Notice Type
Departmental
Terms of Reference for Investigation into the Structure of Local Government on the West Coast Pursuant to section 37x of the Local Government Act 1974, the Minister of Local Government requests the Local Government Commission to consider and report on the structure of local government on the West Coast, identifying: (a) Which would be the most appropriate structure of local government for the West Coast from amongst the following possibilities, (i) the present structure of a region with a regional council with three constituent territorial authorities; or (ii) a single unitary authority for the present region; or (iii) the abolition of the present region and regional council and the constitution of the present three territorial authorities as unitary authorities; or (iv) the abolition of the present region and regional council and the inclusion of the territory of the region in another region or regions. (b) If the commission should recommend some form of restructuring, what method would be considered appropriate to achieve it; i.e., (i) a procedure in accordance with the provisions of Parts IIB and IIBB of the Local Government Act 1974, including a final poll; or (ii) special legislation, whether with or without the opportunity for some form of prior public input. (c) For any option in (a) above, whether the resultant authority or authorities should carry out all functions, (i) entirely with in-house staff; (ii) by contracting out to another local authority or the private sector; (iii) in partnership with a neighbouring local authority; (iv) by delegating responsibility for service delivery to constituent territorial authorities; or (v) by some combination of the above. (d) For any option in (a) above, the appropriate sources of funding which should be available for the regional council functions being undertaken on the West Coast. Whether this funding should be, (i) limited to the sources under current legislation, e.g., in the Rating Powers Act 1988, the Resource Management Act 1991, and the Local Government Act 1974, etc; or (ii) some additional, special form of funding, such as: a tourism levy; or an investment vehicle; or a levy on timber or minerals extracted from the area; or a the ability to levy rates on lands currently non-rateable; or some other form of specific revenue-raising capability authorised by statute. (e) In undertaking its terms of reference the commission shall consult with, (i) The West Coast Regional Council; (ii) The three territorial authorities within the region; (iii) The Department of Internal Affairs; (iv) The Ministry for the Environment and Department of Conservation; and (v) Other departments and Government agencies, local authorities, persons, and organisations which it considers would assist it in this task. (f) In undertaking its terms of reference the commission shall have regard to the criteria specified in sections 37zqa, 37zr and 37zra of the Local Government Act 1974. The Commission shall report to me by 29 November 1996. Signed at Wellington this 6th day of August 1996. Hon. JOHN BANKS, Minister of Local Government.2
Publication Date
15 Aug 1996

Notice Number

1996-go5220

Page Number

2262