Len Brown on local boards

Len Brown says we will retain local identity in the local boards

July 2010

One of the biggest issues I hear from people around the region is whether their local community will retain its local identity in the supercity. People are worried all the money and power will shift to another part of town. We cannot let that happen and if I am elected mayor it won’t.
I have committed to rotating the Council meeting around each of the current council areas. It is important to me that the new Auckland Council stays in touch with local communities around the region.
Unfortunately many Aucklanders are still in the dark about what their local boards will be involved in. I have released this policy to give assurance that under my leadership, local boards will retain the grunt they need to deliver for their communities.
Local boards should be involved in planning and policy related to their communities. They should develop long term community plans and annual plans, as well as contributing to regional policy-making and giving effect to regional plans. They should then develop local policy within the regional framework in areas like, for example, dog control, gambling and gaming machines, licensing of cafes, bars and liquor outlets, brothels, and the development of town centres.
Local boards should be responsible for local decisions on local roads, footpaths, pedestrian zones and bus stops, speed limits for local roads, public transport, crime prevention (where CCTV cameras should be sited, for example), community engagement, beautification schemes, building consents, local economic development, animal control, environmental protection, local parks, recreation and sports facilities, libraries and pools, community houses and advisory services, town centre promotion, galleries and museums, beaches, camping grounds, liquor licensing, and more. I also want local boards to be involved in resource management hearings for their areas.
I will ensure Local boards have adequate support to get on with their business. I don’t want them to waste time arguing with the Council over budgets and plans. I will be sending a very clear message to the CEO and management of the Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and the other CCOs, and councillors that local boards are the heart of democracy in Auckland and should not be fighting for scraps from the Council’s table.
The first Auckland Council will set the values and direction of our region for many years to come. We’ve got to get it right. I want to make sure that local communities are valued and protected in the new structure.