KEY POINTS:
Auckland's eight councils still cannot agree about how to strengthen regional government after a month of talks on three options.
But yesterday they were given a proposal with just a single reform option to consider over the next 10 days as a basis for a submission to the Government.
The suggestion - for a new directly elected, greater Auckland regional council - emerged from the councillors group overseeing reform.
The chairman of the group, Papakura mayor John Robertson, said it had been a difficult task.
"The Auckland region's current governance arrangements are highly complex, but when compared to the international stage, they are common.
"The councils have expressed general agreement as to why regional governance needs to be reviewed.
"But there has been no overall consensus about how this can be achieved."
Mr Robertson said councils had the chance to demonstrate cohesive leadership and strategic thinking when they voted on whether to accept the proposal.
He said the proposal included creation of a stronger regional entity - a greater Auckland regional council which would have a new name, potentially new representation arrangements, a broader role and responsibilities, and access to new funding sources as well as regional rates.
It would have a "regional sustainable forum" with some elected representatives of all councils and representatives from Government and nongovernmental representatives as required.
Mr Robertson said councils agreed the region should have a single plan for social, economic, cultural and environmental objectives and water, sewerage and stormwater needs.
