Kaipara council report in hands of Carter

The ministerial review team's report and recommendations on the Kaipara District Council is now in the hands of Local Government Minister David Carter.

Press secretary Vanessa Rawson said Mr Carter had been out of the country and it was unlikely any decision would be made until this week,"if then".

Last Monday, after a briefing from the review team, the Kaipara Council resolved to ask the minister to appoint commissioners to take over governance of the district. The council has debts of more than $80 million with many residents refusing to pay rates.

The review team, led by Greg Gent, was appointed in June to peruse council's performance.

Mr Carter is expected to seek Cabinet agreement to appoint commissioners within the next two weeks. They could be in place by mid-September.

Councillors will remain in office until the commissioners are appointed, with their final duties including adopting the overdue Kaipara Long Term Plan and the overdue 2010/11 annual plan.

The plan adoptions were expected to be made yesterday but were delayed after the council agreed further discussion with the review team was needed.

Debate yesterday included questions as to whether the council was a "going concern" and legally able to adopt the plans.

To do so, the KDC must have the ability to meet its financial obligations over a 12-month period, after the adoption of its annual plan.

After some heated discussion, both plans were left to lie on the table pending the council meeting with the review team.

Mayor Neil Tiller and councillor John Blackwell voted against the decision with Cr Blackwell questioning the cost because of the council being unable to strike rates until such time as the LTP plan was adopted.

Councillor Wayne Linton and Julia Sutherland said they did not believe the council was a going concern.