Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Council wary of changes to Local Government Act

Updated at 5:34 am on 6 September 2012

The Auckland Council is opposing proposed reforms to the Local Government Act, saying it is too soon to change the structure used to set it up two years ago.

A select committee has been hearing submissions on the bill, which would see central government have more say in the way councils operate.

Deputy mayor Penny Hulse says it has been less than two years since the Act was amended to allow for seven former councils to merge into one and it is too early to say how well it is working.

Ms Hulse says the Government's proposed amendments, such as fiscal caps on spending and forcing councils to spend less time on economic, cultural and environmental issues, will fundamentally change the way the council operates.

The select committee is continuing to hear submissions, and is due to report back to Parliament by mid-October.

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