Raetihi for union proposal but still looks elsewhere

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 38, 4 March 1986, Page 1

Raetihi for union proposal but still looks elsewhere

The Raetihi Borough Council last week unanimously ratified and endorsed the draft proposal for amalgamation of the three Waimarino local authorities with the exception of one clause. The draft was written by independent chairman Fred Spindley, former district clerk with the Waipukurau County, after an incommittee meeting of the steering committee enquiring into amalgamation on 7 February. At meetings a week earlier the Ohakune Borough Council had already accepted the proposal while the Waimarino County Council had expressed continuing concern about financial aspects. Raetihi councillors were particularly concerned with clause 12 (d) which Cr Andrew Cornwall said was "presumptuous and out of order." The clause states: "All loans with the exception of the Ohakune Borough Council Office Loan shall remain as a due charge against the ward presently servicing such debt." Councillors said this had not been discussed at the steering committee meeting and they would not endorse it. Prior to council's acceptance Mayor Garrick Workman said that while he supported ratification of the draft proposal he felt that Raetihi councillors should investigate other amalgamation possibilities. "I think we should meet with all other areas who wish to include us in their

proposal and seek their view of the benefits to be gairted before we commit ourselves in any direction — I personally do not think our local union will come about," he said. Mr Workman went on to say that events of the last six months, including the collapse of farmers' incomes and the explosion of local body officers' salaries, had placed a whole new slant on amalgamation. Cr Cornwall however said that the three councils had agreed to a local amalgamation proposal over several meetings and looking for alternatives was procrastination against the inevitable. "Price increases are red herrings — they apply whether we amalgamate or not, and any alternative offer will embrace the whole Waimarino anyway — if we are not careful we will be like Christchurch and be told what to do," he said. Mayor Workman replied that ratepayers would be thinking in dollar terms. "If we send out high rate demands after amalgamation when we could have saved with other proposals we would deservedly be out of office," he said. After the debate Mayor Workman told Cr Cornwall that he was still determined to investigate other proposals. He said that the council should find out from the chairman of the Local Government Commission, Mr Brian Elwood, when he meets councils on 10 March, what advantages other amalgamation proposals would have for Raetihi.