Our Council
A note from North Shore City Council Chief Executive John Brockies

On 10 December the third Auckland governance bill was tabled in Parliament. This very significant piece of legislation is 184 pages long. Issues covered include:

The transfer of assets to the new council and associated entities The transfer of staff Preparation for elections Transition arrangements for planning, rating etc The relationship between council and local boards Arrangements for management of transport, water and wastewater Provision for the development of a spatial plan for Auckland  Provisions for Maori Provisions for Pacific and ethnic advisory panels Governance of Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs)

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide has told us that there will be a period for public submissions and Select Committee hearings for this bill.  The consultation process is likely to be announced before Christmas.  If so, we will put the information on the council website.

The Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill
The Bill makes many references to previous Auckland legislation and to the Local Government Act. These can all be accessed via the council website.

As background to the bill, you may want to read recent Cabinet documents and decisions. A summary from Minister Rodney Hide can be read here, and the full documents are available on the Department of Internal Affairs website. These papers help explain the thinking behind the establishment of the new governance structure.

Last but not least - along with our councillors, community board members and staff, I wish you all the best for the holiday season. Our next edition of this newsletter will be distributed in the week of 20 January 2010.

John Brockies
Chief Executive

What's Happening
Local Government Commission boundary submission
On 11 December the North Shore City Council made our submission to the Local Government Commission proposal on electoral boundaries for the new Auckland Council. The submission and Mayoral media release are available here.

Gear up for more consultation next year!
We expect that over the next few months the Government will be asking for feedback on the following issues:

• January 2010 - The third Auckland Bill has been tabled in Parliament and there is expected to be a public submission period followed by select committee hearings. The timing of the consultation process is likely to be announced before Christmas. The Bill is expected to be finalised and passed into law by May 2010. More
• Early 2010 - Minister Paula Bennett is expected to release a discussion paper on the Auckland Social Policy Forum. More
• Early 2010 - Minister Rodney Hide has announced that he will release proposed changes to the Local Government Act. This is expected to involve a public submission and Select Committee process.
• Early 2010 - the Auckland Transition Agency has told our council that early in the New Year they intend to publish a discussion document on CCOs (Council Controlled Organisations) for consideration and feedback.
  

Watercare Services Transitional Chief Executive announced
Watercare Services Ltd has announced the appointment of Mr Ian Parton as Transitional Chief Executive. Mr Parton was previously Deputy Chairman of Watercare.

Our Community
Meetings and events
If you have a meeting or event you would like us to put on the council website please email actionline@northshorecity.govt.nz. The council publicises these independent events because of our commitment to public debate and discussion about the transition process.

Do you want a council representative at your meeting?
We have recently had several highly productive meetings about transition issues with groups that have a business or community relationship with the council. Please contact Actionline, phone (09) 486 8600 or email actionline@northshorecity.govt.nz if you wish to have a council representative attend your meeting in the New Year.

Where to find more information
Some useful websites. More
Media links. More