Eastbourne up for by-election

NICHOLAS BOYACK

A by-election that some may view as evidence community boards in the city have done their dash will cost ratepayers $25,000.

Eastbourne Community Board member Geoff Rashbrooke has resigned after circulating a letter spelling out his frustration with the board.

"The board has no real powers and is effectively a sounding board - as such, it is way over-engineered in terms of process (I wonder if the sheer tedium of board meetings is intentional in order to keep people away - if so, it certainly works)," the letter said.

"A problem with democracy is that electibility depends on making people feel good and hence entities like the board are generally reactive rather than proactive - so people like myself, who tend to identify problems and propose change, are just not with the programme."

Mr Rashbrooke goes on to suggest that rather than community boards, areas like Eastbourne and Petone should have community advocates.

He says he stood for the board to try and achieve reduced speed limits around the bays.

He expressed regret about the expense of a by-election but doubted there would be sufficient interest for an election.

Ratepayers forked out nearly $30,000 in June/July last year for a by-election for Petone Community Board after March Lochore resigned barely eight months after being elected.

No election was required for the Eastbourne Board in 2010 because the five nominations matched the number of members required.

Hutt News put it to Mr Rashbrooke that his letter represented a "dummy spit" and he had resigned after being unable to get his way.

He said he does not believe the board is effective and in the circumstances he was not prepared to continue collecting the $6000 a year honorarium.

He only put his name forward for election an hour before nominations closed and says the lack of candidates showed the lack of interest.

Locals with problems always go to ward councillors; the reality is that boards have no real power in Hutt City, he says.

With only 4000 people in Eastbourne, he questions whether it needs a board, especially when there do not appear to be any significant local issues.

Returning officer Stuart Duncan says with more than 12 months to go before the next full election, the council has "no alternative" and must hold a by-election.

"The total cost will depend on a number of factors but early estimates are that it will be in the region of $25,000."

Nominations will close on February 14. If there are two or more candidates, election day will be April 4. Voting will be by postal ballot.

The council is holding a representation review later in the year, with one of the issues being the future of boards in the city.

- Hutt News