Agreement On Merger Of Selwyn County

Press, Volume C, Issue 29623, 20 September 1961, Page 10

Agreement On Merger Of Selwyn County

During the last few months and after submissions from the Selwyn County Council, discussions have been held between the councils of Ellesmere, Malvern and Selwyn with a view to the merging of Selwyn county. Inspired initally to promote greater co-ordination and stronger local government for the population involved, the proposals have now been approved in principle by the county councils of Ellesmere, Malvern, and Selwyn. Additionally involved in the proposals for reorganisation is a satellite scheme between Ashburton and Selwyn counties involving a property of 21,990 acres at present within the Selwyn county. Agreement has been received from Ashburton county and the occupier of the property for its inclusion within the Ashburton county. Subnjissions have been sent to the Local Government Commission requesting the commission to investigate the proposals as" a preliminary to preparation of a reorganisation scheme. The suggested date of merger is April 1, 1962. 50 Years Old

In 1911 the original and greater Selwyn County, formed from the land between the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers in\ the Canterbury district but excluding the city and boroughs was severed into nine new counties. The incentive for this subdivision was to obtain a maximum of subsidy promoted by legislation at that time. The pattern has changed

and it is becoming increasingly evident that to obtain maximum efficiency there must be unification and joint ing of smaller or weaker local authorities. “The present proposal of amalgamation lends itself to a more effective unit emerging—with higher property valuations, there should be a greater interest shown toward council representation, always a healthy sign for the advancement of local government, but unfortunately not apparent within tMs Dominion at present,’’ says a statement from the Selwyn council.' “with its increased resources, the council would be able to select and appoint capable and qualified executive staff competent to deal with all requirements.

“Administration charges would obviously be much lower when the overall duplication .is considered.” Detailed Scheme

Detailed proposals are:— That the Rakaia ridirfg be merged into Ellesmere county. The main advantages linked with this are said to be effective control by one local authority of the town planning and civil defence requirements of Dunsandelj<f township; that the riding as a whole does not tend to associate itself with Selwyn county as its residents conduct their business more centrally or toward the city; and that the water supply system will be simplified.

The balance of the county, comprising the Hororata and Lake Coleridge ridings would be merged into a greater Malvern county having a new rateable capital value of £8,307,880 and giving an increased area of 532,234 acres to the united oounty which would be known as Malvern.

Representation to the united county would be on the basis of riding valuations. Initially, until a measure of equalisation had been arrived at, the new county would operate two riding accounts.

Kates would thus be levied within each riding, so that each riding bore its own expenditure and its share of general account expenditure oiherwise known as administrative expenses of the whole county. This procedure would take care of any inequalities of reading mileage and reading conditions within either riding. ' Barfield Centre T}ie centre of community of interest would be Barfield and for that reason it was chosen as the administrative centre and plant depot. 'Duplication of purchases of certain items of plant at present necessary to both councils but only in each individual case operated for non-maximum periods. could be avoided.. Capable and efficient items could be purchased by a united county where it would not be wise financial policy at present.

Credit balances within the! general account and plant renewal account of the Selwyn county would be apportioned to the counties of Malvern and Ellesmere.

Maintenance ansj construction of 16 milgs of provincial state highway 72 running from Glentunnel to the Rakaia gorge is delegated to Selwyn county. (Being a State highway there is no expenditure of county funds —the National Roads Board authorises work to be carried out and upon completion. all such expenditure is claimable in full.)

"With an envisaged programme of £190,000 on this road within the next 10 years a considerable benefit can be obtained in the purchase and operation of plant to the united county whether operating riding accounts or not.” the statement says. “At present, the three counties of Malvern. Ellesmere and Selwyn because of limited resources have to

utilise several joint arrangements with each other and although they operate fairly well they do not allow direct control. Arising from that

there is a complexity of joint meetings held—time consuming to the ratepayers’

representatives and with an incidence of increased overhead cost to each authority.”