Transition Committee pushes through submissions

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 263, 15 November 1988, Page 1

Transition Committee pushes through submissions

Ruapehu local authority representatives have been meeting frequently over the past few weeks attempting to thrash out submissions to the Local Government Commission on the impending reorganization. Last Tuesday the committee met in Ohakune to discuss such topics as boundary adjustments, financial divisions, administration costs, representation on the regional council and the region's name. Committee chairman Garrick Workman opened the meeting by reminding members that the committee should be acting as if the Ruapehu District Council already existed. He expressed the wish that the committee should make decisions for the benefit of the whole district rather than act solely for their respective councils Early in the meeting there was some confusion over the minutes of the previous meeting, in particular, over the preferred ward structure. Waiouru representative Major John McLeod said he thought the committee had earlier decided the choice of the committee was for a separate Turn page 2

Transition committee submissions

From page 1 Waiouru Ward, while Committee Chairman Garrick Workman, with the backing of a number of committee representatives, thought the decision had been for a combined Waiouru/Waimarino ward. The committee decided that the preferred ward structure would be: two rural wards based on the Taumarunui County Council, one urban ward based on the Taumarunui Borough Council and one ward based on the Waimarino District Council, with added to that: "including the Waiouru

area but acknowledging the wishes of Waiouru for their desire of a separate ward." The committee noted that the Waiouru members did not have any votine riehts. The Waiouru Community Advisory Committee has decided, unanimously, to push for a separate Waiouru ward. Ward representation The transition committee discussed at length the basis of ward representation. Chairman Workman said a formula should be decided that could be applied to the

district to work out ward representation. A representation formula based on 45 per cent population, 45 per cent rateable land value and 10 per cent area was suggested. Taumarunui Borough Council Mayor Terry Podmore argued that the ward and ward committee structure should be worked out before any formula was looked at. Other members felt a formula should come first and that if a formula was worked out it could be applied whatever ward structure was later decided. It was felt by many that the working out of ward structures could take a long time and that, with submissions due to the Local Government Commission by November 10, the committee did not have time to discuss ward structures. After it was agreed the committee would work out a representation formula Mr Podmore suggested the sole basis for representation should be population. Taumarunui County Councillor Ken Malcolm said there had to be some recognition of the higher amount of rates that land owners paid. Major McLeod argued that it was undemocratic to base representation o n peronal wealth. H e also asked how the council would resolve the situation where a ward was to be represented by, say, 6.5 members under a formula. Taumarunui Borough Councillor Archie Taiaroa suggested there should be a formula but that it should b e weighted more to population. he said fche council was there to represent people and cater for their needs so population should be given more emphasis. He moved that the formula be 60 per cent

population 35 per cent rateable land value and 5 per cent area. This motion was carried. Financial divisions Whether to create rating divisions within the new district was then discussed with the committee split between opting for none and opting for three, based on the three existing authorities (Waiouru being i n cluded in the Waimarino). Mr Podmore suggested there be no divisions and differential rating systems be used to set rates according to the services offered in the various areas. Mayor Podmore said financial divisions would reduce the council's flexibility to make decisions for the benefit of the whole district. Other representatives felt it would be politically better to have divisions, with some ratepayers believing they did not get a fair deal with no financial divisions. A motion to opt for

financial divisions based on the existing authorities, when put to the vote attracted three for and three against. The committee decided each council would submit their own views on the matter. Apportioning administration costs was not decided by the committee. A motion that costs be apportioned to each area based on the 1989/90 rates was lost. The committee decided the three administration officers should report back to the committee after investigating the matter. Region name The committee decided its preferred name for the region would be "Central North Island Region". The Waimarino District Council has submitted separately that it supports the name "Wanganui Manawatu". Representation of the Ruapehu District on the regional council should be by two members, the committee decided.