West Coast Head Start Proposal to be submitted to Government
The West Coast Head Start Outline Proposal will be submitted to the Government's Head Start local government reform programme following decisions by the Buller, Grey and Westland District Councils today.
Grey and Westland District Councils both unanimously endorsed the proposal. Buller District Council was split on the proposal, with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor voting in favour of submission. As the motion did not achieve majority support, the proposal was not approved by Buller District Council. The proposal nevertheless remains eligible for submission under the Government's Head Start criteria, which require support from a majority of the directly affected territorial authorities.
The decision follows several months of work involving the three district councils, the West Coast Regional Council, Poutini Ngāi Tahu and the Mayors, Chairs and Iwi Forum, along with community conversations held across the West Coast.
The Outline Proposal asks Government to support a detailed design phase where a proposed single West Coast unitary authority can be independently assessed. This phase would test whether the model is financially viable, operationally achievable and capable of delivering better outcomes for West Coast communities. It does not represent a decision to establish a new council.
West Coast Local Government Reform Project Lead Ashley Stuart said today's decisions marked an important step in the Head Start process.
"Today's decisions mean the West Coast Outline Proposal will now be submitted to Government for consideration under the Head Start programme. While the councils reached different decisions, the proposal meets the Government's eligibility requirements and can now progress to assessment. This is not a decision to establish a new council. It is a request for Government to support the independent work needed to determine whether a single unitary authority could deliver better long-term outcomes for the West Coast.”
The Mayors of Grey and Westland said submitting the Outline Proposal gives the West Coast the opportunity to test whether a single unitary authority could deliver better long-term outcomes for their communities.
Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson, said: “We will await the Government's feedback to decide next steps. If accepted there will be further work analysis and decisions to be made going forward."
Westland District Mayor Helen Lash, said: "Today's submission marks an important milestone for the West Coast. It ensures we have the opportunity to undertake the detailed analysis needed to understand whether there is a better way to deliver local government for our communities. Whatever the outcome, future decisions should be informed by independent evidence, meaningful community input and a clear understanding of the long-term benefits and challenges."
If accepted by Government, the West Coast will move into a detailed design phase expected to begin later this year. The work will include independent financial modelling, governance and representation, organisational design, service delivery, financial sustainability, partnership arrangements and long-term funding options for the region.
Any proposed model will be released for further community consultation before councils make any decisions on the future structure of local government on the West Coast. Progressing to the detailed design phase does not constitute a decision to establish a new authority; it is about ensuring any future decisions are supported by robust evidence and informed by further community input.
Ms Stuart said the submission of the Outline Proposal reflected the region's commitment to making future decisions based on evidence and informed community discussion.
"If the Outline Proposal is accepted by Government, there will be further opportunities for West Coast communities to have their say as the detailed design work progresses.
We've heard throughout this process that people want decisions based on evidence, not assumptions. That's exactly what this next stage is about. It gives the West Coast the opportunity to independently test whether a single unitary authority could deliver better long-term outcomes for our communities before any future decisions are made.”
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Ashley Stuart, Project Lead
ashley.stuart@westcoast.govt.nz
Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.