Council representation - Friday the 13th.

Barry from Papamoa Beach

The Council's feedback survey on the upcoming Representation Review closes this Friday, the 13th of August. If you want to have a say about the councillor election system and whether or not community boards should be established in Tauranga you can do so by completing the form online or in writing. Google "Tauranga City Have Your Say" for the online form. Copies can also be picked up at your local library or the Council will send you one if you make a request.
The Review will determine how many councillors there should be and how they should be elected. Options 1, 3 and 4 councillors are elected from several wards but electors are only entitled to vote for the councillors from their ward.They may not vote for councillors from other wards. Option 2 provides for 9 councillors to be elected from one city-wide general ward and for electors to be entitled to vote for all 9 councillors. Maori ward electors may only vote for Maori ward councillors.
This is the first time that a Tauranga Council has given residents the opportunity to decide if they want community boards to be established. Community boards give residents a chance to have a say on local matters at a local level. Boards are managed by local people elected for 3 years from the community they represent. A board's forums and meetings are conducted in local venues where residents will feel comfortable having their say. This is real grassroots democracy.
Representation Reviews take place every 6 years.There won't be another opportunity to have your say until 2027. If you haven't already done so, make sure you let the Council know what you think before the survey closes on Friday.