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Resolution
number RD/2023/14
MOVED by Deputy Chairperson L Johnston, seconded by
Member C Smith:
That
the Rodney Local Board:
a) whakarite
/ provide the following feedback
on the draft report released by the Future for Local Government Review Panel
to inform Auckland Council’s submission:
i)
support a focus on
wellbeing, genuine partnership between central and local government, and more
equitable funding, however:
A)
for equity of
funding to be achieved by Auckland Council, the historical inequities amongst
local boards must be addressed including the Rodney Local Board which is
severally disadvantaged by its geographical size (46 per cent of the land
mass of Auckland) and its inequity of historic services and assets
B)
well-being is
difficult to achieve if local residents are stuck in gridlocked traffic and
travelling through unsafe and unmaintained roads
C)
if genuine
partnership is to be achieved between central and local government then central
government’s fast-tracking of housing in Auckland, such as the Special
Housing Areas in Huapai and the Crown Infrastructure Funding partnership
model for Milldale, must include the funding and planning for fast and
frequent public transport networks and roading upgrades to cope with the
significant increase in population
ii)
support that at the
heart of the framework is the notion that local comes first, with local
government showing leadership in shaping the conditions for communities to
thrive, being an important connector, harnessing its role as anchor
institution, and creating space for hapū/iwi to pursue
self-determination, however:
A)
this is often
difficult to achieve in a super city such as Auckland where contracts
for maintenance of community facilities are awarded regionally and health and
safety regulations make it impossible for qualified locals to volunteer
to mow the local park or cut down up a fallen tree
B)
note there is real
sense that localism has been lost from Auckland and this needs to be
addressed
iii)
acknowledge that
many residents feel over-consulted and council is very good at planning, but
delivery of projects can take years, therefore we need to work at
streamlining delivery and take learnings from the January/February 2023
weather events in Auckland, as in Mill Flat Road in Coatesville where rapid
decision making, local community involvement, central and local government collaborated,
and the installation of a bailey bridge happened rapidly
iv)
note that for local
communities to thrive this will require funding which is going to be
difficult going forward with the proposed budget cuts for local boards and
regional grants funding and, unless the funding model of Auckland Council is
changed, this will be increasingly difficult in the future years
v)
agree with concerns
that growing community expectations, unfunded mandates being passed down from
central government, along with meeting the impacts of growth, tourism, climate
change and significant infrastructure failures, have placed huge rate
pressures on councils
vi)
to achieve the best
candidates for local government and in particular local boards, these roles
should be funded as full-time roles which reflects the current workload and
will enable a more diverse range of qualified people that will consider
standing for election
vii)
support that local
government has an essential role to play in supporting local climate mitigation,
resilience and adaptation efforts, noting this requires funding from central government
viii)
recommend
de-centralization of civil defence, with increased input from local
communities, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas
ix)
central government
need to work with councils in order to identify areas of future growth and
support investment in infrastructure ahead of when it is needed to ensure the
well-being of current and future residents
x)
central government
support local government to fund local communities to look after themselves
and each other.
CARRIED
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