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Mayor encourages residents to put in submissions by Friday

Manukau City Council

Wednesday 24 June 2009, 10:34AM

By Manukau City Council

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AUCKLAND

This Friday (26 June) is the deadline for making submissions to the select committee on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill.

Mayor of Manukau, Len Brown, is encouraging anyone with a view on the government’s proposal for Auckland, as outlined in the Bill, to get their submission in on time.

“The government has delivered its proposed model for the new unitary Auckland Council including one council, one rating bill, one district plan and one mayor,” says Mr Brown.

“While Manukau City Council accepts the creation of a unitary council, our preference is for strong representation at local board level. We are very keen to see these boards empowered and the number restricted to between 12 and 17. Our submission addresses the roles and functions of local boards and the support they will get from the Auckland Council.”

Mr Brown says Manukau City Council also has a very strong view that councillors should be elected to the new Auckland Council on a ward basis and that there should be direct Maori representation.

“This is the last chance our communities will have to make their voices heard on this bill,” says Mr Brown.

“We understand that the select committee has now agreed to also consider which voting system, First Past the Post or Single Transferrable Vote, should be used for the Auckland Council.

“Anyone with any view on the contents of the bill should ensure they submissions meet the government’s deadline.”

Submissions can be emailed to AGL@parliament.govt.nz or send two copies of written submission to: Freepost, Auckland Governance Legislation Committee, Select Committee Office, Parliament, Wellington.