Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer thinks the funding proposal in the Future for Local Government Report is “one of the more exciting parts” of the review (The Weekend Sun, July 13). But only five of the 17 recommendations are in regard to funding.

A number of the other recommendations are cause for concern. For example, some of the recommendations for “Strengthening local democracy and leadership” is for Local Government and councils to “develop and invest in democratic innovations, including participatory and deliberative democracy processes” and to “Enhance local democracy in order to increase access and representation” by providing for a four-year local electoral term, adopting Single Transferable Votes for local elections, lowering the threshold for the establishment of Māori wards, enabling Te Tiriti-based appointments to councils and lowering the voting age for local elections to 16.

Perhaps Mayor Denyer can explain how lowering the threshold for establishing Maori wards or enabling Te Tiriti-based appointments to councils will “enhance local democracy”?

Tauranga City Council Commission Chair Anne Tolley claims that: “There’s absolutely no doubt that the largely rates-based funding model does not work in fast-growth centres like Tauranga”. Perhaps she can explain why ordinary New Zealander’s taxes should be used to fund Tauranga’s growth.

Keith Hay, Katikati-Waihi Beach Residents & Ratepayers Assn.

* Western Bay Mayor James Denyer responds:  Improved funding of Local Government is important for councils to achieve better outcomes for their communities, so I agree with the Future for Local Government review in that regard.

There are many other varied recommendations in the review, some of which I agree with and others not. I look forward to working with my fellow mayors and other elected members across New Zealand in the coming months to come to a consensus within the sector.

TCC Commission chair Anne Tolley responds:

Tauranga’s growth has generated significant revenue for the Government and will continue to do so. No-one has suggested that ‘ordinary New Zealanders’ taxes’ be used to fund that growth, but we do advocate sensible prioritisation of Government expenditure to address growth infrastructure challenges; and we endorse the Future for Local Government Review report’s recommendations that the Government should pay rates for the properties it owns, and that GST collected on rates should be returned to local authorities so that they can continue to deliver the essential services New Zealand communities depend on.