KEY POINTS:
After two months of talks on strengthening Auckland's regional government, councils still haven't been able to agree on how to cut costs.
Auckland Regional Council members are concerned that a reform proposal going to the Government today lacks measures - such as shared services, common building consents and charges, and common rates billing - that would cut costs.
North Shore, Manukau and Auckland City councils all support calls for an urgent investigation into expanding shared services.
Auckland City suggested there could be savings in a shared rating collection system that still let local councils set their own rates.
The region's eight councils have endorsed the principles of a proposal to strengthen regional governance, though not all agree on how reforms are to be achieved.
One source of argument is how a Greater Auckland council would be elected.
The ARC opposes a regional mayor or chairman being elected at large. But Manukau has said it has a "strong preference for a directly elected leader".
The regional council's wish to own and control Watercare Services is not shared by all councils, who are the Watercare shareholders.
Waitakere and North Shore councils want to keep Watercare's legislation structure and ownership the way it is, which lets councils control retail water prices.
The broad proposal was a first step, said Papakura Mayor John Robertson, who is chairman of the group overseeing reform proposals.
"We now look forward to the Government's response, which is essential to move to the next stage."
In February or March, councils' representatives and the Government will need to establish what laws should be changed, and when, and how the public will be consulted.
Councils will also have to work out their differences on how to achieve reform.
In September, Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard and North Shore Mayor George Wood started the ball rolling on the reform debate.
They suggested that a Greater Auckland council sitting over the top of three new city councils would show stronger leadership than the present system, but the ARC struck back with its own plan to broaden its powers and roles.
In response, the Government ordered all the councils to come up with one reform package and present it by early this month so changes could be made in time for the local body elections next October.
Mr Harvey said he was pleased there was about 80 per cent agreement on most of the issues.
"We now want to work with the Government to form up something which the public can have meaningful input into," he said.
Waitakere councillor Penny Hulse said it was frustrating that the debate had not gone to the heart of the problem.
"We haven't resolved what we expect of the Greater Auckland council."
Eden-Albert Community Board member Phil Chase said mayors and councillors had had their say but local communities had missed out.
He said the proper and legitimate procedures to hear the public's views before councils decided had not been followed.
The National Party's spokesman on Auckland issues, Wayne Mapp, said the proposed changes would bring some improvement.
"But Auckland will have as much bureaucracy as ever," said Dr Mapp.
"There will still be seven district plans, eight rating systems and overlapping jurisdiction.
"The complexity of Auckland local government is exactly what caused the stadium fiasco, with Auckland City wanting a stadium built on Ports of Auckland land, ultimately owned by the ARC.
"The ARC preferred the Eden Park upgrade but has not given any financial commitments."
MEGA AUCKLAND
What unites councils:
* A Greater Auckland council with a bigger role and new funding.
* A regional sustainable development forum as a standing committee of the Greater Auckland council.
* One-size-fits-all plan covering economic, cultural and environmental well-being.
* Sensible transport policy to cover big projects.
* New water rules so Watercare pays for stormwater works.
What splits them:
* How a Greater Auckland council is elected.
* Whether a regional chairman or mayor is elected at large.
* Who should own and control Watercare Services.
