This deals with how many Councillors there are in Kapiti (there are 10 at present), how they are elected — from Wards or Districtwide — (half and half at present) and whether or not there continue to be Community Boards — at present there are 4: Otaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu/Raumati and Paekakariki.
The easiest place to start is this 12-page primer (pdf) which includes a two-page questionnaire for feedback, which needs to be in by Monday 4 October. There is no need to answer the questions in the format given, however, and you can create your own submission covering the same points.
This can be e-mailed to representation.review@kapiticoast.govt.nz or delivered by traditional means.
More detailed information is on this webpage of the Council site. We’ve looked at this issue on WW briefly already and will make a detailed submission in a week or so.
If you want to give feedback verbally at a public hearing on Tuesday 19 October 2021 (Cv restrictions allowing), say so when you send the submission (at the end of the survey if you use that) and provide your contact details.
The council will always do what it wants to do and doesn’t mind socking the ratepayers. If, giving ratepayers money away to people who dont pay rates leads to a few more votes come elections, it will give till the cows come home.
This is just another smoke screen.
The 6-yearly review is a legal requirement. The KCDC management clearly consider scrutinizing, questioning elected members to be a nuisance and would rather run an autocracy, but the law doesn’t allow them to. We think the issue needs attention.