ONE REGION?
Read this think-piece, prepared by Janine Dowding for Ali Boswijk (CEO, Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce), about what one council may mean for our region.
The paper combines the history of the past proposals, current factors, options, opportunities and Janine's views/experience working in local government.
Key points from the paper:.
- Any discussion on a union of Nelson City Council (NCC) and Tasman District Council (TDC) sits within the context of a failed reorganisation proposal in 2012 (the 2012 proposal).
- A further proposal may be put to the Local Government Commission (the Commission) by one or both of the councils, a group of 10% of electors, or the Minister of Local Government.
- From initiation of an investigation through transition to adoption of a single Council long term plan a timeframe of at least 5 years can be expected.
- A union would likely increase democracy costs and require significant resources for transition. Once fully transitioned cost savings up to 6.1% of total annual operating and capital expenditure was estimated in 2012. New work would be required to provide updated and accurate information.
- A review of submissions to the 2011 draft proposal provide insight into the views of those for and against a union.
- The final 2012 proposal made further changes and there was no opportunity for submission on those changes which reinforced a perception of Nelson ratepayers as winners, and Tasman ratepayers as losers.
- There are material differences between Nelson and Tasman districts which are resulting in tensions and undermining collaboration.
- Financial sustainability is becoming a critical issue for many councils and reinforces the importance of taking measures to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.
- The dialogue needs to shift from “shared services or amalgamation” to “optimal shared services and amalgamation” with a willingness and commitment to examine both.
i. There are numerous options to build on the current platform of shared services including many where work could commence immediately
ii. Current shared services are taking the heat out of reasonable expectations that the two councils are progressing every opportunity to work together for better value for money and enhanced service
iii. Optimal shared services could bring most of the benefits proposed by amalgamation while maintaining the current level of representation. However, it would require enduring shared accountability, commitment and resources that may not realistically be achieved without amalgamation. - Any move towards a new amalgamation proposal must address the key issues that led to the defeat of the 2012 proposal i.e. rates, debt and representation.
- Any initiation of a proposal by a particular interest group is likely to galvanise opposition.
- There are options to progress a proposal that is not seen as aligned to any particular group or agenda.
- Nelson and Tasman councils need to accept responsibility for genuinely examining both shared services and amalgamation. Any reluctance to do so is not in the best interests of the region.