Another application for amalgamation of councils

December 19th, 2013

The Local Government Commission has received a new application proposing the union or amalgamation of Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council.

The application was lodged by Rick Farr (pictured, right), a Nelson corporate and commercial lawyer and a skilled commercial litigator working with C & F Legal Ltd.

The Commission is required to assess whether the application has the information required by the Local Government Act and to assess the community support for the application before deciding whether to accept it.

"We have been sent the proposal", said Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne in a press release, "and it appears Mr Farr has based his application for reorganisation on aspects of the proposal discussed and voted on nearly 18 months ago."

Most Motueka residents will remember the vote on an LGC proposal for such an amalgamation in 2012, which brought about vigorous debate and was ultimately defeated.

"It is up to the Commission to decide how they will treat the application and it is not appropriate for us to speculate. I do, however, hope that the poll result from 18 months or so ago which rejected a union across the region is considered when they assess community support.

"With the new councils settling in quickly and their respective new chief executives working closely, we are seeing a great deal being achieved together. The delivery of essential services and cost effective infrastructure from a financially sustainable platform is our focus right now and will be into the foreseeable future.

"Each Council has its own challenges, as well as their shared regional ones. If the application goes ahead there is a strong possibility it will only deflect attention and resources away from the very clear agendas we have been given by voters at the recent election."

Nelson City Council will continue focussing on the 2013/14 Annual Plan, working with the community to set its priorities while noting news of the proposal. Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese has seen the application and reviewed the Commission's procedures.

"The next steps will be decided by the Commission," she said. "I respect Mr Farr's right to make an application and commend him for his interest in local democracy.

"The community was polled on this issue 18 months ago. As far as I can see the basis for community support in this application relies on a review of the previous proposal.

"In my personal opinion, a united council has merit in the long term. A successful proposal will require community input and recognition of the diverse communities that make up the wider region.

"In the meantime Nelson City Council is focussed on setting priorities for the next Annual and Long Term Plans. We have considerable unfinished business to attend to and we are keen to focus our energies on delivering results for our residents."

Rick Farr has over 25 years experience conducting litigation in the New Zealand courts where he has appeared on many and diverse matters. He also has direct GM & CEO experience through various contracting roles.

He provides specialist advice on all aspects of business restructuring, commercial (including trans-Tasman) transactions and has significant negotiation, dispute resolution and insolvency practice.

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