Canterbury councils are considering a future with multiple unitary authorities, and stand-alone unitary authorities remain on the table.

The Canterbury Mayoral Forum supported its member councils exploring a regional approach to developing a proposal for the Government’s head start process, with individual councils working through the detail of what that looks like for their communities.

It’s understood the Mayoral Forum will hold a special meeting on June 12 to further discuss a proposal, that will provide for more than one unitary authority.

Selwyn and Ashburton elected members met on Tuesday to discuss the Head Start proposal.

Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon said it was about the opportunities and challenges it presents for the districts.

“Decisions made in one district can have significant impacts on neighbouring communities, so it is important we take the time to understand those effects and work collaboratively to achieve outcomes that benefit our communities.”

Ashburton attended a meeting with the southern Canterbury councils prior to the Mayoral forum last week, and likewise, Gliddon had caught up with the Christchurch City and Waimakariri mayors.

Ashburton is set to receive a report weighing up its options on June 10 that will provide some direction for Mayor Liz McMillan to take to the mayoral forum two days later.

Community and open spaces group manager Toni Durham said the options report will “show an early high-level initial analysis of potentially viable options”.

“It will include data from Ashburton District alongside data from our neighbouring territorial authorities, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis how the options may fit within the Government’s Head Start criteria, and possible next steps.”

It will also highlight the district’s priorities signalled by more than 360 resident responses to a recent survey.

Gliddon said that a “key message from Government was clear, there is no predetermined outcome”.

“Rather than Wellington telling councils what the future must look like, councils are being asked to work together and put forward proposals that best meet the needs of their communities.

“Canterbury needs to define its own vision for success.

“If Selwyn wants to advocate for a particular future, whether that is remaining a strong standalone district, becoming a Unitary Authority, or another option, we need a clear, evidence-based case that puts our communities first.

“There is still a lot of work ahead, and no decisions have been made.”

From the mayoral forum discussions, Gliddon said that becoming a “stand-alone Unitary Authority is not ruled out”.

Any future changes will need to reflect communities of interest, ensure councils are operating at the right scale for service delivery and decision-making, and that catchment management, transport networks, and regional planning “should not be fragmented”.

“Joint committees and shared service arrangements remain possible options for delivering regional functions.

“One of the biggest questions still to be answered is where regional functions will sit in the future.

“Whether those functions are delivered by new Unitary Authorities, shared regional arrangements, central government, or another model still to be worked through.”

Selwyn is planning a short survey to “start gathering our residents' views” this week, she said.

By Jonathan Leask