On 20 August 2024 the Carterton District Council Hearings Committee considered the submissions received on its Initial Proposal regarding the representation arrangements for the Council to apply for the local elections to be held on 11 October 2025.
The Council received six (6) submissions to the Initial Proposal. Three submitters agreed with the proposal, and three submitters objected to various elements of the proposal, as follows:
- Two of the three submitters who objected supported at large council representation, but did not agree with other aspects:
- One suggested that councillors be reduced from eight (8) to six (6)
- One supported the establishment of community boards
- One submitter supported implementation of an Urban Ward.
- One made the additional comment that with community boards not being established council should continue to develop better relationships with relevant groups in order to understand their perspectives.
Final Proposal
Having considered all of the submissions, the Council resolved to adopt its initial proposal without amendment as the Council’s final proposal.
The Council rejected the matters raised in objections for the following reasons:
- The existing number of councillors is appropriate to ensure effective representation, taking into account the size of the district, the range of interests represented and the work load of elected members.
- There are no savings from reducing the number of councillors to six (6) as the remuneration pool must be used in full, regardless of the number of councillors.
- The at large basis of election is well established and familiar to residents, and provides effective representation for interests which are dispersed across the district, including rural and lifestyle communities.
- Preliminary consultation indicated clear support for retaining the existing arrangements incuding at large elections and no community boards.
Council representation
It is proposed that:
- The Carterton District Council comprises the Mayor and eight (8) Councillors, all elected at large.
- No community boards are established.
Appeals
Any person who made a submission on the Council’s initial proposal may lodge an appeal against the Council’s decision. An appeal must relate to the matters raised in that person’s submission. Appeals must be made in writing and must be received by Council no later than 25 October 2024.
Appeals are to be forwarded to:
Corporate Services Manager, 28 Holloway St, Carterton 5713, PO Box 9, Carterton, 5743
Email: demservices@cdc.govt.nz
Phone: 06 379 4030
Further information
Direct any queries regarding the Council’s decision to Karon Ashforth (contact details above).