Proposals for, and powers of Auckland's Local Boards still too vague, uncertain

Key aspects of how Auckland’s new Local Boards will interact with the Auckland Council are still too vague and uncertain, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

The Auckland Transition Authority (ATA) presented a discussion document on the Local Boards’ roles and powers today to the Local Government and Environment Select Committee sitting in Auckland.

“The ATA officials have a lot more work to do yet in deciding how the Local Boards and the Auckland Council will interact,” said EMA’s chief executive Alasdair Thompson.

“The requirement for the Auckland Council and its Council Controlled Organisations (CCO’s) to consult with the Local Boards is clear in principle, but the detail on how this should happen in practice is still unclear.

“There are many examples of what should take place but not nearly enough examples of what will actually happen.

“The ATA has been too cautious. It needs to identify the potential gaps in the legislation and recommend solutions.

“For example, a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) with a billion dollar budget may not take a requirement to consult with a Local Board very seriously unless the Board has legislated power. The ATA officials agreed the law for this needs strengthening.

“If ATA expertise is unable to advise the Select Committee how the relationship between the Local Boards and the Auckland Council will work there’s little chance for the rest of us to get to grips with it.

“Part of the answer is to make sure the Local Boards are given in law a defined number of minimum powers and we support this.”