High noon has come for the Taupō District Council to make a decision on options for local government reform – though it’s more like high morning teatime.
The council will meet at 10.15am today to discuss its options for local body amalgamation and make a final decision on which one it wishes to pursue.
And chances are it will be ‘thanks but no thanks’.
If councillors agree with the recommendations of the sole item on the agenda – a lengthy paper backgrounding where it has got to with reform options – then it will be contacting central government to say now is not the time for Taupō to be putting in a Head Start amalgamation proposal.
A Head Start proposal is one in which neighbouring councils put forward outlines for amalgamating together into regional unitary authorities – organisations that would consist of several district councils delivering services while also taking on the responsibilities of regional councils. Otherwise, councils may fall into the government’s Back Stop scheme – ie have it done for them. (The two options were outlined in May by central government).
As well as referencing discussions which have taken place with elected members or officers of several neighbouring councils, the comprehensive report on the meeting agenda recommends the council look into a becoming a unitary or subregional unitary authority and suggests responding to the government’s Head Start process with a six-pointed explanation on why it has rejected the Head Start opportunity.
This must be done by an August 9 deadline.
The paper’s suggested recommendation is for the council to recognise that amalgamation discussions involving Taupō require further engagement and exploration. Among the points it suggests be made to government are: concern at the threat of mandatory amalgamation “particularly where the Taupō district community will likely be worse off”, frustration with the short time frame and the challenges in engaging the community to build understanding and support for change.
Any correspondence with government should also though: express a desire for flexibility to work with other councils to present an amalgamation proposal, if required, rather than have an arrangement dictated; encourage flexibility through any subsequent amalgamation process, like Back Stop, for councils to present their own agreed amalgamation proposals rather than having them dictated, and, confirm that if required to amalgamate in the future Taupō’s preferred approach was the formation of a subregional unitary authority.
The rejection of the Head Start offer should also explain that the council had an ongoing interest in the proposals of neighbouring councils and wanted to remain involved if possible, as well as explain why it was not supportive of being included in alternative proposals proposed by other councils.
The report to council said financial analysis suggested the government’s suggested efficiencies for local communities may not be realised and that under the current circumstances the Taupō district community would likely be worse off because of a mandatory amalgamation.
Conversely the council’s figures showed the Taupō District Council could be a sustainable and viable unitary authority.
In a release prior to the meeting Taupō District Council said its goal throughout the three-month process, to look for the best outcome for the people and interests of the Taupō district, had not changed. It had spent the last two months talking to its communities and iwi partners as well has having discussions with neighbouring councils to explore options, the release said.
Some of the feedback from the council’s survey included concern at a loss of local control and voice. Several artists Creative Taupō has spoken to have expressed the same concern.
On June 30 the mayor and councillors had resolved to look deeply into four separate options. They were:
- Option A, a Waikato-wide regional unitary authority consisting of all 11 Waikato councils;
- Option B, a Central North Island sub-regional unitary authority consisting of a combination of Taupō, Waitomo, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato and Ruapehu councils;
- Option C, a cross-regional unitary authority consisting of Taupō, South Waikato, Rotorua and possibly Ruapehu councils; or
- Option D, not putting forward a proposal and waiting for the government’s Backstop process, expected to be in 2031.
However as the report for today’s meeting has outlined, none look as attractive for councillors at present as seeking to make a go of it alone.
The final decision on whether to pass the recommendation in full or part will rest with the Mayor and councillors.
The meeting in the council chamber is open to the public. It will be livestreamed on the council’s YouTube channel and recorded.
