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Feedback Sought on Local Government
Feedback Sought on Local Government
Dunedin (Thursday, 2 April 2015) – An independent panel is reviewing the Dunedin City Council’s representation arrangements and wants to know what residents think.
The Representation Review Team is keen to know people’s views on the structure we have for electing representatives, whether we have the right number of councillors and how our wards and community boards meet the needs of our communities. It also asks whether we need guaranteed Māori representation and how we can encourage more people to vote in local elections.
Review Team Chair Associate Professor Janine Hayward says, “The review is an exciting opportunity to think about how the current representation arrangements are working for Dunedin residents. We look forward to hearing from as many people as possible.”
The DCC is made up of 14 councillors and a mayor. The mayor is voted for by all Dunedin residents while 11 councillors are elected by Central Ward residents, two are elected by Mosgiel Taieri residents and one is elected by residents in the Waikouaiti Coast-Chalmers Ward. Under this structure one councillor represents 8,869 residents.
The DCC also has six community boards, elected by their communities. In total, these boards represent a third of Dunedin’s population.
Councils are required by law to look at their representation arrangements on a regular basis.
The Review Team has been meeting with community boards and other groups and also wants to hear from the public.
Residents are encouraged to fill in a short feedback form, which is available at www.dunedin.govt.nz/represent, or pick up a printed form from the DCC Customer Services Agency in the Civic Centre or from Dunedin Public Libraries and service centres. Feedback is due by 30 April.
There will also be a public meeting in the Dunningham Suite, City Library, at 7pm on Monday, 20 April where people are welcome to ask questions and pass on their views.
Public feedback will help the Review Team make recommendations to the Council in June/July. Formal public consultation will be held later in the year on a proposed structure to apply for the 2016 local elections.
The other Review Team members are Len Cook, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Mayor Dave Cull.
ends
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