Key issues on special council meeting agenda
25 August 2015
Three key issues are up for discussion tomorrow (Wednesday 26 August 205) at a special Rotorua Lakes Council meeting. The meeting, in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre, starts at 9.30am and is open to the public.
1. ONLINE VOTING TRIAL FOR 2016 local GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS:
First on the council meeting agenda is a report on a government proposal for a limited number of councils to trial online voting for the next local government elections in 2016.
The report recommends to the mayor and councillors that Rotorua Lakes Council signals its willingness to be part of the trial in 2016, in tandem with the regular postal voting process.
The council's share of the total $100,000 cost of the online voting trial would be approximately $45,000. Subject to agreement by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Lakes District Health Board, the balance would be shared proportionately between the two organisations, both of whom hold their elections in tandem with that of Rotorua Lakes Council.
Among the reasons put forward for participating in the trial are:
- The council's increasing use of technology to engage with the community;
- Easier access to voting by rural communities;
- Easier access to voting by substantial number of non-resident ratepayers living in other parts of New Zealand and overseas;
- The appeal of online voting to the younger community;
- A potential decrease in informal votes cast; and
- The potential to increase voter turnout.
2. YOUR CHOICE - 2016 ELECTIONS REVIEW:
Next on the agenda is a report with recommendations from the council's Your Choice' working party that has been undertaking a programme of community consultation as part of a review of arrangements for the next local government elections in 2016.
The working party, comprising three councillors and three community representatives, is recommending two fundamental changes to the council structure from the elections in late 2016.
One recommendation is for a second community board to be established, in addition to the current single board for residents of Lakes communities. The new community board would provide a voice for issues related specifically to the rural community.
The other recommendation is that the number of councillors to be elected by the community at large, be reduced from the current 12, to 10.
Once the council has considered the report, it is expected that a further formal community consultation programme would take place, probably between 1 September and 2 October.
3. RMA ARRANGEMENTS TO SUPPORT TE ARAWA INVOLVEMENT:
The final agenda item for tomorrow's council meeting is a proposal for a new approach to the operational management of the Resource Management Act (RMA), to support good decision-making and to separate the council's roles in district-wide strategic land-use planning and policy.
A report recommends that the council:
- Establish a new RMA Policy Committee to carry out council functions (under the First Schedule of the RMA) relating to district plan reviews, variations and plan changes. The committee would comprise two elected councillors and an independent commissioner recommended by the proposed Te Arawa board, and approved by the council; and
- Establish a panel of up to 10 council-approved independent hearings commissioners to determine matters relating to resource consents and notices of requirements. The Te Arawa board would have input into the selection process for commissioners.
If the proposals are accepted by the mayor and councillors the existing Statutory Hearings Committee would be disestablished in due course.
To view the council meeting agenda for Wednesday's (9.30am, 26 August 2015) Extraordinary Council Meeting click this link