The majority of Canterbury's mayors are open to reforms, but don't have the time or capacity to govern the regional council, Selwyn's mayor says.

Canterbury leaders gathered at the Mayoral Forum workshop on Friday to discuss the biggest shake-up to local government in 30 years.

Speaking on Tuesday [Jan 27], Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon said the forum feedback showed support for simplifying local government but questions remained on how that would work.

The Government plans to replace regional councillors with Combined Territorial Boards (CTB), which would be made up of mayors and potentially some minister-appointed representatives.

Gliddon said the majority of Canterbury mayors didn’t have an appetite for taking on that role.

“We don’t actually want to govern regional council.

“We are full-time in this [mayoral] role, and can you give good due process and diligence to governing regional council at the same time?

“We don’t have the capacity to govern a regional council.”

Discussions are also being held about bringing in commissioners “to remain objective”, alongside elected members, she said.

Some mayors don’t want to take on the governance but are keen to help with the reorganisation through the Combined Territorial Board (CTB), she said.

Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan said the mayors at the forum hadn’t reached a consensus as there were a lot of different views.

“We all agree it would be an extra workload for mayors, but whether commissioners is the answer is another discussion.

“There is still a lot to work through.”

Councils are all holding workshops to gather views, including Ashburton, she said.

“All I can do is put Ashburton’s view forward.”

Canterbury Mayoral Forum Chairperson and Timaru Mayor Nigel Bowen said the first workshop discussed the Government’s local government and Resource Management reforms, as well as the rates capping proposal.

The Forum acknowledged the current local government system requires reform, he said.

“However, we recognise the critical role local councils play in supporting and building strong, healthy, and prosperous communities.

“Essential services must continue to be delivered, and any future framework must work effectively for all our communities.

“While discussions are at an early stage, the Canterbury Mayoral Forum believes that form should follow function.

The mayoral forum’s regional submission is still being developed and once it is finalised it will be released to the public, he said.

The Mayoral Forum will meet again on 30 January to continue the discussions.

Environment Canterbury chairperson Deon Swiggs said he supports reform but argues it should strengthen, not dismantle, regional governance capability.

“The Government’s proposal has the potential to weaken, rather than strengthen, the ability to deliver regional coordination.”

He said the proposed changes for Canterbury would see regional representation drop from 16 regionally mandated representatives to district Mayors, who already hold full-time roles, with no specific regional mandate.

ECan councillors will discuss their submissions on the looming raft of reforms on Wednesday.

By Jonathan Leask