The Central Otago District Council has taken another step towards having more say in funding and decision-making on more of its activities and services.
Many of the council’s services (82%) are funded at a district level, such as roading, water and waste disposal. But the council is proposing "districtising" the remaining services and activities, which include parks, community facilities, pools and property. These services are now rated at a ward level.
The council, the four community board chairpeople and some board members from the Vincent, Cromwell, Ranfurly and Maniototo wards met on Thursday to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed "districtisation".
"The council is looking at every possible path to address rising costs for local authorities," council chief executive Peter Kelly said in a statement.
"Taking a district-wide view to strategic decision-making on these activities would help prioritise spending across the district, address long-term affordability as well as simplify the council’s rating system to give greater transparency for where our rates are spent."
Some community boards and communities had pushed back on the proposal earlier this year and there was still some way to go before the full districtisation of all services. Members of the Cromwell Community Board said they were blindsided earlier in the year by the proposal and felt like the council was setting itself up to have a "land grab" of the board’s assets.
Mr Kelly said in the statement yesterday the council would be working proactively with community boards through June to hear and understand their views before the council considered a formal paper in July, which would include feedback from community boards.
Community opinion would be sought after this, with public consultation planned for August this year. The decision from this consultation will feed into the development of the council’s 2025-34 long-term plan.
"This is only the start of the conversation, with a key part being the role of the community boards going forward.
"It is important that we ensure local democracy and community voice is strengthened through this process," Mr Kelly said.
