Statement of Proposal Representation Review ~ 2018

How should you be represented by your local Council?

Buller District Council has proposed creating a new ward for the 2019 Local Government Elections ~

You have the opportunity to submit on this proposal...... it may affect you! www.bullerdc.govt.nz/representation-review/ Representation Review ~ August 2018

Introduction The Local Electrocal Act requires all local authorities to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years. This process is called the Representation Review. The representation arrangements decided on during this process will be used for the 2019 local government elections. The rules for local government representation are set in the Local Electoral Act 2001 and the Local Government Act 2002, and require all councils to review their representation model at least six yearly. One of the criteria is to have an equal distribution of population across the councillors. This is to ensure that the public has the same opportunity for representation and also to distribute the workload fairly between councillors. One of the reasons to review each six years is that over time, communities change. Sometimes in size, but also in terms of their makeup - rural, urban, industries, small or big town. The review considers wards, the numbers of councillors required, and community boards. The review does not formally include the council’s own committees. The Buller district is considering introducing an additional ward south of the Buller River – the “Paparoa Ward”. This new ward would exclude Carters Beach and areas nearby Carters Beach which would still remain in the Westport ward. Westport ward would lose one councillor and the new ward would be represented by one elected member. The new Paparoa Ward would fit within the legislative criteria and it may better represent the communities in the proposed ward. Council is seeking feedback from on this proposal from the community.

Proposed Model The proposed model is to increase the current number of wards from 3 to 4 with the addition of a new ward south of the Buller River which would be called the Paparoa Ward. The wards for Seddon and Inangahua would remain unchanged, however the Westport Ward representation would be reduced by one Councillor to a total of five and one Councillor would represent the newly proposed Paparoa Ward. The new Paparoa Ward would encompass all of the area of the district representation review is that representation of Councillors to the south of the Buller River to the boundary south of Punakaiki but population within the ward must be within plus or minus 10% to excludes the township of Carters Beach and the immediate surrounds comply with legislation. Creation of the new ward is likely to be of Carters Beach. within the thresholds. Carters Beach and surrounds would remain with the Westport Ward If Carters Beach was included in the Paparoa Ward then it, and the due to the close association the Carters Beach community has with Westport ward, would not meet the 10% threshold and it is unlikely Westport town, and because if the Carters Beach area was included in that the Local Government Commission would then accept the the Paparoa Ward the ratio of population to Councillor representation proposal would not meet the rules and legislation. Under the current arrangements and in the proposal Seddon Ward is The proposed new ward can be seen in the maps included in this outside the 10% threshold. This is because the Seddon ward which Consultation Document. includes Karamea is considered a ‘community of interest’ taking into account the needs of isolated communities. Table 1 sets out the estimated representation that would result from the proposal. The key parameter that must be met by a Representation Review ~ August 2018

Details of the proposed ward: The proposal has the Paparoa Ward taking in the areas:

„„ South of the Buller River but excluding the area bordered by the Buller River from the Buller Bridge;

„„ State Highway 67A through to Martins Bridge, then following Bradshaws Creek through to Bradshaws Road; and

„„ North through to the Tasman Sea (being basically all of the area west and south of the Buller River except the township of Carters Beach and its environs).

Positives and PROS:

„„ May increase representation for the area south of Westport such as Charleston and negatives of Punakaiki. „„ Creating the new ward fits within representation criteria. the proposal „„ Creating the ward recognises the Punakaiki area, Charleston and southern area has a strong sense of identity and has issues distinct from the district as a whole. Council considers that the creation „„ Those included in the Paparoa Ward would only vote for one candidate, however, of a new Paparoa Ward may provide all Councillors elected represent the District and its constituents as a whole. better representation for constituents further down the coast and in areas such as Punakaiki. However constituents in the northern part of the ward who reside close to CONS: Westport could no longer vote for up to six representatives instead having „„ There is a cost to the ratepayer of performing a review that is different to the status quo. a single dedicated representative. Therefore it is important Council „„ People living close to Westport but south of the town would only get to vote for one representative instead of six as they do under current arrangements. receives submissions on the proposal, to ensure there is fair and effective „„ Creating a new southern ward may not necessarily mean that low population settlements such as Punakaiki would have an elected member from their representation for individuals and community because the greater population in the ward is closest to Westport. communities.

Representation Review Timeline: 18 July 2018...... Council agreed to consult the public. 31 July 2018...... Consultation document for interim proposal is available - submissions open 31 August 2018...... Last day to receive submissions to the interim proposal - submissions close. 19 September 2018...... Hearing will take place - verbal submissions will be heard, written submissions will be considered 26 September 2018...... Council will decide their final proposal 19 October 2018...... Final proposal to be advertised by this date 20 November 2018...... Last day to receive appeals or objections to the final proposal 15 January 2019...... Last day to send appeals and objections to the Local Government Commission for them to make a decision. 11 April 2019...... Local Government Commission will make their final decision by this date. Westport

Representation Review ~ August 2018 Proposed

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Inangahua Community Board 4 Members Representation Review ~ August 2018 Our current representation model Council has 10 members elected into wards, excluding the Mayor who is elected at large. The Inangahua Community Board has 4 elected members. This has been the case since the 2007 election, with the insertion in Table 2 sets out the current representation of the Buller District. the Act (in 2002) for the “fair representation” section (19V). Except for Seddon ward which complies under a ‘community Prior to that change, the Council representation was 3 in the of interest’ exception to take account of the needs of isolated Seddon ward, 3 for Inangahua and 5 for the Westport ward.The communities, Westport and Inangahua ward are within the legal Inangahua Community Board had 6 members (as set out in the 1989 representation threshold of plus or minus 10%. Reorganisation of the West Coast determination).

Representation Review Requirements The Council is required to conduct a representation review at least once every six years. This means it needs to review its electoral arrangements in respect to: „„ the number of elected members; „„ whether those members are to be elected at large, or by ward, or by a combination of both; „„ ward boundaries, ward names and the number of elected members for each ward; and „„ whether there should be community board(s) and if so, the nature and structure of the community board(s). The results of the representation review undertaken by the Council this year will be relevant for the next Local Government triennial elections which are to be held on 12 October 2019. Representation reviews are to be undertaken in accordance with the Local Government Act and the Local Electoral Act. A challenging aspect of this legislation is the requirement for there to be an equitable population ratio per councillor. This rule is often referred to as the “plus or minus 10% rule”. The +/- 10% rule Council’s must ensure that the population of each ward, divided by the number of members to be elected by that ward, produces a figure no more than 10% greater or smaller than the population of the district divided by the total number of elected members (excluding the mayor). There are some limited exceptions to this rule. This rule is made is so there is equality in representation, so that each representative has votes of equal value when compared to all other representatives.

Table 1: Population/Councillor ratio of proposed wards

Ward Population Members Ratio Difference % Difference Local Seddon 1,670 2 835 -180 -17.7% Government Inangahua 1,970 2 985 -30 -3.0% Westport 5,584 5 1,115 68 10.0% Commission Paparoa 919 1 919 96 -9.1% The Local Government Commission (LGC) has a statutory role to determine the representation Total 10,150 10 1,015 arrangements of councils when there are appeals or objections made to a council’s final decision. The LGC will then consider the Table 2: Population/Councillor ratio of current wards appeals and objections and arrange their own hearing on the matter. The relevant council has Ward Population Members Ratio Difference % the opportunity to put their case and reasons Difference for their proposal to the LGC, as do objectors. Seddon 1,670 2 835 -180 -17.7% The LGC then determines the representation arrangement which can be different to what the Inangahua 1,970 2 985 -30 -3.0% council decided, or a variation, or the same. The Westport 6,500 6 1,083 68 6.7% LGC’s decision is final. Total 10,150 10 1,015

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Contact your local Councillor, email Council on [email protected] or phone Council on [03] 788-9111 www.bullerdc.govt.nz/representation-review/ RepresentationRepresentation Review Review ~ August~ August 2018 2018 Process The Local Government Commission provides guidelines to assist councils with their reviews and to help them understand the statutory criteria. We have followed these guidelines in the Council meetings to arrive at our proposed representation arrangements.

Identify communities of interest Determine effective representation for identified

„„ Determine the communities of interest of the communities of interest region, district or community. „„ Consider whether each identified community of interest needs separate representation, or whether communities of interest can be grouped together in certain ways to achieve effective representation. „„ Consider whether effective representation for identified communities of interest is best achieved by way of either: Consider fairness of representation for -- an at large system; electors of the electoral subdivisions -- a ward system; - „„ Consider a range of options for the total - or a mixed system with election partially at large and partially by ward. membership of the local authority or „„ For community boards, territorial authorities must consider whether: community board. Under each option, -- there should be community boards; and determine the ratio of population per member -- the nature of any community and the structure of any community for each proposed electoral subdivision. board. „„ For each option, compare the subdivision ratios calculated with the average population per member for the Council as a whole. „„ Under any of the options for total membership, do the subdivision ratios fall within Community Board Reviews „„ Consider whether community boards can enhance local governance and -- +/- 10% of the average population per member? representation. „„ -- if “yes”, which option would provide the Consider both the constitution of new boards and the disestablishment of optimal Council size? existing boards. -- if “no”, consider altering subdivision „„ The following matters should be considered: boundaries or reconfiguring subdivision -- will the proposal promote the good local government of the parent arrangements so that the subdivision district and the community area concerned? ratios fall within +/- 10% of the average -- would the community have the resources necessary to enable it to carry population per member. out its responsibilities, duties and powers? -- If alteration or reconfiguration does -- would the community encompass an area that is appropriate for the not achieve the required ratios or is efficient and effective exercise of its responsibilities, duties and powers? impracticable, consider whether there are -- would the community contain a sufficiently distinct community of sufficient grounds to not comply with the interest or sufficiently distinct communities of interests? requirements.

Submissions Council now invites submissions on this interim proposal with the consultation being open for one month. Submissions will be accepted until 4:30pm on Friday 31 August 2018. If you want to verbally address Council about your submission please make sure you clearly indicate this on your submission form. You must make your submission in writing. What’s next! Submissions can be done online, emailed, delivered The consultation period for this interim proposal closes at 4:30pm on Friday or posted: 31 August 2018, Council will then hold a hearing on Wednesday 19 September 2018 to consider all verbal and written submissions. A decision on details „„ Online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ for the final proposal will be made at the Council meeting on Wednesday 26 Representation-Review September 2018. „„ Email to [email protected] The final proposal will be available by Friday 19 October 2018 to give the public „„ Drop in to Council offices in Westport or Reefton an opportunity to appeal or object to that decision. Any appeals or objections are to be passed on to the Local Government Commission who will make the „„ Mail to Buller District Council, PO Box 21, final decision. Westport 7866 If there are no appeals or objections, the Council’s decision is final and the see www.bullerdc.govt.nz/representation- new representation arrangements will take effect from the next triennial local review/ for further details government elections which are going to be held on 12 October 2019. RepresentationRepresentation Review Review ~ August~ August 2018 2018

SUBMISSION FORM Buller District Council ~ Representation Review

Submitters details Name: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms:

Address: Phone: Email:

Would you like to speak at the Hearing about your submission? Yes No

Do you support Council’s proposal to create a new Paparoa electoral ward? Yes No

Comments:

Submissions close 4:30pm Friday 31 August 2018 - no late submissions will be accepted

Complete your submission form online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/representation-review or return this completed form to Council offices in Westport or Reefton; | Email: [email protected] | Fax: [03] 788-8041 | Post: Buller District Council, PO Box 21, Westport 7866 | www.bullerdc.govt.nz/representation-review