Council considering membership of LGNZ

Christchurch City Council is seeking advice on the consequences of cancelling its membership of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ).

LGNZ is the advocacy body for regional and district councils around New Zealand but some Councils have been unhappy with its handling of the Government’s proposed reform of three water services – drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.

In late September the Timaru District Council voted unanimously to remove itself from LGNZ as it felt the organisation had not done enough to advocate for councils concerned about the reforms.

Today, Christchurch City Council voted to record its disappointment in LGNZ. It has also asked staff to prepare a report on the consequences of the Council cancelling its LGNZ membership.

“LGNZ leads best practice in local government and has been an effective advocate for our sector for many years so cancelling our membership is not a step to be taken lightly,’’ says Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

“If the Council wants to go down that track, it needs to fully understand the ramifications of that decision so that is why staff have been asked to prepare a report with advice on the consequences of withdrawing,’’ the Mayor says.