Joint research project to explore future opportunities
28 December 2013
The mayors of Bay of Plenty district and city councils and the chair of the regional council met in Rotorua this morning where the future direction and form of local government was discussed at length.
The council leaders acknowledged that good results had been achieved to date. However they recognised that debate was taking place about the future of local government across New Zealand and that they need to be proactively involved in that conversation, locally and regionally.
Agreement was reached at the meeting for councils to work together on a research project, with the assistance of independent advice, to understand the opportunities that exist in areas such as improved services, cost efficiencies and economic growth.
They emphasised that retaining local leadership and local community participation were essential principles that need to be retained in the future.
The next step in the project would be to develop a plan, timetable and terms of reference.
Work on the project is to start in the New Year with the aim of having it completed by October 2014.