The proposed amalgamated council would consist of 1 Mayor and 16 Councillors (elected from 8 Wards). One councillor from Atawhai, Golden Bay and Murchison wards; two councillors from Motueka and Moutere/Waimea wards; and three councillors from Nelson, Stoke and Richmond wards.
Motueka and Golden Bay Wards would also have Community Boards, each with four members, with the option for up to six more community boards in the remaining six wards.
The final proposal also includes the creation of an unelected, paid Rural Advisory Committee comprising 7 members from various rural industries, plus unelected, paid 10-member Maori Board.
The Rural Committee, Maori Board and Community Boards would each appoint a member to sit on (and vote on) every council standing committee (with the exception of finance in the case of the community boards).
The Local Government Commission has estimated an increase of nearly $500,000 per annum in governance costs (which doesn’t include the possible 6 additional community boards). These costs would be met by the ratepayers across the district.
Well done. this gives an easy to glance at idea of what this proposal REALLY means -not much for Tasman rural communities, that's for sure! Then again, not much in it for Tasman anyway: keep your own debt but share all Tasman's assets. Its a bit hard to see how that is a better outcome for all!!!
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