Local boards clarified

BY SCOTT MORGAN

The role of local boards in the controversial Auckland supercity structure has become a little clearer.

The Auckland Transition Agency sees the boards taking charge of local facilities including parks, libraries, swimming pools and halls, as revealed in a report to
the local government re-
form select committee last week.

The agency's local government adviser Grant Taylor told the committee of MPs that the new Auckland Council's role would include responsibility for regional assets like sports stadiums and concert venues.

Under the recommendations the council would also develop regional policy including the development of bylaws governing the likes of liquor consumption and dog leash areas.

Local boards would be asked for their input in forming the bylaws and the council could delegate to the board the power to decide where liquor bans or off-leash areas are implemented.

But Mr Taylor faced some tough questioning from opposition MPs who claimed the local boards' powers had been watered down from what was initially promised last year.

"It really doesn't seem to satisfy the demands of the people of Auckland," Labour Auckland issues spokesman Phil Twyford said.

Labour list MP Jacinda Ardern also raised concerns about the relationship between local boards and council-controlled organisations.

"I see it is a contradiction local boards won't have any regulatory powers while non-elected council-controlled organisations will."

Under the agency's plan, council-controlled organisations will be responsible for areas such as transport, water and events.

Local boards will be able to represent the views of their community to the organisation on a particular topic, such as a stadium upgrade.

But it is up to organisation staff how they incorporate those ideas into the final plan.

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide is pleased with the agency's recommendation, which he says makes the local boards more significant than community boards.

Each local board is set to have its own office space in individual communities.

The boards will be required to reach an annual agreement with the Auckland Council that sets out the delivery and funding of services in their area.

Any disputes between a particular board and the council that can not be resolved can be referred to
the Local Government Commission for dispute resolution.

"Hopefully we've got this 85 percent right and it will keep developing," Mr Taylor says.

"There needs to be room for that to happen."

He says the Auckland Transition Agency will be able to further develop strategies for specific local boards once the Local Government Commission finalises ward boundaries later this
month.

People can have their say on the agency's recommendations by visiting www.discussiondocuments.co.nz or writing to Local Board Feedback, Auckland Transition Agency, PO Box 99394, Newmarket 1149.

Feedback must be received by March 26.

- © Fairfax NZ News