1. Presentation to Mayoral Forum
Local Government Reform – Where to from here?
Presentation to Mayoral Forum
by Mike Lee
Chairman, ARC
15 September 2006

2. Letter to the PM from ARC’s Chairman
It is time to look at ways to improve efficiency & effectiveness of Auckland local government
We need to strengthen regional government
Auckland is one economy, property market & labour market, it has one transport system, one environment.
Auckland’s pressures, decisions about land use & infrastructure impact all of its cities & districts

3. Letter to the PM from ARC’s Chairman
We need to address historic underinvestment in infrastructure
We need to reduce costs & provide more value
Managing urban sprawl & aligning public transport requires decisionmaking in the regional public interest
At the same time distinct local communities require local democracy

4. The proposal of the 4 City Mayors
Over the last week the ARC has considered the reform proposal made by the four Mayors
ARC was unhappy with the process & has serious concerns with many aspects of the proposal
We do agree with its call for stronger regional government

5. ARC agrees There is a need to change
We struggle to deliver on strategies for Auckland’s urban sustainability and economic transformation
The region needs stronger regional governance, more cohesive leadership & decision-making
We can increase efficiency by removing duplication
There is a need to redefine what is regional and what is local, along the lines of the proposal (and indeed what is national)

6. ARC agrees it’s time to progress:
Horizontal and vertical integration of the water, wastewater and stormwater services in Watercare
Vertical integration (or partial integration) of transport
A single rates engine
Fixing Civil Defence and Emergency Management
Efficiencies and consistency of charging for building consents

7. ARC agrees it’s time to progress:
Stronger heritage protection powers
A single economic development agency
Rationalisng sports facilties and stadiums
Savings in administration to benefit ratepayers
A national policy statement on population growth and development
A re-orientated of audit process focused on costs
More democracy – including a regional forum for all Councillors, community board members and Mayors

8. Is there support elsewhere for change?
Discussion over recent weeks reveals support amongst Mayors and business community for looking at change
Government preparedness to legislate before local body elections, for workable proposal that has level of agreement
We need to ask others who are affected
We need to listen to the public

9. Process for change - proposal
That local authority and governmant officials develop a process to deliver a proposal for local government reform that enjoys widespread support

10. Scope of review could include:
What functions should be delivered regionally and what functions should be delivered locally
Representation
Mechanisms to better manage the interface & relationship between local and regional interests
Link to other reviews of funding

11. Reform proposal must:
Address the agreed short-comings of current arrangements
Identify opportunities for increased efficiency & effectiveness that exceed costs of reform
Support the democratic purpose of local government
Scope implementation requirements including legislation & staging
Require minimum Auckland specific legislation

12. The process for change must:
Be inclusive
Be principles based
Involve relevant government departments fully
Provide appropriate local and central government political involvement & endorsement
Define the problem, and evaluate a range of solutions
Look at role & function before form & governance