Giving New Zealanders Confidence In Their Local Council

Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today released the formal Briefing to the Incoming Minister (BIM) prepared by Local Government New Zealand.

"As Local Government Minister, I have primary responsibility for local government and for its overall effectiveness - the Minister is not responsible for specific decisions or actions of local Councils," Mr Hide said.

"As well as the formal legal role, I will have a leadership role - and that's the key role as I see it. I want the 85 local authorities to account for their spending and effectiveness in a way which gets the full confidence of their citizens.

"The briefing shows that the decade from 1998-2007 saw a constant trend of rates and expenses rising faster than general inflation. After adjusting for inflation, rates rose by 41.6 percent.

"I want a New Zealand where ordinary ratepayers can say 'my Council does a good job, and spends my money wisely'. That's the goal I will urge Councils to work towards - and I urge all citizens to take a keen interest in the progress they are making," Mr Hide said.

http://beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Local_Government_BIM.pdf