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

The shape of the proposed Minister of Local Government's legislative reform proposal ‘Better Local Services Reform' is now clearer.

The intention is to encourage more joint services delivered over a wider area, recognising attempts to get large-scale local government amalgamation in Northland, Wellington and Hawke's Bay failed under the current legislation because communities were concerned about losing local democracy and voice.

A Local Government Amendment Bill is expected to be presented to Parliament in June 2016. It will enable more joint services and infrastructure provision on a wider scale, particularly for transportation and the three waters, largely by multiply-owned Council Controlled Organisations.

It will provide greater ability to transfer functions between councils, accomplish easier boundary changes. And while making it easier for local government to undertake reorganisation processes, it also gives the Local Government Commission more teeth to force change to occur.

The stated aim is to provide more cost-effective services and infrastructure and a more efficient and effective local government reorganisation process.

It appears the Government is getting serious about making structural change happen. However, proponents of change will still have to listen to the will of the people under the proposed legislation, as polls of electors will be a requirement for any Local Government Commission-led amalgamation proposals.