Local Authority Representation Review

 

Representation Review

Local authorities are required to review their representation arrangements at least every six years.  For territorial authorities this involves determining the basis of election ie whether members are to be elected at large, by wards, or by a mix of both:  If wards are to be used, the number, boundaries and names of those wards, and the number of members per ward.  Territorial authorities must also determine whether there should be community boards in the district.

The Central Hawke's Bay District Council will be conducting a representation review prior to the 2013 Local Body Elections.

In carrying out the review, local authorities need to be guided by the principle in the Local Electoral Act 20014 (LEA) of "fair and effective representation for individuals and communities."  Fair representation is defined in the LEA in terms of the number of persons represented per member.  The ratio of persons per member in each ward or constituency is required to be within +/- 10% of the ratio for the district as a whole.  This is designed to ensure approximate equality in representation.

While not formally part of representation reviews, decisions on the electoral system and establishment of Maori wards or constituencies will impact on representation arrangements.

Public consultation for the representation review will commence in early 2012.

The LEA sets the parameters within which the representation review process must be undertaken.  The parameters are shown in the table below.  For each type of body, including community boards which must be considered as part of all territorial authority reviews, the table shows, the subject of the parameter, a brief description of the limits that apply and the statutory reference from the LEA.

Representation Review Parameters

Subject

Description

Statutory Ref

Mayor

To be elected by the electors of the district as a whole.

s19B

Membership

To be not less than six nor more than 30 including the mayor.

s19A

Basis of election

Options of:

  • All members elected by wards
  • Some members elected by wards and some at large
  • All members elected at large.

 

Each ward must elect at least one member, and each member representing a ward must be elected by the electors of that ward.

 

If there are no wards, members are elected by the electors of the district as a whole.

s19C

Representation

Arrangements must:

  • Provide effective representation of communities of interest within the district
  • If the district is divided into wards, ensure that electors receive fair representation having regard to the +/- 10% population rule provided in section 19V(2). (Note: the only grounds for not complying with the formula are to provide for effective representation of communities of interest within island or isolated communities).
  • Ensure that ward boundaries coincide with current statistical mesh block areas.
  • Ensure that ward boundaries, as far as practicable, coincide with community boundaries.
  • Comply with a population certificate obtained from the Government Statistician.

 

Central Hawke's Bay District Councils current representation is:

Mayor - elected by electors of the whole district

8 Councillors from two wards.  The four Councillors for each ward are elected by wards.

Council does not currently have any community boards or Maori wards or constituencies.