Administration study

Press, 25 June 1981, Page 4

Administration study

Ways to strengthen local body administration, not necessarily through mergers, 1 will be studied by a Canterbury United Council working party.

If the council did not do something soon about local' government reform, it “can be seen to be dodging issues Of vital importance,” said Cr T. M. Inch. The United Council “should grasp the nettle and face up to what has to be done.”

That might result in a visit to the region by the Local Government Commission, but only after the United Council had requested it. Cr Inch said the working party should investigate incentives that might persuade local bodies to come together, at least in some administrative areas.

The United Council chairman (Cr C. N. Mackenzie) said that smaller local bodies might band together to hire

qualified engineering and planning staff.

Many people in the past had favoured amalgamation or stronger local units, but “there has been a total lack of demand for this from •ratepayers,” Mr Mackenzie said. “In fact, in cases the .reverse . has happened, and people in some areas would prefer to pay more to retain their own identity.”

It was also “extremely difficult” to explain the- advantages of stronger units to ratepayers, he said. Mr Hamish Hay agreed that there had been ratepayer apathy toward amalgamation .proposals, “but ma.ybe that’ reflects an attitude of continuing despair by ratepayers /because nothing happens. ’Maybe they Would like to see a stronger line taken.”

Unless the “real issue of restructuring” was dealt

with, “total apathy will remain,” he added. Cr Mackenzie said, that incentives to former stronger local body units might include setting-up. grants or special loading finance. Cr Dorothy Harris • said there were two areas of concern — the metropolitan area and rural districts containing strong boroughs. “I would hate to see anything forced on us unwillingly,” she said.

Mr D. B. • Rich said a working party should., be formed “before too many councillors , let their wellworn prejudices disqualify themselves, from it.”

Cr Inch'.said the working party should show that councillors were able to “wear oUr regional hat, and not parade oiir parochial bias.” , Members of the working party will be Crs Inch, Rich, Vicki Buck and W. M. Hindmarsh.