PROPOSED CHANGES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Concerned Ratepayers Kapiti

That CRK:

Supports the principle of amalgamation for the Kapiti district if it benefits the Kapiti community and achieves CRK’s primary objectives of keeping rates and rates increases under control, reducing wasteful and excessive discretionary spending and improving financial management. There would need to be a net financial benefit over the medium term for Kapiti ratepayers and residents, and continued effective local representation and control.

Supports the integration of regional council functions in district council functions, since the Greater Wellington Regional Council does not provide effective representation and services in the Kapiti community for the costs it imposes on ratepayers and residents. A change is required. CRK therefore supports amalgamation based on sensible boundaries, with careful consideration of water catchment areas and functions. But it cannot be any form of amalgamation for amalgamation’s sake, nor one that is voted by other Councils to include Kapiti and then imposed on the Kapiti community.

If the conditions in (2) above cannot be satisfied, CRK supports the establishment of a single Kapiti unitary authority based around natural water catchment areas (which may require slight boundary changes to the Kapiti district).

Does not support a forced amalgamation with the greater Wellington or Wairarapa region. Any amalgamation option chosen must retain continued effective local representation and control. Kapiti residents have no interest in cross-subsidising the expensive investment mistakes of Wellington City and its chronic underinvestment in core infrastructure. Such a forced amalgamation would also not meet the need for sensible consideration of the natural water catchment area criterion in (2) above. CRK does not support an approach which would result in what should be local decisions being made in a Wellington-based Council, dominated by Wellington-based interests.

Believes and amalgamation should ensure that principles of prudence and reasonableness prevail in regard to transition costs imposed on ratepayers. Transition should not cost tens, or hundreds, of millions of dollars. Prudent financial management of the transition should not provide an opportunity to engage a range of “change consultants” and enrich their bottom line at ratepayers’ expense.

Believes that any final amalgamation proposal should be subject to approval by Kapiti residents in a referendum, supported by full information provided to residents on long term costs, benefits, transition costs, impact on rates levels, and proposed governance arrangements, particularly how Kapiti’s voice will be heard in future decision-making.

LABOUR REFUSES TO RULE OUT FORCING KAPITI INTO AN AMALGAMATION WITH WELLINGTON – read all about it HERE

Read our response to the Mayor’s recent opinion piece on rates capping – When Councils Cry Foul: What’s Really Driving Rates in Kāpiti?