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Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today announced that the Department of Internal Affairs has appointed a ten-person working party to look at the feasibility of online voting.

Local councils will be encouraged and assisted to work more efficiently under new legislation that passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Local Government Minister Chris Tremain.

A key part of the new legislation addresses one of the contributing factors to housing affordability.

Local government Minister Chris Tremain today welcomed the release of the Auditor-General’s inquiry into the Mangawhai waste water scheme as a step forward in restoring local democracy in Kaipara.

“The report identifies many failures in the governance and management of the council but does not identify any case of fraud or illegal activity.  I have asked my officials to take a detailed look at the report to identify what further actions (if any) should be taken,” says Mr Tremain.

Local government Minister Chris Tremain today welcomed the release of the Auditor-General’s inquiry into the Mangawhai waste water scheme as a step forward in restoring local democracy in Kaipara.

“The report identifies many failures in the governance and management of the council but does not identify any case of fraud or illegal activity. I have asked my officials to take a detailed look at the report to identify what further actions (if any) should be taken,” says Mr Tremain.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says new financial prudence regulations announced today will tighten financial reporting, lift transparency and encourage excellence in local government. 

“The regulations will provide a standardised way of financial reporting which will encourage council efficiency and improve accountability to ratepayers. We need to learn from issues that have had an impact on ratepayers and residents in Kaipara,” says Mr Tremain. 

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says Crown Manager Doug Martin is steering Christchurch’s building consent processes in the right direction.

“I met with Doug Martin today and have been very impressed with the progress being made.  A programme of work is well underway to ensure the Council can regain accreditation as a Building Consent  Authority,” says Mr Tremain.

The Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill which provides powers for local boards to delegate responsibilities allocated to them has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

Local Government minister Chris Tremain says the Bill puts into statute transitional regulations that were due to expire on 31 October 2013.

“The Bill continues the provisions which give local boards the powers to operate more efficiently and effectively without sacrificing community choice and identity at a local level,” says Mr Tremain.   

Local Government  Minister Chris Tremain says he will be instructing a working party to explore what would be needed for online voting to be fully introduced in the next local  body elections.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today congratulated the successful candidates in the 2013 local authority elections.

“There are lots of changes taking place in local government and it’s an exciting time to be involved in decision making,” says Mr Tremain.

“In councils where Mayors and councillors have been re-elected congratulations. Your community clearly values your leadership and it is a chance to continue with existing plans.

With eight days until postal voting closes Local Government Minister Chris Tremain is urging people to have a say in the future of their communities.

“If you haven’t completed your voting papers, get on to it today. And if your papers haven’t arrived contact the local electoral officer at your local council,” says Mr Tremain.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says if people expect to hold their councils accountable for decision making they need to be part of that process and vote in the upcoming local government elections.

“Local government provides vital services such as water, wastewater, roading and community services. Council decision making has a visible impact on the day to day lives of people and it’s important that we have elected councillors to represent the views of the community,” says Mr Tremain.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today announced that a trial of online voting will take place in the 2016 local authority elections.

“Online transactions are the way of the future and the Government is committed to rolling out digital services for New Zealanders,” says Mr Tremain.

“I have asked the Department of Internal Affairs to put together a working party from across government and local authorities and with information technology experts. They will consider the options, costs and security issues involved in online voting.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today announced changes that will ensure councils undertake longer-term infrastructure planning, while streamlining other planning requirements.

“While many councils are managing their assets well, law changes are needed to ensure that all councils are taking the long term perspective needed,” says Mr Tremain.

“The Government will make it mandatory for local councils to undertake strategic asset management planning. This is fundamental good practice.

The Government has released an initial action plan from Doug Martin, the Crown Manager for Christchurch City Council’s building consenting functions.

“The Crown Manager’s terms of reference tasked him with providing an action plan within one month. The plan we have now received provides a comprehensive set of actions which will address issues ranging from systems and processes, to staff culture,” says Local Government Minister Chris Tremain.

The Government has decided on changes to the Local Government Act to rein in council development contributions to improve housing affordability.

“We are going to narrow the charges councils can put on new sections, provide an independent objections process and encourage direct provision of necessary infrastructure to get costs down,” Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Chris Tremain say.

Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today.

It’s both a privilege and a pleasure to be here with you at my first Local Government New Zealand Conference. I’m here for a full day and a half so I can engage with as many of you as possible and discuss the issues facing Local Government.

When I first took up the Local Government portfolio, I was very clear that the relationship between myself as your Minister and local government needed to be strong if we were to take the country forward together.

The Government today announced the appointment of Douglas Martin as the Crown Manager for Christchurch City Council’s building consenting functions.

“Mr Martin is well qualified to undertake the role of Crown Manager.  He is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and respected advisors on improving the performance of public sector agencies in New Zealand,” says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee. 

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Christchurch City Council can and, must, under section 212 of the Building Act 2004, continue issuing building consents, despite losing its accreditation.

International Accreditation New Zealand revoked the council’s building consent accreditation today following its inability to bring its processes up to the required standard.

The Government has today been informed by the Christchurch City Council that its professional indemnity and public liability insurer Riskpool has withdrawn cover effective 1 July for claims which may arise under the Building Act 2004.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says Riskpool’s move is no surprise.

“Today’s move means that if the council is negligent in performing its functions under the Building Act leading to defects in building work, any liability owed by the council will need to be met from its own funds.

Minister of Local Government Chris Tremain and Minister for Building and Construction Maurice Williamson met with the Christchurch City Council today to discuss the Terms of Reference for the appointment of a Crown Manager to address issues relating to the Council’s building consenting functions.

“I am pleased that the Council unanimously voted today to request that the Government appoint a Crown Manager,” says Mr Tremain.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Government will seek to have an audit of recent building consents issued by Christchurch City Council to ensure they’re up to the required standards.

It follows concerns raised by International Accreditation New Zealand, which will revoke the council’s building consent accreditation next Monday.

IANZ says it has identified issues with technical processing that means building consents might not meet the requirements of the Building Code.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, Local Government Minister Chris Tremain, and Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson, have welcomed the decision by Mayor Bob Parker to seek the appointment of a Crown Manager to address consenting issues.

“I am pleased that Christchurch City Council has recognised the gravity of the situation and that a motion will now be put to the council to invite the Government to appoint Crown Manager,” Mr Brownlee says.

A Bill which increases transparency for local government elections, streamlines pre-election processes and improves the availability of information about candidates has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says the Local Electoral Amendment Bill will introduce more transparency into local authority elections.

Government is giving councils greater delegated powers on how they manage more than 7000 reserves around New Zealand, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Chris Tremain announced today.

“This change is about recognising that local councils and their elected local representatives are better placed to make decisions on local reserves than government departments and ministers. This reform will reduce bureaucracy and give local communities more say and greater flexibility about how reserves are managed,” Dr Smith says.