Lack of trust suggested
Canterbury United Council members yesterday questioned the wisdom of setting up a separate regional development council in the region. In the new Budget, the Government announced that it had decided to fund the establishment of up to 11 new regional development councils in areas which did not have them.
However, that administrative funding would not extend to financial assistance for development projects in regions that were considered to be higher growth areas. Canterbury is one of those areas.
Regional development council members would be appointed by the Minister of Regional Development, Mr Birch.
Most Canterbury United councillors had wanted any
new development council functions added to the activities of existing regional bodies. Cr D. B. Rich, the regional planning committee chairman, said yesterday that the only saving grace in the announcement was that regions could decide whether they wanted new councils.
“The last thing we want to see is a politicallypatronised body set up apart from this body,” he said.
Cr Geoff Stone said the appointment of a new regional body with its own councillors would only cause confusion for the public.
“Why create another quango?” he said. The Government should have faith in existing regional structures set up under its own
legislation. “It seems to imply some lack of confidence,” said Sir Hamish Hay. “They must be looking at how we’re performing and saying ‘They’re not really doing much of a job, are they?’ and they might be right, too.” Cr T. M. Inch said the United Council was already preparing a report, “Which Way Canterbury?” designed to promote public discussion on regional development.
United councils were being urged to encourage regional investment, he said. “You would have two organisations trying to achieve the same thing. I agree it would only lead to more confusion.”
Regional organisations in Canterbury will meet next week, and one discussion topic will be the development council option.
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Press, 4 August 1983, Page 9
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318Lack of trust suggested Press, 4 August 1983, Page 9
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