Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

We have now seen the shape of the first wave of the reform of local government. The four community well-beings – environmental, economic, social and cultural – are no longer to be key drivers for local government.

They will be replaced by the responsibility to provide 'good quality local infrastructure, public services and regulatory functions at the least possible cost to households and business”. This is fine as far as it goes. I absolutely support provision of the various functions of local government to a good quality standard at the least possible cost so that our community receives real value for money.

However, I have concerns about removal of safeguarding our environment and supporting our economy as key drivers to be considered by local government when planning its activities. This is because these are vital platforms for the future of our country and the prosperity of our communities. The removal of economic and environmental drivers just doesn't seem to fit with the rhetoric and policy coming from central government unless there is an intention to centralise this at central government level. Or unless there is more explanation or change to come which will address these key areas.

Also among the eight main initiatives announced by Minister Smith is establishment of a local government efficiency taskforce, an investigation into the efficiency of local government infrastructure provision, and a review of the use of development contributions. These are also worth-while initiatives, but government needs particularly to look at the effects of legislation which add cost, bureaucracy and regulatory burden. I have been appalled by the cost of the ten year planning process and its audit and reporting processes – and I am pleased that this is being addressed by the signalled changes. But what about resource consent processes that cost millions and burdensome consultative processes that add time and cost to the development of statutory plans and strategies. And I have real concerns about the potential impacts of treaty settlements on the ability of local government to provide of good quality local infrastructure, public services and regulatory functions at the least possible cost to households and business.

I know that it is early days, but I hope that those driving the change take a holistic approach to planned changes, otherwise in fixing one problem we may end up with many others which could be harder to fix.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please contact me on neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579-5150. Or you can check out my website at www.janenees.co.nz