Rotorua council votes to reduce councillor numbers

Rotorua Lakes Council is to reduce councillor numbers from 12 to 10, and establish a second community board to represent the rural community.

The two major changes to future election arrangements were decided on at a council meeting last night (12 November), and are set to come into effect for the next local government election in October 2016, and for the following election in 2019.

The council also agreed to retain the current ‘at large’ voting system where registered electors can cast votes for all councillor positions, rather than return to a ward system where people vote for their ward councillors.

The existing Lakes Community Board is also to be retained for the next two elections.

During discussions councillors considered a proposal put forward by Federated Farmers for establishment of rural ward. However there was concern the proposed model would not meet two important objectives of the Your Choice Working Party – those of fairness and of maximising the number of councillors electors were able to cast votes for.

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, who had chaired the council’s Your Choice Working Party, said she was very pleased with the council's decisions.

"It's a fair reflection of what the working party heard when we went out and talked to people right across the district and across all sectors of the community; and it’s reflective of the submissions the council received.

"I think we've now adopted a good model that aligns well with Local Government Commission's guidelines. It gives people the opportunity to vote for all of their councillors while ensuring that the special interests our rural and lakes communities can be heard on Council.

"And with two well-functioning community boards contributing to the governance and decision-making of the council, a reduction in councillor numbers to 10 is appropriate.

Last night’s council decisions follow comprehensive public engagement undertaken by the Your Choice Working Party, attracting 530 responses from the community. The working party, made up of three independent community representatives and three councillors, had been given tasked with reviewing election arrangements in consultation with the community, and making recommendations to the council.

Their recommendations were then released for a further period of formal public consultation, generating 52 public submissions, with nine submitters also opting to speak to the mayor and councillors at a public hearing.

While Rotorua Lakes Council has now finalised arrangements for the next two elections, the Local Electoral Act requires a one month period where those decisions can be appealed by the public. That period will commence on 19 November.

If there are no appeals lodged by 19 December, the council’s election decisions will be advised to the Local Government Commission and will apply from the 2016 election.

However, if any appeals are received, they will be forwarded to the Local Government Commission for determination, with the commission’s binding decisions expected to be announced by 10 April next year.

ENDS

© Scoop Media