Union of Nelson City and Tasman District
Details of scheme
The Local Government Commission has issued a reorganisation scheme for the union of Nelson City and Tasman District. The new Nelson Tasman District would have a council consisting of a mayor and 16 councillors.
The councillors would be elected from eight wards as follows: Golden Bay one councillor, Lakes-Murchison one councillor, Motueka two councillors, Moutere-Waimea two councillors, Richmond three councillors, Stoke three councillors, Nelson three councillors, and Atawhai one councillor.
The new council would be required to have a rural advisory committee and a Maori board as standing committees to represent these important interests in the district. There would also be two community boards where they currently exist, that is in Golden Bay and Motueka, both having four elected members plus the ward councillors. The community boards would have significant decision-making powers.
The new council would be based in Richmond as proposed in the draft reorganisation scheme.
Advantages and disadvantages
As with any significant change, there are advantages and disadvantages to the scheme. However the Commission believes the advantages of a union of Nelson City and Tasman District strongly outweigh the disadvantages.
The new Nelson Tasman District recognises the clearly identifiable Nelson Tasman community of interest. This community of interest is reflected in the close economic relationship between Nelson City and Tasman District, the growing cross-boundary work patterns of Nelson and Tasman residents, and a wide range of social, service and recreational activities which span the present territorial authority boundary.
The new council would be able to develop a comprehensive and integrated plan for the whole Nelson Tasman area including the fast growing Nelson-Richmond urban area. It would also provide integrated decision-making in respect of the provision of infrastructure, regulation and services to the regional community. In addition, the new council would be able to effectively promote the Nelson Tasman area, both nationally and internationally.
The union would result in financial savings, such as from manager and staff reductions, though it is not possible to quantify the full extent of these until decisions are made by a new council. Some of these savings would be offset by one-off transition costs such as staff redundancies, or could be reinvested in organisational systems, so savings might not be translated into reductions in rates.
To ensure no sudden significant financial impact on ratepayers from the union, the commission has provided for the existing rating arrangements of the two councils, such as levels of general and targeted rates and uniform annual charges, to continue for a three-year period. This would be until the new council adopts a new long-term plan, including funding policies, prior to 1 July 2015. The council would be required to consult the community in the development of this plan.
The new council would have an organisation able to employ more specialist staff in a number of areas to help address key issues and opportunities facing the Nelson Tasman area without the need for them having to be involved in liaison and coordination with another council.
There would be a clear distinction between district-wide and regional decision-making, undertaken by the mayor and councillors, aimed at enhancing the well-being of the Nelson Tasman area as a whole, and local community decision-making undertaken by the community boards. This is designed to help public understanding of the council role and encourage public participation at the appropriate level of decision-making. The Commission expects further community boards or ward committees to be established in the future.
The reorganisation scheme meets all statutory criteria, as far as the Commission considers is reasonably practicable, and as a result it will promote good local government of the Nelson Tasman area.
The Commission acknowledges that union would result in fewer councillors representing the wards of the new district/region. This would be offset by significantly enhanced local decision-making powers for the community boards. Members of community boards would also be able to sit on council committees.
The Commission also acknowledges potential uncertainty for staff of the existing councils as a result of the union during the six-month transition period and possibly for a short period after the new council is established.
Next steps
Electors of Nelson City and Tasman District will vote on the reorganisation scheme in separate polls in April. A majority of voters in both polls is required for the union to proceed.
If a majority of electors in both polls vote in favour, the reorganisation scheme will be implemented by an order in council. A transition committee, comprising representatives of both Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council and an independent chairperson, will then meet to put in place the necessary steps for the new council to come into existence on 1 November 2012. This will follow elections for the new council and community boards in October 2012. The transition committee will recommend the appointment of a person to manage the transition process.
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