Council is wary of new bill

Changes to the Local Government Act have New Plymouth councillors concerned they could be forced to amalgamate with others in the region.

New legislation could see Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) set up to take water and transport management away from local councils.

At Wednesday’s monitoring committee meeting councillors said they were worried this could lead to amalgamation, given water and transport issues made up 40 per cent of the New Plymouth District Council’s operational expenditure.

At other councils this percentage was even higher, Harry Duynhoven said.

‘‘Take water and roading of some councils like the Stratford District Council, it makes up around 75 per cent or more of their activity,’’ Duynhoven warned. ’’Wouldn’t the ratepayers say, ‘well, why bother having a council?’’’

Councillor Richard Jordan said the council should be wary of how CCOs may impose on them in the future.

‘‘Their transparency, their accountability will be all but gone from your local ratepayer,’’ he said.‘‘LGNZ are also very wary that it would be amalgamation by stealth.’’

Deputy Mayor Heather Dodunski said Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Liga had indicated he would resign if anybody was amalgamated without a public consultation process.

‘‘Whatever is decided should be our decision, it should not be something that’s hoisted onto us.’’

At the meeting, councillors agreed to put a submission voicing their concerns about the proposed Local Government Act 2003 Amendment Bill (No.2), to the Select Committee.

The submission, compiled by Chief Executive Barbara McKerrow, noted Taranaki’s four local authorities were already working together in a number of instances and the bill could remove local democratic decisionmaking.