Council continues exploring Head Start options
Taupō District Council has moved its Head Start council meeting back a week to allow further time to pull together the complex financial and non-financial information needed to analyse each option.
The council decided on Tuesday 30 June that it would do a deep dive into four different options for local government reform. A follow up meeting set for Tuesday 21 July to decide on a preferred option has now been moved to 10.15am on Tuesday 28 July. This will allow extra time for work to be completed so that councillors can give the matter the fullest possible consideration.
Central Government announced on 5 May that councils had a three-month deadline to submit a Head Start proposal on how they would amalgamate with other councils in their region to form unitary authorities.
Taupō District Mayor John Funnell says since then, councillors and council staff have been hard at work pulling together information to support a possible proposal.
“We’ve spent a huge amount of time on all the discussions, all the analysis and all the engagement with our communities and iwi partners that need to be undertaken but we do remain concerned about the narrow timeframe,” Mr Funnell says.
“Having to pick up such a massive undertaking at this time has taken us away from work that actually makes our district a better place to live.
“During this process, it’s been a worthwhile exercise to meet with my fellow mayors and elected members from other councils. What is obvious is that all the other councils are having to make the same difficult decisions that we are also faced with.”
Mr Funnell says he and the councillors are grateful for the high level of interest and engagement the community has shown in the local government reforms including the 1113 people who responded to the council’s survey; and the many thoughtful discussions at councillor connect forums and representative group meetings.
“What has come through loud and clear is that people are protective of our district and its identity, our assets and our ability to make decisions for ourselves. We have taken that feedback on board and it will be front of mind as we prepare to make a decision on 28 July.
“The councillors and I are focused on getting the best outcome we can achieve for everyone in this district.”
The council meeting on Tuesday 28 July will be held in the Council Chambers, 67 Horomātangi St, Taupō, at 10.15am. It is open to the public and will also be recorded and livestreamed on council’s YouTube channel.
More information about local government reform and the process so far can be found at taupo.govt.nz/ourfuture.
