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Words, words, words
It helps to use words correctly, so we have jotted down some important meanings to have in your mind as you read, think and talk about local government and the ideas in this publication.
“Local government” and “local body” are generic terms used to describe the system of government at the local level. However, only the terms “local authorities” (e.g. regional/city/district councils) and territorial authorities ( e.g. city/district councils) are defined. You can find out more by looking in the laws Parliament has passed to guide local government – particularly Local Government Acts, and the Resource Management Act. Local as well as national acts and regulations are available for free access on the website enabled by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, www.legislation.govt.nz.
DecisionMaker abbreviates the Local Government Act 2002 to LGA 2002.
Annual plan
A plan produced by each council each year that sets out what they intend to do each year, how much it will cost, where they intend to get the money – consistent with updating the Long-term Council Community Plan
Capital value
The value of land plus additions such as buildings, driveways and fences
City council
Elected representatives with primary responsibility for governing a major urban area (also used for the organisation that the council governs). See also district council.
Co-operation
LGA2002 says a local authority “should collaborate and co-operate with other local authorities and bodies as it considers appropriate to promote or achieve its priorities and desired outcomes, and make efficient use of resources”
Constituency
The body of voters that elect one representative to a governing body (such as local or central government)
Community board
Any council, regional, city, district or unitary, can establish a community board to represent a defined community on a particular issue. The board can act as an advocate for the interests of its community.
Community outcomes
Priority ideas for the intermediate and long term future of the district or region, discussed and arrived out through a process set out in LGA2002
Consultation
Consultation means asking people what they think about an issue, and doing so according to minimum standards in law and practice
Council-controlled organisations
Conuncil-controlled organisations (CCOs) are any organisations owned by one or more councils or in which councils have a controlling interest. They are expected to achieve the objectives of their shareholders, both commercial and non-commercial, as specified in its statement of intent
Councillor
Also known as an elected representative, who is elected to serve on a council
Decision-making
LGA 2002 says decision-making at local government level means every decision must be made as that Act says – including seeking to identify all reasonable practicable options for the achievement of the objectives
Democracy
A way we govern ourselves. It can be used to mean community participation in decision-making between elections, as well as at elections
Development contribution
A payment made by a developer to cover part of the costs of providing infrastructure to a new development. A territorial authority may require a development contribution to be made to the territorial authority when granting
- a resource consent
- a building consent
- an authorisation for a service connection
District council
A territorial authority whose boundaries do not include a major urban area. See also city council.
Governance principles
A local authority should ensure that the role of democratic governance of the community, and the expected conduct of elected members, is clear and understood by elected members and the community
Grant or subsidy
Money given from local or central government or other funds to a person or group for a specified purpose
Hearing
Meeting at which members of the public speak to elected representatives and/or staff about an issue
Infrastructure
The stock of fixed capital equipment that helps a community to function. This includes the pipes and machinery that allow councils to collect and manage water, wastewater, storm water and rubbish, as well as assets such as roads and buildings.
Local government statements
After each triennial election of members a local authority must make publicly available a local governance statement covering specified topics, including
- the electoral system and opportunities to change it
- representation arrangements, including the option of establishing Māori wards or constituencies, and the opportunity to change them
Local Government Commission (LGC)
The LGC’s powers include providing information about local government, promoting good practice by a local authority or local government generally. THe LGC reports to the Minister of Local Government.
Long-Term Council Community Plans (LTCCP)
LGA2002 says an LTCCP’s purpose include
- providing a long-term focus for the decisions and activities of the local authority
- provide integrated decision-making and co-ordination of the resources of the local authority
- provide an opportunity for participation by the public in decision-making processes on activities to be undertaken by the local authority
Party
A group of people with similar beliefs and/or who cooperate to win and hold political power, and are registered with the Electoral Commission to stand in elections
Principles, prescription and purpose
Local authorities in New Zealand traditionally gained their powers from highly “prescriptive” legislation, which set out in detail what local authorities must do, what they can do, and even how they do things. The traditional prescriptive approach of the 1974 Local Government Act was replaced in LGA2002 by a “principled” approach. This gives a generalised power to all local authorities to have full capacity to do anything for the purpose of performing their role – achieving their “purpose”
Purpose of local government
LGA2002 says the purpose of local government is “to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities, and to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities, in the present and for the future”
Public notice
A public notice might be one circulated in one local newspaper or as decided as adequate by the local authority
Rates
A charge levied on private and business property owners or lease-holders at local government level to contribute to the funding of local government services
Regional authority
Elected representatives with primary responsibility for governing a regional area, with particular emphasis on natural resources and the environment, and also the organisation governed by these representatives. A regional authority may co-operate on selected issues with territorial councils in its region and others
Resource consent
Where a council, using delegated authority under the Resource Management Act, gives an applicant permission for a particular land use activity
Significant decision
LGA 2002 says a significant decision may be one relating to land or water that must take into account the views of Māori
Special consultative procedure.
A legal duty where a council must consult in a certain way, including its statement of a proposal, placed on the council agenda, and publicised. When the procedure is used for a long-term council community plan, the draft proposal must be published also
Strategic asset
Such assets are ones that a local authority needs to retain if it is to maintain its capacity, and includes some lands and buildings, port and airport securities
Submission
Feedback or proposal from a citizen or group on an issue aimed to influence judgement – at the council level, parliamentary or other level
Tax
Money the government collects, some of which it may allocate to a council, or directly spend in a council area, to provide services for local residents and businesses
Territorial authority
A city or district council
Unitary authority
A combined regional authority and territorial authority
Ward
An area within a city or district council that has its own consitituency and representative.