ARC Chairman to host forum on Local Government reform

27 September 2006

Auckland Regional Council Chairman Mike Lee is inviting all the region’s councillors and community board members to a forum on Auckland local government reform next week.

The forum will take place at Mt Smart Stadium from 1 – 3 pm on Monday 2 October.

Mr Lee will present to all of Auckland’s elected local government representatives, the proposal he took to the Auckland Mayoral Forum on September 15.

“We have said all along that any process of local government reform must be inclusive, so it is only appropriate that the region’s councillors and community board members should have the same opportunity for discussion that the Mayoral Forum has had.”

The forum will feature a facilitated workshop, following Cr Lee’s presentation, which is designed to give those invited the opportunity to discuss their views on local government reform.

Central government has indicated that it is prepared to legislate to enable reform in time for next year’s local government elections. The ARC along with Auckland’s city and district councils are working together to develop a proposal for central government by the end of November, in order to meet the legislative deadline.

While the timeframe is very tight, Mr Lee says all those involved have agreed that the process needs to be as inclusive as possible.

“Monday’s forum will be a good start and I encourage all the region’s elected representatives to attend.”

ENDS

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