Latest news with #CartertonDistrictCouncil
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Council Negotiations Take New Water Entity One Step Further
Key conditions for a Wairarapa-Tararua water entity have been negotiated by councils, including a 9-year period of non-harmonisation of prices and debt. Now, Carterton and Masterton councils will need to confirm their participation in the joint entity, or drop out and go it alone. South Wairarapa and Tararua councils have already formally committed to the partnership, but Carterton and Masterton both sought more clarity on price harmonisation, debt transfer, and governance matters before committing. Masterton District Council would meet in public exclusion on Wednesday to discuss foundation principles for the proposed Wairarapa-Tararua entity. Meanwhile, a report to Carterton District Council, which would also meet on Wednesday, outlined the terms that had been agreed upon through negotiations. It said the proposed joint entity would be a council-owned organisation with a board of seven directors at a minimum. These directors would be skills-based appointments and would include a member from Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and a member from Rangitāne o Wairarapa. All board members would be assessed against a skills matrix. A shareholder/stakeholder council would oversee the activities of the entity, appointing and removing directors, approving the Statement of Expectations and monitoring compliance with standards, and council performance targets. The shareholder/stakeholder council would be made up of six representatives - one representative appointed from each of the four councils, and one representative each from Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Wairarapa. Each would have one vote. The four participating councils would also be allocated shares based on connected water services customers. On this basis, 40% of shares would be allocated to Masterton, 27% to Tararua, 20% to South Wairarapa, and 13% for Carterton Changes to the non-harmonisation rules within the first nine years would require a unanimous vote of all four councils. Changes to the non-harmonisation rules after the first nine years would require a super majority (75%) using council shareholdings. A nine-year period was decided upon to tie into the three-year cycle of when water services delivery plans would need to be refreshed. A joint water services delivery plan would need to be adopted by each council in August, before being signed by the four council chief executives and submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs for consideration before September 3, 2025. The high-level cost of establishment of the entity is estimated at $5m which was proposed to be shared equally between participating councils, meaning each council's share would be $1.25m. In Carterton's case, council staff have recommended that establishment costs be loan-funded and that this debt be transferred to the entity along with other assets and liabilities at 'go-live'. The participating councils have agreed that the very last date for 'go-live' can be no later than July 1, 2027.
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Councillor Dale Williams Steps Down From Carterton District Council
Carterton District Council has received the resignation of Councillor Dale Williams. The resignation was submitted in accordance with Clause 5, Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, which requires elected members to resign by written notice to the Chief Executive. Geoff Hamilton, Chief Executive of Carterton District Council, acknowledged the resignation. 'I wish to thank Councillor Williams for his contribution to Council, and the community, and wish him all the best for the future.' As the vacancy has occurred within 12 months of the next local government election, Council will not be filling the position. This decision aligns with Section 117(3) of the Local Electoral Act 2001, which permits councils to leave a vacancy unfilled in the final year of the triennium, provided a formal resolution is passed and public notice is given. A resolution to this effect will be made at an upcoming Council meeting, and a public notice will follow confirming the decision.
