Farmers cautiously welcome local government reforms – Ag First
Farmers appear to be cautiously welcoming the Government’s plan to reform local government, according to Ag First chief executive, James Allen.
The objective of simplifying the regulations, consenting process and reducing the bureaucracy and rates will strike a chord with most people. At the same time, there is an understandable cautiousness about giving the Government a blanket endorsement for their plans.
Let’s ignore the RMA at this stage as that change has been well signalled.
The idea of getting rid of regional councillors and giving mayors the task of coming up with a new structure for local government is ‘interesting’ to say the least. Why aren’t the chairs of regional councils included with the mayors to at least provide a regional perspective? Former Federated Farmers Waikato president and Waikato Regional Council member Keith Holmes is right when he says the mayors don’t necessarily have all the knowledge and skills, or the time, to take the step up to sorting our regional governance.
He makes the point that the structure of regional councils is basically fine, but it’s the governance that is flawed. That too many councillors lack the skills to control staff who often run their own agendas but who are also hampered by poor, imprecise lawmaking and tasks imposed on them by central government. The same incidentally also applies in Territorial Local Authorities where the governance is often well below par.
Giving the country’s mayors the task of reforming local government is a ‘courageous’ move by ministers Chris Bishop and Simon Watts. Will the well-meaning mayors have the skills and fortitude to override the guidance of another bunch of Sir Humphries who will no doubt be appointed to ‘help’ them in their deliberations? The reality is that the mantra of bureaucrats, councillors and all politicians is self-preservation. Hiring the writers and producers of ‘Yes, Prime Minister’ to undertake the review should not be discounted as an option.
