Better local government reform proposals: improving or diminishing local government?

Abstract

In March 2012 the then minister of local government, Nick Smith, announced a new, eight-point plan for reforming local government. The so-called Better Local Government proposals include: refocusing the purpose of local government;  introducing fiscal responsibility requirements; strengthening council governance provisions; streamlining council reorganisation procedures; establishing a local government efficiency taskforce; developing a framework for central/ local government regulatory roles; investigating the efficiency of local government infrastructure provision; and reviewing the use of development contributions. The government’s intention is to address the first four points in legislation to be introduced into Parliament in May 2012 and passed by September, to enable the Local Government Commission to consider council reorganisation proposals in time for the October 2013 local government elections. The remaining four points are intended to be encompassed in reform legislation in 2013.