Ti Timar aru D District ct C Cou ounci cil
Ove verview • Structure of local government in the Timaru District • Elected positions, roles and responsibilities • Qualities and skills • Remuneration • What to expect if elected
Timaru ru Distri rict Council Structure
What posit ositio ions a s are e el elec ected? • Mayor • Councillors • Timaru Ward Councillors – 6 Councillors • Pleasant Point – Temuka Ward – 2 Councillors • Geraldine Ward – 1 Councillor • Community Boards • Pleasant Point – 5 elected members and 2 appointed (being the Ward Councillors) • Temuka – 5 elected members and 2 appointed (being the Ward Councillors) • Geraldine – 6 elected members and 1 appointed (being the Ward Councillor)
Role ole of of Co Council a il and el elec ected mem embers • Governed by the Local Government Act 2002 • Enabling democratic local decision making by and on behalf of communities • Promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities in the present and for the future.
Responsibiliti ties • Council and Committees • Adopt Long Term Plan, Annual Plan, Annual Report • District strategies, policies and plans, like the District Plan • Must set the rates annually • Make and pass Bylaws • Make local decisions within a legal framework, eg local alcohol policy • Ensure appropriate consultation on matters of significance • Appoint Chief Executive • Community Boards • Decisions on locally funded activities • Input into development of district strategies, policies, plans and bylaws • Representing communities and providing local leadership
How is all th this d delivered – governanc nce • Responsibilities and functions are broken down into a number of activities
Key y do docu cuments s and and controls s • Long Term Plan (LTP) • Annual Plan • Annual Report • District Plan • Bylaws • Strategies, policies, activity management plans • Budgets and performance measures for monitoring • Officer reporting on activities
Council c controlled organisati tions (CCOs) • Separate entities that are controlled by council • Governing body (Council) sets objectives, monitors performance and appoints the board • Annual Statement of Intent to record expectations • CCOs report regularly or as required
The machinery - Council a and Committee m meetings • Currently: • Council meetings held on a 6 weekly cycle on Tuesdays • Start generally 2/3pm and run to 4/5 pm • Standing Committees held on a 6 weekly cycle on Tuesdays • Generally full day • Workshops held when required
Attributes a and qualities o of an El Elected Member • Genuine interest in the community • Interest in learning, • Really committed to what their vision of a great community looks like • Good listener and open to new ideas – diversity of ideas, opinions and interests are vital • Impartiality, openness • Willingness to put in a lot of time outside formal council meetings and ask lots of questions
Ski kills a and Capabiliti ties • You need no special qualifications, the following capabilities will be helpful if you are elected: • Strategic thinking (governance v management) • Leadership • Cultural awareness • Communicating and engaging with people, groups, volunteers and communities • Relationship building and collaboration
Time me Comm mmitme ment • Time commitments • Meetings – council and committee meetings, workshops • Preparation time – reading reports and papers • the position • Responsibilities allocated • size and type of council • Workload of Council (e.g. LTP) • Rough estimates • Mayor – up to 7 days a week • Councillors (average size council) – maybe average 10 - 20 hours per week. • Community board members – maybe average 5 - 10 hours per week.
Remunera ration • Elected members remuneration is set by the Remuneration Authority: • Salaries are determined by a formula based on each councils’ population and expenditure; and • The Remuneration Authority also sets rules regarding travel allowances and legitimate expenses. • How much will an elected member earn in 2019/20? Mayor - $132 500 Councillor - $35,543 plus a total pool of $130,000 to be allocated for Deputy Mayor, Chairs of Committee and Deputy Chairs Community Boards Geraldine Pleasant Point Temuka Chair $11,008 Chair $8,633 Chair $11,224 Member $5,504 Member $5,612 Member $5,612
Pre Pre-El Elec ection on R Repor ort • Provides information to promote public discussion about issues facing the local authority • Report due (2 August 2019), ie two weeks before nomination day • Financial information three years before and three years after election date • Placed on website and available publicly
Candidate Qu Quer eries es P Proc oces ess • Queries from candidates for campaign purposes about the Council can be directed to the Chief Executive unit • Will be treated under the LGOIMA and Privacy Acts • Responses will be available to all candidates when confirmed on the TDC website • Question and answer published under Candidate Information section on www.timaru.govt.nz/elections
Proc oces ess f from om 12 Octob ober er ( (Elec ection on D Day) • Declaration of final results • If elected you will need to make time for: • Workshops prior to first meeting (process, protocols, timetable) • Inaugural meeting (swearing-in, elect chair and deputy chair) – 25 October 2016 • First business meeting • Induction, training and development
Decl clarati tion b by y Mayor, Chairper erson on o or Elected ed M Member er “I, [AB], declare that I will faithfully and impartially, and according to the best of my skill and judgement, execute and perform, in the best interests of [region or district], the powers, authorities, and duties vested in, or imposed upon me as [mayor, chairperson or member] of the [local authority] by virtue of the Local Government Act 2002, the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, or any other Act.”
Opportunities for Elected M Members to Enha hance Knowledg dge and S Skills • Councils run in-house induction courses. • Regional workshops for newly elected members will be run after the election • Professional Development opportunities are ongoing
In Summary • Don’t underestimate… work, time, reading, public profile etc. • Rewarding, but can be challenging • Public service, so rarely off duty • Constituent contact possible at all hours • Impact on time for other paid work, family and personal time • Media profile
Want t to know m w more? • https://www.timaru.govt.nz/council/elections/stand • Email elections@timdc.govt.nz • Contact the Electoral Officer, Mark Low (03) 687 7280 or • Deputy Electoral Officer, Phillipa Tsukigawa(03) 687 7431
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