THE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988. Government closer to people

Press, 7 October 1988, Page 8

THE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988. Government closer to people

When he announced the proposals for a new Canterbury local government region this week, the chairman of the Local Government Commission, Mr Brian Elwood, put emphasis on the importance of wards and ward committees. He has also spoken of the importance of enabling all districts to elect directly the mayor, the leader of each district council. This change will give to rural citizens the direct choice that is enjoyed by people in cities and boroughs today. It is one of the new system’s features that all district councils will have the same structure, the same electoral process, the same right to choose leaders, and the same status on the regional and national stages Experience may show that this change is not enough. Distinct communities within districts may feel that they still need a local figurehead, a particular person to speak for them — the equivalent of today’s mayors. This role may be taken sufficiently well by ward representatives, especially if they are also leaders of a community committee. Satisfaction with this approach may vary from place to place. If, say, two ward representatives are of conflicting views, problems will arise in that ward when one person has to be looked to as the senior or representative spokesperson. Underlying these considerations of community leadership is what may prove to be the most significant element in public assessment and acceptance of the whole local government system. This is the role, effectiveness, recognition and power given to the ward committees. They are not the same as community councils; though one kind of

ward committee, recommended for isolated and geographically distinct communities, would be similar to district community councils as they are now known. In urban areas, ward committees are likely to have more of a monitoring role, watching over street works, parks, traffic management and community activities. Both kinds of committee would submit proposals for a council’s budget.

The vital thing is that these committees work well, that they are seen to be an effective part of local government, and that wherever possible they are given powers and money to use for the benefit of their areas. These committees will be the proving grounds for future councillors, the first and closest avenue for the citizen who wants to approach local government; and they may well turn out to be the main bastions against neglect, oversight, and a feeling of remoteness from councils and senior officers in the district headquarters. They will be the safeguard against the concentration of power in a few hands. Therefore, they must be given the recognition and professional assistance to enable them to be strong forces in local government. If this is not achieved, local government will have, in the opinion of many people, simply gone away or slipped out of view. Amid all the interest in boundaries and the sweep of changes that can be made to look good on maps and on the grander scale of thinking about governing structures, Mr Elwood was right to put emphasis on a part of the plan that is close to. people.