The latest critics of the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill, Manukau City Council says local communities will lose their voices under the Auckland Super City scheme.

The Council joins the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and many other critics of the speed and lack of detail so far provided by the Government to date in the transition process.

In its submission on the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill, the Manakau Council said local community interests should be reflected in the new governance structure and Mayor Len Brown said it was vital for local boards to have meaningful powers, funding and support.  Read more... (162 words, 1 image, estimated 39 secs reading time)

Auckland councils are currently making a last ditch effort to limit the power new unelected agencies will wield in the super city.

The councils are finalizing their submissions to the Auckland governance select committee before Friday’s deadline. Many fear that the elected super city council will lose control of some of the most important aspects of local government.

This is the council’s last chance to persuade MPs before the Super City blue print is locked into law.  Read more... (327 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

Popularity: 3% [?]

NSCC Friday November 6

A recent online survey of over 1,000 North Shore residents has shown that many are concerned about local representation and community identity in the light of the local government reforms in Auckland.

And the survey results left no doubt that the reforms have ignited strong public interest in Auckland’s local government, with 85% of respondents saying they intended to vote in next year’s elections.  This compares with the 35% who voted in 2007.

The Colmar Brunton survey was commissioned by the North Shore City Council to help it prepare a submission to the Local Government Commission, which is currently preparing draft electoral boundaries for the new Auckland Council.  Read more... (474 words, 1 image, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)