26 August 2015
Council to consult on reducing number of councillors and adding rural community board
At a special council meeting this morning (Wednesday 26 August) Rotorua Lakes Council resolved to undertake formal
public consultation on possible changes to representation arrangements, to come into effect from next year's local
government elections.
Representation reviews are a requirement of local government legislation and must be undertaken every six years.
Two key changes were recommended to the council by the Your Choice Working Party, which has been gathering feedback from
residents over recent months.
The working party recommended that the number of councillors be reduced from 12 to 10. The mayor and councillors would
continue to be elected 'at large' by registered voters across the district.
The other change being recommended is the establishment of a second community board, in addition to the existing Lakes
Community Board. The objective of the new Rural Community Board would be to provide a voice specifically for the
district's rural community.
Mayor Chadwick expressed her appreciation to the Your Choice Working Party for their hard work in the community before
making their recommendations.
"They have fed back to us the pulse of the community. It's a good example of a new way of partnerships with our
community."
The working party comprised three councillors (Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Tania Tapsell, Charles Sturt), and three community
representatives (Aroha Bray, Brian Eagle, Jill Nicholas) and was chaired by Councillor Raukawa-Tait.
Rotorua Lakes Council's formal community consultation programme would take place between 1 September 02 October this
year. After considering public feedback the council would make its final decision in November.
That decision would be followed by a public appeal period, with the outcome of appeals being determined independently by
the Local Government Commission by April next year.
END