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott and regional council chairman Alan Dick. Wairoa’s Mayor Les Probert and Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Trish Giddens had also been informed.
“They were probably surprised a bit but were supportive … you’ll have to ask them yourself to find out what they think about it,” Mr Yule said.
The new Hawke’s Bay council would have 15 councillors, plus two community boards for each of Hastings and Napier. Boards for Taradale and Havelock North were also a possibility.
There would be one mayor, one chief executive and two “vice-mayors” who would head each of the Hastings and Napier community boards.
The community boards would ensure, Mr Yule said, public connection with the new council and a chance for everyone to have their say in the decisions it made.
“Keeping the identity of Hastings and Napier is important and under this proposal we have the best of both worlds,” he said.
Maori would also play a major role in the new council, recognising the significance of several Treaty of Waitangi claims which were due to be settled in the next three to five years.
Bringing the three councils together could mark a 5 per cent saving “in terms of efficiencies” but it would not mean dramatic staff changes, Mr Yule said.
“Most of the people that are employed will still have work to do, there may be changes in the executive team, only have one CEO, and changes to councillors but the work still needs to be done.”
Mrs Arnott said the decision on whether the councils amalgamated should be left to the ratepayers.
“If the people want it great but it should not be imposed,” she said.
Mrs Arnott said one council which included Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay might be more “palatable” to people than just a Napier and Hastings combination.
Amalgamation was an issue which had been on the cards for years and all the information, including any impacts on rates and service levels, would have to be presented to the public to help people make a decision.
“Napier people have to have their say about that. They need to understand and have all the information put in front of them. It’s got to be fair,” she said.
While Mrs Arnott indicated she would be happy to stand for another term as mayor of Napier, she could not confirm her commitments to 2013.
“It’s far too far in the future for me to contemplate what I’m doing then.”
Proposed structure:
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule’s suggestion for a new council:
* There will be: 1 mayor elected at large; 1 vice-mayor elected by Napier to lead a community board for that city; 1 vice-mayor for Hastings to lead a community board for that city; 2 Maori councillors or iwi representatives and 10 councillors elected by wards throughout the region.
* Napier will have a community board headed by its vice-mayor, to include 3 councillors from the unitary council and 4 elected from the city.
* Hastings will also have a community board headed by its vice-mayor, with 3 councillors from the unitary council and 5 councillors elected from the city.
* A community board could also be set up in Taradale, Flaxmere and Havelock North.
* The Central Hawke’s Bay (CHB) and Wairoa district councils would retain their structure but would be invited to join if they wish.
* The responsibilities of the regional council over Wairoa and CHB would be absorbed by the new Hawke’s Bay council.
Suggested timeline:
Proposed timeframe as to how Hawke’s Bay could move towards a single council:
* In October 2010, the Local Government Elections will be held.
* In 2011, development and consultation of the proposed new council will be held.
* Late 2011, review and hearings by Local Government Commission, which has the final say on any changes to councils around the country.
* Early 2012, referendum on an agreed structure for the new council.
* Mid 2012, transitional committee will be formed if the council structure is to change.
* October 2013, Local Government elections for the new council.
Article C/- H B Today – LAWRENCE GULLERY and KIM DE LEIJER | 15th August 2009
