Council announce governance changes
A change in Deputy Chaiman and reassignment of Committee membership are two of the main changes to its governance structure announced by the Northland Regional Council today.
Council Chairman Mark Farnsworth says the changes adopted are part of a major Council review of the way it operates.
Mr Farnsworth says that the Chief Executive, Ken Paterson, is in the process of implementing an internal reorganisation in the way Council operates, so the Council took the opportunity to restructure the governance arrangements to align it with the management changes.
Cr Peter Jensen steps away from the Deputy Chairman role he has held for four terms, with Cr Ian Walker taking up the position. Cr John Bain becomes the new Chairman of the Regional Land Transport Committee. Cr Joe Carr becomes Chair of a new Catchment Management Sub-Committee.
Mr Farnsworth says the Council is fortunate in that it has Councillors with a high level of skill over diverse areas.
“I wanted to better utilise Councillors strengths and their particular areas of expertise in the new management environment.”
He says doing these changes will improve efficiencies and enable us to work together with our Northland District Councils to make decisions for the benefit of the whole region.
The revised Committee representation structure is as follows:
Audit and Finance Committee:
Cr Peter Jensen (Chair), Cr John Bain (Deputy Chair), Cr Craig Brown, Cr Bill Rossiter, Cr Ian Walker
Environmental Management Committee:
Cr Craig Brown (Chair), Cr Joe Carr (Deputy Chair), Cr John Bain, Cr Lorraine Hill, Cr Peter Jensen, Cr Bill Rossiter
Catchment Management Sub-Committee:
Cr Joe Carr (Chair), Cr Craig Brown
Hearing Committee:
Cr Lorraine Hill (Chair), Cr John Bain, Cr Craig Brown, Cr Joe Carr, Cr Mark Farnsworth, Cr Peter Jensen, Cr Ian Walker
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Regional Transport Committee:
Cr John Bain (Chair), Cr Joe Carr (Deputy Chair)
The Council governance changes also include the appointment of Councillors to specific portfolios and spokesperson roles on behalf of the Regional Council. These appointments are:
Cr Craig Brown: Environment, Regional Water and Soil Plan, Climate Change, GE, Northland Conservation Board
Cr Joe Carr: Catchment Issues (including both river management and flood control)
Cr John Bain: Regional Transport Issues
Cr Lorraine Hill: RMA Planning Issues, Regional Policy Statement, Regional Coastal Plan, Iwi Issues, Northland Tourism Development Group
Cr Peter Jensen: Audit and Finance, Aquaculture, Hatea River
Cr Bill Rossiter: Emergency Management, Environmental Education, Local Government New Zealand, Regional Air Quality Plan, Northland Chamber of Commerce
Cr Ian Walker: Deputy Chair, Strategic Issues
Cr Mark Farnsworth: Chairperson, Council Spokesperson, Northland Regional Animal Health Committee
Mr Farnsworth acknowledges the exceptional service Cr Jensen has provided to the region in the role of Deputy Chairman and Cr Rossiter’s outgoing role as the Regional Land Transport Committee’s Chair.
“Both Peter Jensen and Bill Rossiter have worked hard and diligently in addressing issues facing our region and their contribution has given us a clear direction for the benefit of all of Northland.”
He says reorganisation of both the Council internally, the governance structures and key organisations such as Enterprise Northland will enable the Council to deliver the best possible service to the region as a whole and achieve Northland’s true potential.
The governance changes take effect from today – Wednesday 18 June 2008.