Decision Making Processes

Transcription

1 45 Decision Making Processes What topics are covered in this section? This section on decision making summarises how the Council s decisions are influenced by a number of factors both internally - including internal policies, and externally - including community consultation and working specifically with Maori. Decision making processes On behalf of the community, the Council is required to make a number of key decisions to meet its statutory and operational requirements. Consequently the democratically Elected Members are constantly making decisions on behalf of the community - some are small decisions and some are significant. When making decisions the Council takes into account a number of factors including: Present and future community interests and needs. Community well-beings and Community Outcomes. The ability to sustain future development. The opportunity for Maori to contribute to decision making processes.

2 Hauraki Long-Term Plan Volume 1 of 2 Summary of the Council s Significance Policy The Significance Policy is one of the Council s core decision making tools. The purpose of this policy is to help ensure that the key decisions made by the Council are open and transparent, with comprehensive reasoning behind why certain decisions have been made. The Council is required to develop a Significance Policy in accordance with section 90 of the Local Government Act, This policy must set out the Council s general approach to determining the significance of proposals and decisions in relation to issues, assets and other matters. The Council s current Significance Policy was adopted in 2009 and has been scheduled for review in early This policy establishes thresholds, criteria and procedures that assist the Council in assessing the extent to which issues/assets are significant. An assessment matrix was developed in conjunction with the Significance Policy to help staff quickly identify whether an issue/asset may be significant. The assessment matrix is set out below: Policy Standard Yes No Matters for consideration General Approach Do the consequences or impacts of the issues, assets, or other matters, affect a large number of residents and ratepayers to a moderate extent? Do the consequences or impacts of the issues, assets, or other matters, affect a small number of residents and ratepayers to a large extent? Does the issue, asset, or other matter, have a history of generating wide public interest within the District, the Waikato Region or New Zealand generally? >$1,000,000 above cost in approved Annual Plan and/or Hauraki Long Term Plan > $1,000,000 unbudgeted expenditure Thresholds Does it involve any transfer of ownership or control, or abandonment of a strategic asset? Significant impact on Council ability to deliver HCP? Private Sector partnership? Does it involve a strategic asset? Criteria Procedure Will there be a change in the level of service? Will there be a change in the method of service delivery? Will there be a change in the capacity of Council to provide the service? If yes is answered to any of the general approaches, thresholds or criteria the Management Team will consider the issues and prepare a proposal as to the degree of significance to award the issue, asset or other matter by using the decision making matrix and associated decision making report templates.

3 47 Significant Strategic Assets In accordance with Section 90(2) of the Local Government Act, 2002 the Council has identified in its Significance Policy the following strategic assets and groups of strategic assets as significant: The Hauraki District Council roading network as a whole. The Hauraki District Council land drainage network as a whole. The Hauraki District Council wastewater network as a whole. The Hauraki District Council water network as a whole. The Hauraki District Council urban stormwater network as a whole. Memorial halls in Ngatea, Paeroa and Waihi. Pensioner housing. A full copy of the Council s Significance Policy is available on the Council s website or can be obtained by contacting one of the Council s offices in Paeroa, Waihi or Ngatea.

4 Hauraki Long-Term Plan Volume 1 of 2 Decision making and consultation The consultation that the Council carries out with the community is crucial to the Council s decision making. The Council takes pride in the way it communicates with the community. As an organisation responsible to the communities it serves, Hauraki District Council is committed to on-going and effective consultation. Some decisions cannot be made by the Council unless explicitly provided for in the Hauraki Long Term Plan. This ensures that these decisions are considered by as many members of the community as possible within the wider context of the Hauraki Long Term Plan document, and are also subject to auditing processes. Decisions that do not fall into this category are considered by the Council and require a thorough, transparent reporting process and are also subject to an extensive but less rigorous consultation process. Operational decisions will generally not be subject to the consultation decision making processes as they are the responsibility of the Chief Executive. Through consultation the Council provides opportunities for the community and other stakeholders to actively participate in decisions that affect the future well-being of the Hauraki District. To ensure a high level of consultation is maintained the Council s Consultation Policy, which was reviewed in January 2012, is more extensive than what is required under the Local Government Act, The purpose of the Hauraki District Council Consultation Policy, 2012 is to ensure a consistent approach to consultation across the Council and to provide guidance on future consultation initiatives. This policy identifies: The Council s commitment to effective consultation with ten policy statements. Statutory requirements for consultation. The Council s protocol for inconsistent decisions. Areas where the Council may exercise its discretion. A full copy of the Consultation Policy is available on the Council s website or can be obtained by contacting one of the Council offices in Paeroa, Ngatea or Waihi. How Council is working with Maori The Local Government Act, 2002 places additional responsibilities on the Council to consult with Maori and to involve Maori in decision making processes. It also encourages the Council to assist Maori to take part in local government processes. The Council has identified seven Iwi groups as having Tangata Whenua status within the District. It also acknowledges that some Maori in the District do not have Tangata Whenua status but as visitors (taurahere) are included in these responsibilities. The Council currently has four Memoranda of Partnership with individual Iwi and is actively encouraging the development of additional Memoranda of Partnership. The Council will, during the course of this Hauraki Long Term Plan, seek to work with Maori on fostering and developing Maori involvement in local government. The Council will be considering: Identifying matters and areas of interest to Hauraki Iwi. Consultation. Capacity building of Maori to take part in decision making processes. Provision of information. A timetable for development of initiatives. Council and Iwi groups having Mana Whenua status in the Hauraki District Council rohe have established a Mana Whenua Forum and the first meeting of this Forum was held on 21 March All parties are hoping that this Forum will be a mechanism where the opportunity for discussion, dialogue and on-going exchange of views can be fostered and encouraged, particularly into the post Treaty Settlement time.

5 49 The Council acknowledges its responsibility under the Local Government Act, 2002 to: Have continuing consultation with Tangata Whenua. Consider options for capacity building of Tangata Whenua to better enable their participation in decision making processes. The Forum is seen as a potentially valuable mechanism for furthering these relationships.