Letters 22 July
Get enrolled for local by-election
The resignation of Cr Noel Riley has prompted a by-election and already Golden Bay Community Board member Mik Symmons has indicated that he will be standing in the October election which will be held by postal ballot.
Locals are urged to enrol to vote or check that their enrolment details are correct.
“A by-election for the Golden Bay Ward takes place in just 11 weeks’ time. All eligible people will need to enrol or update their enrolment details by 16 August to vote in the by-election,” says Sue Gage, registrar of electors for the West Coast-Tasman electorate.
“Enrolling is quick and easy. Enrolment forms are available by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56), by Freetexting your name and address to 3676, from any PostShop or by requesting or downloading one from the elections website <www.elections.org.nz>.
Enrolling to vote in the Parliamentary elections automatically enrols those people living in the [location(s)] area for the by-election.
People can also check their enrolment details on the electoral roll at any PostShop, courthouse or public library.
Proposed union of councils
The Local Government Commission has provided a wonderful opportunity to return “local government” to “locals” in the draft re-organisation proposal. The key is to ensure that delegations to community boards are as wide as possible. Current proposals can be improved on.
Under the Local Government Act 2002 there are very few responsibilities that cannot be delegated to community boards. These are: under s53 (3) (a) buy, hold or dispose of property; and (b) appoint, suspend, or remove staff. Under Schedule 7 32 (1): make a rate; make a by-law; borrow money; adopt a long term or annual plan or annual report; appoint a chief executive; adopt statutory policies; warrant enforcement officers.
Everything else can be delegated to community boards. Boards can also provide local input to the excluded matters prior to final decision-making.
Submissions are urged to enable delegations to community boards to include everything which is not specifically excluded. Compiling long lists of specific delegations may inadvertently exclude responsibilities which a board should undertake.
We also need to ensure the re-allocation of budgeted resources to enable boards to carry out their delegated responsibilities.
Submissions to info@lgc.govt.nz or PO Box 5362, Wellington close on 19 August.
Joe Bell
Proposed union of councils (cont)
The sudden concern shown by Mayor Kempthorne for community boards did not fool anyone at last night’s meeting about the amalgamation of TDC and NCC. He declined to ensure that delegated authorities recommended by the Local Government Commission would be implemented should the amalgamation not proceed, and he is continuing to spend your rates in an attempt to denigrate the proposal. When questioned about our massive debt in comparison to NCC, he was unable to provide basic fiscal information.
The best way to proceed is for Golden Bay people to submit strongly for increased delegated authorities with matching remuneration. We could have that Pohara-to-Takaka cycle/walkway if we had meaningful control of our transport budget. We could have the country’s first composting toilet initiative instead of forever looking for a new smelly sewerage site.
We need better than a community board that can only make recommendations. We need to decide our own strategies and policies here in Golden Bay by means of a truly empowered community board. Anyone wanting help to make a submission can ring me at 525 9298.
Victoria Davis
During the Takaka meeting on 18 July, two issues were raised which require further comment.
The first is council debt. Projected TDC debt by 2019 is $269,500,000. At the current budgeted interest rate of 6.6%, accumulated debt at this level for 30 years would result in an interest bill of $349,836,060 and a total repayment of $619,336,060. Interest rates are predicted to rise. This interest would be paid by ratepayers.
In addition, “debt funding” is “sold” as “fairly spreading the cost of projects over generations”. This is only relevant for projects that actually last for the term of the loan. Some loan-funded projects, such as the Pohara sewerage scheme, don’t last for even half the term of a loan.
The second issue is targeted rates. In response to a request that council support the Pohara-to-Takaka walkway/cycleway, a Richmond councillor suggested a Golden Bay targeted rate be levied. I have been unable to find a targeted rate on Richmond ratepayers for their walkway/cycleways.
The Local Government Commission draft re-organisation proposal has identified cost savings through reduced duplication of $4.7 million per year. It would be logical to use these savings to reduce debt and fund projects.
Joe Bell
Christchurch earthquake appeal
A huge thank you to all those who recently donated bedding and warm clothing for Christchurch people. Thanks also to the packer for his time and the company for free feight. A tremendous response.
Members of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Ashburton are visiting and supporting those in the most affected areas on a weekly basis.
Sheryl Nalder on behalf
of the St Vincent de Paul Society.
allshorts is back
Hey filmmakers! allshorts NZ short film and music video festival is calling for submissions. Free to enter. Details from our website <allshorts.org.nz> Submissions close 30 September and screens at the Village Theatre Takaka, 29 October 2011.
Paddy Brennan
GB Integrated Community Health Centre
I hope that Paul Wylie and Richard Kempthorne are pleased with themselves now that they have what they have been aiming at all along. It is sad to see that council would give the proceeds from the sale of the Golden Bay Medical Centre to a group of self-appointed people that have built up over a period of years.
This has come about by the Mayor and CEO of TDC in back room meetings with the DHB who want to get rid of the taxpayer funded hospital to the Golden Bay Community.
In a confidential late report, released to me under the official information act, the CEO misinformed his council which they have no intention of correcting.
Stacked elections for the Golden Bay Medical Centre Trust.
At the last meeting of GBMCT held 6 May the trustees voted to recommend that the proceeds of the medical centre sale go to the integrated health centre trust. Two of these trustees are members of the new trust and one other trustee’s partner is also a member of the new trust. With a slide of the hand they effectively gave themselves the money. I believe and the legal opinion I have says that this is a conflict of interest, not professional or ethical.
However this is the monster that Mr Wylie and Mr Kempthorne helped to setup. I liken it to two rotten apples in a bin, it doesn’t take long to taint the rest. This is a sad indictment on the Tasman District Council. With amalgamation pending hopefully we will get rid of the rotten apples.
Harry Holmwood, 25 years voluntary service to GBMC
Response from Mayor Richard Kempthorne: At the request of the GB Medical Centre Trust the council sought to assist the Golden Bay community through a timely commitment to release funds that will come from the sale of the Golden Bay Medical Centre Trust property. The current facility will not be sold before the new facility is up and running and the medical services are established in the new facility.
We endeavoured to and have, I believe, delivered the best outcome for the Golden bay community.
Response from Andrew Swanson-Dobbs, deputy chair Interim Management Group, Golden Bay Integrated Family Health Centre: While we acknowledge the work that Mr Holmwood has put into health in Golden Bay we are mindful of the need to create a sustainable health centre for the Bay for years to come.
The resources of the Golden Bay Community Hospital and Joan Whiting Trust Resthome will also be put into the Integrated Community Health Centre.
School holiday soccer programme
Big thanks to GBHS 1st XI in advance for putting on a school holiday soccer programme at the school fields next Monday and Tuesday from 9.30-11.30am for eight to 13-year-olds. Funds raised will help send the high school team to Ashburton later in the season. I hope the programme is a great success. (Ed. Further details on page 8.)
Mark Shelly
