Have any financing issues been identified with any work associated with the simplifying local government work programme, and if so, what are the issue/s?

Answer

The Government considers that funding and financing for local government needs to be sustainable for ratepayers. A key motive for the Simplifying Local Government proposal is to achieve efficiencies and reduce cost pressures on ratepayers. In the context of a particular proposal, it is up to councils to demonstrate those efficiencies. The Government’s expectation is that council groupings will undertake rigorous cost-benefit analysis to support Regional Reorganisation Plans.