Policy Area: Local Government

Statement of General Direction:

To maintain the local government framework and operate according to the principles of democracy, accountability and economy.

Key Initiatives of Policy:

Undertake regular audits of economy, efficiency and effectiveness of local government units.

This will include - inter alia:

• Numbers of elected politicians
• Charging systems and levels
• The separation of regulatory and service provision functions
• Competitive tendering and contracting of appropriate services
• Use of Resource Management Act legislation - note this implementation of recommendations may require the Ministry for the Environment to develop and impose guidelines
• The role and relevance of regional government units.

Agree to study the following issues to ascertain whether better options are available than present practices:

• Dog control
• Noise control.

Implications of Court decisions on GST on local body rates.

Fiscal Implications of this Policy Agreement:

Possible future implications on questions of GST on rates.

(All funding proposals subject to being considered within the agreed spending policy parameters.)

Legislative Implications of this Policy Agreement:

The Resource Management Act may need to be amended if the role of the Ministry for the Environment is altered.