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Abolition of urban and rural wards
The second issue relating to representation is whether the council should elect its
councillors under the ‘ward’ or the ‘at large’ (district) electoral system.The review requires council to choose whether its councillors are elected under the 'ward' or the 'at large' (district) electoral system. The review also determines the number of councillors and rural community board members elected every three years.
Wanganui currently has an urban ward that elects nine (9) councillors, and a rural ward that elects three (3) councillors. We have a rural community board of six (6) representatives elected by the rural ward.
Under existing population patterns, it is likely that the Local Government Commission will reduce the number of rural councillors from three to just one, before the 2007 election, to reflect population patterns in the Wanganui district.
As part of the review, council is also required to consider the operation of its rural community board. It currently has six elected representatives although there was no election in 2004 because there were only six nominees. Council recently upgraded the board's status and powers to make it a full committee of council.
If the rural and urban wards are dissolved, all voters on the electoral roll will then elect all councillors. This is the existing system for the mayoral election.
Under either of these options, it is possible to retain the Wanganui Rural Community Board.
Advantages of retaining an urban/rural ward system
- A rural councillor could focus on rural issues such as roading
- One rural councillor is better than none - it gives rural people a direct voice
- Urban councillors might not appreciate rural issues, and vice versa
- The rural community board has less work to do
Advantages of establishing an 'at large' district-wide ward
- Everyone - whether urban or rural - gets to vote for all the councillors
- It makes all councillors responsible for rural issues, not just rural ward councillors
- The rural community board would be encouraged to take a more proactive role
- Rural people can stand and be voted for by all electors
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