Process for Amalgamation Submissions

Thursday 23 September 2010

The Local Government Commission has called for submissions by 8 November 2010 on a proposal to merge Tasman District and Nelson City.

 The Commission tells us that submissions may be made on any matter relevant to the proposal, including:

  • Whether the proposal should proceed;
  • Whether a minor variation to the union proposal should be adopted;
  • The advantages and disadvantages of the proposal compared to the status quo; and
  • If the proposal is implemented, details that could be included in a draft reorganisation scheme such as representation arrangements and community board structures and functions.

 The closing date for submissions is Monday 8 November 2010.

The Process After the Closing Date for Submissions

  • The Commission gives the submissions received to the ‘representative of electors’ (representative of those who signed the petition, in this case Aldo Miccio) and provides the opportunity for the representative to withdraw the proposal.
  • If the proposal is not withdrawn the Commission will likely meet with the affected and adjoining local authorities, community boards, the representative of electors, relevant government agencies, affected Māori organisations and those other people and organisations who have made submissions. This is usually done at a hearing or hearings in the affected areas.
  • The Commission may carry out other investigations and inquiries so that it has enough information on which to make a decision.
  • The Commission then decides whether to issue a draft reorganisation scheme (based on the proposal or on a modification or variation of the proposal) or not to proceed with the proposal.

The Process if a Draft Reorganisation Proposal is Issued

If the Commission Decides to Issue a Draft Reorganisation Proposal Another Public Submission Process is Set in Motion

  • The “draft reorganisation proposal” is then put out to the public who are invited to make further submissions on the draft.
  • The Commission considers those submissions and then decides whether to decline the petition, or to carry on
  • If the Commission decides to carry on it will refine its “draft reorganisation proposal” into a “final reorganisation proposal” and that final plan is put out for a vote in each council area.
  • If the majority in each area vote in favour the proposal becomes the reality. If either community votes against the proposal it fails in total and each Council carries on as before.

What the Local Government Commission is Looking for in a Submission

In order to assess whether a reorganisation proposal will promote ‘good local government’ in a particular area, the Commission has identified the following questions that need to be addressed:

  1. How would the proposed districts/regions better recognise distinct communities of interest?
  2. How would the proposal provide for more effective representation of communities of interest?
  3. Why would the proposal provide for more effective governance of the districts/regions concerned including meeting decision-making requirements?
  4. Why would the proposal facilitate more effective planning for meeting the immediate and long-term needs of the districts/ regions concerned?
  5. How would the proposal facilitate more efficient and effective service delivery in the districts/regions concerned?
  6. How would the proposal provide for enhanced financial capacity in the districts/regions concerned?
  7. How would the proposal provide for enhanced local government management and organisational capacity in the districts/regions concerned?

Where to Send Submissions

Submissions may be sent to the Local Government Commission on the following ways:

  • Mail: Chief Executive Officer, Local Government Commission, PO Box 5362, Wellington, 6145, New Zealand
  • Fax: 04 494 0501
  • Email: info@lgc.govt.nz

Anyone making a submission should clearly state whether they wish to meet with the Commission to speak about their submission (along with a daytime contact telephone number). If this information is not provided, the Commission may assume that the submitter does not wish to appear at a hearing.

  • Please note that it has been the Commission’s practice to make submissions publicly available on its website www.lgc.govt.nz
  • The Commission will maintain a website page dedicated to this proposal and will periodically update this. You can access this page by clicking on the ‘current proposals’ link.
  • Please note submissions need to be made directly to the Commission.