Big changes for local government
The Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act has been passed. It requires councils to focus only on certain issues, cap spending and borrowing, limit staff numbers and pay and make it easier to go ahead with amalgamations and shared services. For an update on the new Amendment Act click here
Big changes - Mar 2013 update
The Government now says:
"Work is also underway on the second phase of the reform programme which now consists of six streams of work:
• 1. An efficiency taskforce
• 2. An expert advisory group on local government infrastructure efficiency
• 3. A review of development contributions
• 4. A framework to guide the allocation of regulatory roles between local and central government
• 5. Investigation of a dual or two-tiered governance model for local government
• 6. Development of options for a performance framework for local government.
Each of these streams of work will feed in to a second amendment Act in late 2013. There may also be changes which can be made without legislation. These will likely include process and practice changes."
What does the PSA say?
The proposed changes are part of the wider government public sector agenda to cut staff and services and privatise.
It takes the ‘local’ out of local government by giving central government more power to intervene in local decision-making.
Capped budgets are likely to lead to more contracting out and private provision of council services and infrastructure.
What is the PSA doing?
The PSA is continuing to engage with and lobby key politicians and decision-makers on the any changes.
It is seeking to prepare collective agreements and terms and conditions so they will protect members during any change
It is bringing together members and delegates from across the country to keep them informed and prepare them for change.