Bay merger verdict pending

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule

A decision on amalgamation will be released this week, the Local Government Commission says, but speculation is rife it could be announced as soon as today.

The commission's options include releasing a "final proposal" which would become the subject of a regionwide referendum, or it could ditch the proposal entirely.

This follows a 2000-household telephone survey in March, which the commission said it would use as part of its decision making.

The announcement comes after Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the region's five councils merging into a single unitary local authority was the "only way" forward for Hawke's Bay.

In a Talking Point published in Hawke's Bay Today yesterday, Mr Yule described shared services established between councils via Hawke's Bay Local Authority Shared Services (HB LASS) as "mere window-dressing".

"Little progress has been made - nor will be made - under the current system of five councils with five chief executives and four mayors," he said.

"The only way to make progress is by amalgamating into one single council with the interests of the whole region at its core."

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton dismissed Mr Yule's claims as "insulting".

"To refer to HB LASS as merely window dressing is insulting to those who have picked up this company and made it a significant contributor to efficiency in Hawke's Bay's local authorities," he said.

HB LASS was ahead, in terms of projects delivered upon, of most other organisations of its kind in the country.

Napier Labour MP Stuart Nash said the amalgamation debate was "totally counterproductive to any economic growth, or development, or moving forward".

Shared services between councils and the establishment of the Hawke's Bay Business Hub were proof local authorities were working together, he said.

"Napier and Hastings are working really well together where there are opportunities to maximise efficiencies," Mr Nash said. "It's a shame Lawrence thinks councils aren't working together, because that's not the impression I've got from the Napier guys."

Mr Yule's comments might be an effort to push his pro-amalgamation agenda. "Maybe it's just Lawrence positioning for when a referendum comes out."

Tukituki National MP Craig Foss was supportive of Mr Yule's stance on amalgamation.

"I believe an amalgamated Hawke's Bay will give our region the best opportunity for economic, job growth and social success," he said. "We owe it to our children to enable Hawke's Bay to compete for their future."

Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO Wayne Walford said the chamber was pro-amalgamation, "as long as it develops opportunity for economic growth".

"If we've got one cohesive, strategic plan, it's easier to get funding from central Government."

He also agreed with Mr Yule's comments on shared services.

"The councils might have shared services, but one lot of rules on one side is different from one lot on the other side.

"It can hold up a project and that could be the difference between a profit and a loss."