Super City Select Committee submissions workshops Thursday, 4 February Presentation by Rob Thomas.

Super City Select Committee submissions workshops

Thursday, 4 February

Presentation by Rob Thomas

Introduction

Workshop to assist community groups and individual citizens make submissions to the Select Committee on Auckland's Governance.

This is a non-partisan community event to encourage community participation in the decision making process.

Background to the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill 2009

How to make a submission on the Bill?

Facilitated brainstorming with your group


Background

Current structure

Regional / Local decision making Regional services and assets

Current challenges

Environmental - global warming Social - population growth Economic - competitive city


“Regional issues get tangled up in the competing interests of local councils” - Auckland Council Bill

“to create a common identity and purpose for the region” - Royal Commission

ARC

Community Boards

AK CityNS City

MK City

WT City

FR

PKRD

Background

1) Consultation

In 2008, received over 3,500 submissions and 550 verbal submissions.

2) Royal Commission recommendation (25 March 2009)

Auckland Mayor 23 Councillors (three Maori seats) Auckland Council Six Councils with local services Local Boards Waiheke & Hauraki Gulf


“building on existing institutional arrangements where possible.” - Royal Commission

“result in a loss of local democratic voice” and “poor alignment between some functions” - Auckland Council Bill

Background

1st Bill - Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009

2nd Bill - Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009

These Acts established:

Auckland Transition AuthorityThe Agency will manage the transition from the existing seven territorial authorities and one regional council.

Local Government CommissionThe Commission will determine the boundaries, powers and functions.

Auckland's Governance LawsCreating one Auckland Council and its local boards


Background

3rd Bill - Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill

Third and final Bill - split into seven parts

Part 1 – Transitional Amendments ReorganisationPart 2 – Governance of Auckland Council *Part 3 – Amendment to other BillsPart 4 – Transport Management *Part 5 – Water Supply and Wastewater *Part 6 – Spatial Planning *Part 7 – Maori of Tamaki Makaurau *


Background

Part 2 – Governance of Auckland Council

Auckland Council

The power to rate, create by laws, borrow money, purchase or dispose of assets (Section 32)

The Auckland Council is prohibited from selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of property before 1 July 2012, unless outlined in current long-term Council Community Plan. This includes Council Controlled Organisations. (Section 62)

All regional council policies are adopted into the Auckland Council, until it expires or is revoked. The Auckland Council must confirm or revoke it before 31 October 2015 (Section 95)


Background

Part 2 – Governance of Auckland Council cont..

Local Boards

The Auckland Council must adopt a local board funding policy (Section 13F of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009) Must communicate with the community (Section 13 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009) Must undertake any responsibilities or duties delegated (Section 13 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009) Governing body can delegate duties to local boards (Section 31) Local Boards can propose a by-law (Section 16) Targeted rate for all or part of an area (Section 31) Fees and charges relating to an area, any other revenue connected with a local area (Section 31)


Background

Part 4 – Transport Management

Auckland Transport system includes roads, public transport services, public transport infrastructure. However, it does not include state highways, railways, off-street parking and airfields (section 37)

Auckland Transport is a Council Controlled Organisation (section 38)

Undertake any other transport functions that the Council may lawfully direct it to exercise or delegate to it (section 41)

Board of directors of which 2 may be Councillors, and 1 non-voting director nominated by NZ Transport Agency (section 45)

Must not borrow funds without Auckland Council permission (section 47)


Background

Part 5 – Water Supply and Wastewater

All assets, liabilities, rights, delegations and other relating to water supply or wastewater services transferred to Watercare Services Limited (section Must manage its operations efficiently with a view to keeping charges for water supply and wastewater services at the minimum levels consistent with the effective conduct of its undertakings and the maintenance of the long-term integrity of its assets (section 49)

Must not pay any dividend or distribute any surplus in any way, directly or indirectly, to any owner or shareholder section (section 49)

Can propose bylaws to the Council (section 50)

Must consult on proposed bylaw (section 51)


Background

Part 6 – Spatial Planning

Spatial plan will set out the 20-30 year strategic plan for Auckland (section 49)

Designed to combine regulatory planning (section 49)

The Auckland Regional Council Plan and Regional Growth Strategy remain in effect. No effect once the Council adopts the spatial plan (section 66 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009)


Background

Part 7 – Maori of Tamaki Makaurau

Establishes a board whose purpose is to promote cultural, economic, environmental, and social issues of significance for mana whenua and Māori of Tamaki Makaurau (section 67)

The board must appoint a maximum of 2 persons to sit on each of the Auckland Council's committees that deal with the management and stewardship of natural and physical resources (section 70)

If the Auckland Council asks the board to appoint a person or persons to any other of the council's committees, the board may do so (section 70)

The Auckland Council must take into account the board’s advice (section 73)


Background

Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill 2009

December 2009 - Enactment of third Bill

12 February 2010 - Submissions close

22 February 2010 - Hearings start

1 March 2010 - Decision Wards / Local Boards areas

17 September 2010 - Voting commences

9 October 2010 - Preliminary results

1 November 2010 - Establish new structure


Public issues

Determining ward boundaries (communities)

Maori seats on the Auckland Council

Youth participation ( more than 30% population)

Sale of Assets

Privatisation of Watercare Services

Responsibility of local boards (delegation)

Funding for local boards (local projects)

Resources / funding for community groups


What is a select committee?

Appointed by the House of Representatives to undertake the detailed work Membership reflects the balance of parties in the House Allows the public direct input into the parliamentary process

Why make a submission?

Present your opinions, observations, and recommendations Your chance to shape the laws that affect you


Making a submission

There is no set format for making a submission

Generally submissions are written and/or verbal

Auckland City Youth Council’s submission on the Ocean’s Policy, August 2001


Writing a Submission

Your submission does not have to be a technical masterpiece, it is meant to be about your concerns in your words

There is no set format, it’s up to you how you formulate your submission: your main objective is to write something that states your case clearly and holds the Committee’s attention

The most magnificent submission will count for nought if you don’t make the deadline, so get something on paper first, then worry about perfecting it: an imperfect submission is infinitely more useful than none at all so make sure you submit by the deadline even if you aren’t absolutely satisfied with every aspect of it (you can always elect to appear in person and add further clarification or emphases then)


Who is your audience?

Select Committee members

Select Committee members’ caucuses

The general public (attending the Committee hearings, via media present at hearings, and through publication of the Committee’s findings)

Respectful and well-reasoned submissions will always be received better than terse, rude or garbled submissions


Possible Structure

• Your organisation (what you do, your achievements, what benefits to provide to community and Government, what political pressure you can mobilise – in short, why they should listen to you over the hundreds of other voices)

• Broad outline of concern

• Specific concerns (substantiated by references to clauses in the Bill, your experiences, observations or arguments, or reference to other sources)

• Suggest remedies or ways by which your concerns might be alleviated

Keep it focussed – consider ‘farming out’ submissions on topics that may dilute the focus to friends and family if necessary. Both focus and the number of submissions are important.


Summary

Submissions due Friday, 12 February

Post two copies of submission to Clerk of the Committee, Auckland Governance Legislation Committee, Select Committee Office, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Make a submission online http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/MakeSub/6/3/a/49SCAGL_SCF_00DBHOH_BILL9729_1-Local-Government-Auckland-Law-Reform.htm

Hearings in Auckland start the week of 22 February


Facilitated brainstorming

Split into groups and generate a high volume of ideas.

Rules

Create a process that is free from criticism and judgment

Get everyone involved and build on each others creativity

Process

Make time for brainstorming

Specific concerns

Suggest remedies


Helpful references

Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill 2009http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2009/0112/22.0/DLM2635005.html

Guide on making a submission

http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/6092F83E-CE78-4C66-A50A-CC4490DC9034/103478/makingasubmission2007_1.pdf

Legislation Direct

Phone 04 568 0024


CONTACT DETAILS

Rob Thomas

[email protected]

www.robthomas.co.nz


Super City Select Committee submissions workshops Thursday, 4 February Presentation by Rob Thomas.

Documents

Transcript of Super City Select Committee submissions workshops Thursday, 4 February Presentation by Rob Thomas.