The Governance and Strategy Activity is the activity that has the overall responsibility for the operation of the democratic aspects of the district and helping guide its strategic direction. It also includes the Economic Development and Māori Engagement Activities of Council. The elected members of the community, combined with the technical expertise of staff, provide the direction and objectives for Council’s activities in the district.

Governance is not only a legal requirement, but a commitment to delivering value for money and prudent management that contributes to all community outcomes.

Governance

The Governance activity includes the democratic arm of the Council as the elected body, together with the 3 Community Boards. It also includes their support functions. It provides the primary legal and other support functions to the Mayor and Elected Members together with the General Management Team.

Governance contributes by

• Support provision of compliant local governance
• Administer community funding programmes. Communicate Council decisions

– development so far – 

Local Government Reorganisation

What we said  we would do in 2013/14

Progressing an application for Unitary Authority status.

What we did in 2013/14

The Local Government Commission has completed public hearings into the proposed reform of Council structures and now analysing the information before deciding its next steps.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

The Commission will now be giving careful thought to ideas and questions raised during the submission process. The process are guided by a number of requirements in law and the amendments to the Local Government Act, currently before the House.

– what we have achieved in 2013/14 –  

• Conducting the 2013 local body election and inaugurating the new Council and Community Boards.

– where are we now? – 

• New amendments to the Local Government Act (2002) will require implementation through the LTP 2015/25.

- key priorities planned for 2014/15 –

Transport Strategy and Advocacy Plan

• Council, through the leadership of Mayor John Carter and Councillors, is intent on developing positive relationships with communities, non-governmental organisations, Māori and other local authorities. Council is especially committed to creating an organisation that is more customer-centred – “going the extra mile” and “listening to our community”. As part of this commitment, the organisation will complete a restructure to refocus the organisation and change internal service structure to meet the needs of the community. The organisation needs to have a greater strategic approach to managing the Council and its activities, improve community engagement, have a higher performing organisation to deliver quality services and greater collaboration and consultation with Iwi / Māori and other organisations.
• Council will continue its drive to see more focused community engagement and community based decisions by empowering Community Boards with fuller involvement in Council decisions and more consultation with communities before decisions are made.
• Council will focus on the development of the Strategic Planning and Visioning Frameworks and Performance Measurement Frameworks to set platforms for the LTP 2015/25, and will continue with improving its provision of effective services to the community. Planning will be influenced by the final outcome of the Local Government Commission’s draft proposal for the reorganisation in Northland.

¹ Please refer to the Governance section of the Long-Term Plan (LTP) 2012/13 and the Annual Plans 2013/14 and 2014/15 for further information on priorities