Local Boards

Auckland 101 WorkshopAlastair Child | Principal Advisor

Date: 24 October 2012

Key Facts

• 21 local boards across Auckland

• 149 local board members• Between 5 and 9

members per local board• Each local board has a

Chairperson• 3 year election terms• Shared governance

model

Purpose of Local Boards• Represent their communities, make

decisions on local issues, activities and facilities.

• “enabling democratic decision making by, and on behalf of, communities within the local board area”

• “better enabling the promotion of the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities within the local board area, in the present and for the future.”

Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009

Local Board Plans & Agreements

• Local Board Plans– produced every 3 years– reflect priorities and

preferences of communities– strong emphasis on

community engagement

• Local Board Agreements– produced annually– focuses on delivering Local

Board Plans through projects & setting local service levels

– need to be consistent with regional strategies & plans

Community Engagement

• Can be seen as “community face” of Auckland Council

• Understand, engage and represent local communities– Building relationships with

community groups & iwi– Establish local advisory groups

and panels (e.g. youth panels)– Lead formal engagement on

specific issues

Local Boards & Family Violence

• Community safety is an important issue for all local boards

“Champion local community safety initiatives to prevent crime, reduce alcohol and drug-related harm, reduce

unintentional injury, prevent and reduce family violence and promote safer environments” (Whau Local Board Plan)

“Continue to work with central and local government agencies to identify local solutions to family violence,

alcohol, health and welfare issues that face our communities” (Hibiscus & Bays Local Board Plan)

Engaging with Local Boards

• Community engagement• 21 Local Board offices• Public business meetings (monthly)• Public Forum• Agenda and minutes published

online

www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/localboards

• Contacting local board members• Local Boards on Facebook

Questions

Alastair ChildPrincipal Advisor, Local Board Servicesalastair.child@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Auckland 101 Workshop – 24 October 2012