Official outlines functions of local government bodies

Press, 4 March 1988, Page 9

Official outlines functions of local government bodies

'■ ? f Regional and authorities should be multi-purpose, [ directly elected rind self-funding, said the; Secretary for Local Gjovernment, Mr Peter Boag, yesterday. Mr Boag put [the views of the [lnternal Affairs Department on [local government I reform to delegates at a seminar on local government in Christchurch. [He emphasised i the views were not necessarily those of the Minister of Local Government.;

The regional government working party, which he chaired, had examined the [role of regional government, he said. He i gave delegates a > I H

taste of what would be [in that party’s [ report, parts of which would be released next week.

The party had identified core functions that every regional unit should have. These were planning, including maritime planning, civil defence, catchment ■ board functions, environmental management planning, transport planning co-ordina-tion and regional development. !

He said the department had defined 15 regions within New Zealand.

The working party believed the regional units should be directly elected, although that could be achieved gradually with

an interim mix of elected and appointed members. He said the party believed community coun- [ cils in some areas — j including Christchurch —: could be used to maintaini participation. That would need a change in the present law. • ‘

In some areas there could be a single level of local government with the regional and territorial units combined. •' [

Both local and regional units had the potential to accept greater social responsibility from central Government but the units would have to be reformed to equip them for that role. The Minister of Local

Government, Dr Bassett, had indicated that revenue would accompany the increased functions that might be given to regional government. . i ' F

; Funding for local government still seemed best served by the use of the property tax of rates, Mr Boag said.. That did not necessarily take account of ability to pay but that was balanced to some extent by fees and user charges and uniform general charges. Ideally he would like to see unite of local government free to act as they wanted to within a range of given functions, ; Mr Boag said.