Survey to gauge views on Local Government reform
Four hundred Hutt residents are to be surveyed this month on their views about local government reform in the region. The survey is a joint effort by councils to find out people’s views on what, if any, changes should be made to local government structures.
Independent research company Colmar Brunton will carry out the telephone survey.
At present there are nine local, district or regional councils in the area to be surveyed – Wellington, Porirua, Hutt City, Upper Hutt, Kapiti Coast, South Wairarapa, Carterton, Masterton and Greater Wellington.The survey will gauge the public response to four options as given below:
Option 1 - No change
Under this option, existing boundaries would remain, but with formal arrangements to share services and collaborate wherever possible. Examples of this might be “back office” functions such as information technology and human resources, management of water and waste, and running parks and recreation facilities.
Option 2 - Three councils
A merger of the eight local and district councils into three and the abolition of Greater Wellington Regional Council, absorbing its functions among the three, which would be formed by:
- Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti Coast;
- Hutt City and Upper Hutt; and
- South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton.
Option 3 - Two councils
A merger of the eight local and district councils into two, again with the abolition of Greater Wellington Regional Council and the distribution of its services. The two new councils would be formed by:
- Wellington, Porirua, Kapiti Coast, Hutt City and Upper Hutt; and
- South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton.
Option 4 - One council
A merger of all councils into a single regional council, with 10 local boards elected to look after local services and the new council setting and gathering rates and making all decisions affecting the entire region. The results of the survey will help form a preferred option that Hutt City Council will consult the public on later this year.