Hamilton is sending the clear message that important decisions like local government reform should not be rushed, after Council decided not to submit a Head Start proposal today.
Elected members voted 12-3 in favour of not putting forward a proposal and instead advocating to central government for a more deliberate, evidence-led approach to local government reform.
Mayor Tim Macindoe said the decision reflects Council’s support for meaningful reform, while recognising that the current Head Start process is not the most effective way to achieve it.
“We have been saying for some time that Hamilton’s needs extend well beyond its boundaries, and there would be benefits in exploring local government reform to help address the opportunities and challenges that we are facing.
"Unfortunately, the tight timeframes for Head Start have meant that councils have been asked to make quick decisions when there is insufficient information available, including financial analysis of the benefits and costs associated with the various options. There also hasn’t been enough time to carry out meaningful consultation with our communities, which is concerning given they will ultimately carry the future cost of this reform," said the Mayor.
“Our decision to go for Backstop reflects councillors’ shared commitment to acting in the best interests of Hamilton. Civic leadership sometimes means resisting immediate but imperfect options to protect long-term public interest.
“While there were different views around the table, I respect the decision reached and the collective focus on securing the best outcome for our city."
Council will now prepare and submit a paper to central government setting out its position on the Head Start process and seeking involvement in the next phase of discussions. The paper will also outline Council's views that robust information, evidence and meaningful community engagement and consultation are needed before any decisions should be made.
"Our focus now is on ensuring Hamilton’s interests are strongly represented, so we can shape an outcome that delivers the best possible future for our city and the communities we serve," said the Mayor.
"Hamilton is New Zealand’s fourth largest and fastest-growing metropolitan city. Our voice deserves to be heard and respected and must carry real weight in the decisions that shape our future. The success of our city is intrinsically linked to the success of the wider region, and that must be recognised as this process moves forward."
Today's decision comes after a three-month process that has seen Council consider a range of reform scenarios and progressively refine them through technical assessment, elected member workshops, community consultation results, regional discussions, and consideration of Government requirements.