The Geraldine Community Board opposes Timaru District Council abandoning the ward system, and will consider aligning to an adjoining council if the wards are dropped.

At last night's board meeting, which started with a minute's silence for the late Geraldine ward councillor Michael Oliver, six motions were passed by the board in support of the ward system.

The Timaru District Council voted last week to abandon the ward system in favour of councillors being elected across the whole district, while retaining the three community boards of Temuka, Pleasant Point and Geraldine. At present those districts have one councillor each and Timaru seven.

Geraldine Community Board member Dave Moss successfully moved that the board "rejected the Timaru District Council option to develop an at-large option".

Member Kerry Steven's motion sought a budget of $20,000 from the council to engage in legal representation to challenge the at-large system.

Member Anna Guerin successfully moved that if the council did not substantially change its initial proposal a public meeting would be called for Geraldine ratepayers.

Member Danny Gresham's motion was that if the proposal was not adjusted financial support would need to be provided by the council to allow the board to consider aligning with the Ashburton or Mackenzie District Councils.

McGregor Simpson raised a motion that the board should be made up of six elected and two appointed members, one of which should be the ward councillor.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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