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Ward to lose a councillor
11 August 2006, Nelson Mail, By Sally Kidson
Richmond
will gain a councillor and
the Lakes-Murchison ward will
lose one if the Local Government
Commission accepts the Tasman
District Council's latest
representation plan.
At an often-heated meeting in Richmond on Thursday, the council voted nine to four to cut the number of councillors for the Lakes-Murchison ward from two to one and increase representation in Richmond from three to four. It deferred a decision on whether to keep or increase the number of community boards.
However, its decision risks being overturned by the commission if residents object, because it still doesn't fit legal guidelines of having one councillor for every 3527 people, plus or minus 10 percent.
Under that formula the Murchison-Lakes ward doesn't qualify for even one councillor, and Golden Bay only qualifies for one. The council will have to argue the two communities are a special case because of their geographical isolation.
Many councillors found the decision difficult and the council voted to make it clear to the commission that it believes the population criteria disadvantaged the council as a unitary body.
"It just doesn't fit," Cr Pat O'Shea said.
Deputy Mayor Tim King said the council's decision was the best of a bad bunch.
Thursday's decision has left Lakes-Murchison Crs Stuart Bryant and Ted O'Regan and other ratepayers they represent "bitterly disappointed", but has been welcomed by Richmond residents.
Speaking outside the meeting, Cr Bryant said he was sure people would appeal the decision.
"It will be a huge ask for one councillor to do that job. It will have to be a brave person to do it."
Cr O'Regan said he thought the council had given too much emphasis to the population criteria of the legislation at the expense of the arguments that could be made for effective and fair representation.
Murchison District Community Council chairman Simon Blakemore questioned how one councillor could cover such a large area effectively. If it lost a councillor, ratepayers would face a toll call to the council to deal with issues, he said.
"We have had good service from our councillors, in the future it's going to be a lot harder for them."
The association would discuss whether to appeal the decision at its meeting next week, he said.
Tapawera resident Dinkie Phillips said she was concerned the rural voice would be lost in the ward.
"At present it's good. We have one in Murchison and one in Tapawera which covers this end."
Richmond Unlimited chairman Phil Taylor said increased representation was good news for Richmond.
"When it comes to the crunch you do have to rely on numbers."
The council will meet on August 24 to finalise its position on community boards.
Once the decision is finalised it will be publicly notified and the public will be able lodge appeals. If just one appeal is lodged the proposal gets sent to the Local Government Commission.
see CommunityAction response: Tasman Council Makes a Mockery of Consultation