Assessing the advantages and disadvantages Moving to a single Hawke’s Bay council with a governing body and five local boards is a significant change. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this proposal for the people of Hawke’s Bay Region, and the neighbouring Rangitikei and Taupo Districts. The impact of the change is discussed throughout this document, and summarised here. In this section, we set out a balanced assessment of the advantages and disadvantages, as we are required to do under the Local Government Act. The following tables set out the advantages and disadvantages. A single Hawke’s Bay council ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Recognises and reflects the common Reduces the number of councillors across interests across Hawke’s Bay Region. the region from 49 to 18. Provides greater scale and capacity to Will result in a period of uncertainty while achieve desired outcomes for the people the new council becomes established. of Hawke’s Bay. Has the potential to impact on council Brings together both regional council and staff employment. territorial authority responsibilities for Creates a risk of losing key council better coordinated economic, social and personnel and institutional knowledge. environmental decision making for the region. Gives Hawke’s Bay one voice when promoting the region’s interests with central government and other parties. Five local boards ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Represent the five distinct and different Local board members will be seen as
Assessing the advantages and disadvantages Moving to a single Hawke’s Bay council with a governing body and five local boards is a significant change. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this proposal for the people of Hawke’s Bay Region, and the neighbouring Rangitikei and Taupo Districts. The impact of the change is discussed throughout this document, and summarised here. In this section, we set out a balanced assessment of the advantages and disadvantages, as we are required to do under the Local Government Act. The following tables set out the advantages and disadvantages. A single Hawke’s Bay council ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Recognises and reflects the common interests across Hawke’s Bay Region. Provides greater scale and capacity to achieve desired outcomes for the people of Hawke’s Bay. Brings together both regional council and territorial authority responsibilities for better coordinated economic, social and environmental decision making for the region. Gives Hawke’s Bay one voice when promoting the region’s interests with central government and other parties. Reduces the number of councillors across the region from 49 to 18. Will result in a period of uncertainty while the new council becomes established. Has the potential to impact on council staff employment. Creates a risk of losing key council personnel and institutional knowledge. Five local boards ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Represent the five distinct and different Local board members will be seen as
Hawkes-Bay-Proposal-June-2015.docx