Making a Stand Made Easy a Candidate’S Guide to Local Government
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Making a stand made easy A candidate’s guide to local government Welcome Lawrence Yule President, Local Government New Zealand I am pleased that you are considering Democracy only works when citizens are standing for election. Local government prepared to stand up and contribute to the provides for the well-being of communities public good and, to be effective, elected and leads, nurtures and responds members need to reflect the diversity of to community views. A key principle our communities. underpinning local democracy is that To stand for office you simply need to be decision-making power should rest as a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on close as possible to the communities the Parliamentary electoral roll, willing to affected by the decisions made. participate and committed to serving your It’s also important councils represent local community. Elected members take an their communities and operate oath to faithfully, impartially and according effectively and efficiently. to their best skill and judgement, execute and perform their duties in the interests of Local Government New Zealand believes the community, city, district or region. that local democracy is about: • having the right mix of people, The role of an elected member can be elected locally, to best represent demanding at times, but it is also highly each community; rewarding. I hope this publication gives • ensuring services are provided to you valuable information to help you the community in the best way on your way. If you would like more possible; information please check out our website • taking a collective approach to at www.lgnz.co.nz or speak to the electoral meeting community needs; and officer of the council in the area you want • creating a sense of local identity to stand in. and place. Good luck. 1 What is local government? Territorial authorities, regional The territorial authorities’ functions include: councils and their functions • community well-being and development; Local government provides communities • environmental health and safety with a wide range of services and facilities (including building control, civil which contribute significantly to quality of defence, and environmental health life. We often associate councils with the matters); roads, rates and rubbish – but councils • infrastructure (roading and transport, do much more. They play a vital role in sewerage, water/stormwater); enabling local communities to grow • recreation and culture; and and develop. • resource management, including land Councils plan for the future of their use planning and development control. communities, they determine what There are 11 regional councils which developments and activities are manage the natural resources of an area. permissible and regulate activities such This includes: as subdivisions, housing developments, • biosecurity control (including pest business activities, and animal and control and noxious plants); environmental protection. Territorial • resource management (quality of water, authorities and regional councils have soil, coastal planning); different functions and responsibilities. • flood and river management; Councils’ primary source of funding comes • civil defence (natural disasters, marine from rates. Rates fund around 60 per cent oil spill); and of all council activities. • regional transport planning and There are 78 councils in New Zealand, passenger transport services. 67 of which are territorial authorities. Six territorial authorities are known The territorial authorities include 12 city as “unitary authorities”, as they have councils, and 55 district councils (six of the responsibilities of both territorial which are unitary authorities). authorities and regional councils. The unitary councils are Auckland Council, Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council, Marlborough District Council , Gisborne District Council and the Chatham Islands Council. Councils have the ability, following Councils’ primary source of consultation, to transfer functions funding is rates. between regional councils and territorial authorities, so which council does what may vary from place to place. 2 Council responsibilities A council also must: • ensure that the services provided are Councils are required to give effect to their managed efficiently and effectively; purpose, which is to: • exercise community leadership; • enable democratic local decision- • manage, protect, develop, restore, making and action by, and on behalf of, enhance and conserve the environment; communities; and • account for and manage assets for • meet the current and future needs of which it is responsible; communities for good quality local • facilitate involvement of councillors, infrastructure; local public services; and members of the public, users of performance of regulatory functions facilities and services and council staff in a way that is most cost-effective for in the development, improvement and households and businesses. co-ordination of local government; • raise funds for local purposes by When performing its role a council way of rates, charges and fees and must have regard to the contribution investments, loans and grants; the following core services make to its • keep the local community informed communities: about its activities; • network infrastructure; • ensure that in the exercise of its • public transport services; regulatory functions it acts without • solid waste collection and disposal; bias; and • the avoidance or mitigation of natural • act as a responsible employer. hazards; and • libraries, museums, reserves, recreational facilities; and other community infrastructure. 3 What is governance? Many territorial authorities have community boards. Community boards exist to Governance, in a council sense, involves make sure that a community’s interests providing leadership for the good of are being adequately represented and the community. It is about balancing to bring decision-making closer to the views, resources and needs and citizens themselves (depending on the making decisions that are best for the functions and responsibilities delegated community. It is not about implementing to them by the council). Auckland Council decisions – that is the responsibility has 21 local boards that provide a similar of council management and staff. function but with greater decision- Councils have two major governance roles: making powers than community boards • being the governing body for the – including not having to have their council organisation; and decisions endorsed by the Council. • a bylaw-making and regulatory role. The key governance responsibilities of Who makes decisions? councils are to: Elected members are responsible for • connect with the community; making decisions on matters such as • set policies; and the services the council will provide, the • monitor and review the performance of standard they are provided to, how they the organisation. will be paid for and what bylaws need to be made. Councils have a chief executive Council structures and other staff to provide advice and Local authorities, other than the new implement these decisions. Most decisions Auckland Council, are governed by the are made in formally constituted meetings council, also known as “the committee or made under delegation by staff. of the whole.” A council has the discretion to appoint any standing committee, special committee or subcommittee it considers appropriate. Standing committees (or permanent committees) are responsible for much of the work the council does. They are responsible for a council’s regulatory services, planning, recreation and safety, as well as promoting economic development, although some councils now operate without committees. 4 Is the public entitled to attend Council roles council meetings? There are a number of clearly defi ned roles Absolutely. The public is entitled to within council: attend meetings of councils and council • mayors and regional council committees, local boards and community chairpersons; boards. Public access to meetings ensures • deputy mayors and deputy transparency and accountability as well as chairpersons; providing a mechanism for the community • committee and subcommittee to give direct feedback to the council. members; • committee chairpersons; Councils, local boards and community • councillors; boards do have the right to discuss some • local board chairpersons; matters in private such as matters of • local board members; individual privacy or commercial sensitivity. • Community board chairpersons; and They may also elect to hold workshops to • Community board members. debate and fi nd out more about an issue and these are usually held in private. The Local Government Offi cial Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) makes offi cial information pertaining to local government available, unless there is a valid reason for withholding it. The public is entitled to attend meetings of councils and council committees, local boards and community boards. 5 What roles do elected members fulfil? Mayor presiding member at council meetings and responsibility for ensuring meetings The role of mayor is important as the are conducted in an orderly manner. ceremonial head of the council providing leadership to other elected members and The chairperson advocates on behalf of the organisation. The job is varied, involves the regional community by promoting and long hours, and a wide range of duties representing its interests and providing such as chairing meetings, taking a public leadership and feedback