Auckland is set for the change it desperately needs to compete as a world-class city.

The Royal Commission called for a united city with one council. That is now in train to be achieved in time for the local government elections in November 2011.

As recommended by the Royal Commission, the Government has created the Auckland Council as a legal entity and established the Auckland Transitional Agency.

We have set up a select committee so you can have your say about the Auckland Council and the local boards. The committee will call for public submissions and hold two series of hearings: one on the make-up of the Council and boards, and the other on their powers.

This will give you two opportunities to have your say on top of the ongoing programme of public meetings being held across the city. Your submissions will help define the role of the 20 to 30 local boards, so it is worthwhile making submissions that address what you want your local council to do for you.

The local councils will have funding for local activities, and, unlike the current community boards, aspects of their role will be supported by legislation rather than wholly delegated as they are at present.

The Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) will work with the existing councils through the changes. The Agency will deal with the day-to-day issues like managing the transition of employees, appointing key staff, and setting up offices.  As the Bills go through Select Committee the Agency will be listening closely to what Aucklanders want. The goal is to help ensure Auckland continues to grow and develop as smoothly and seamlessly as possible.

The ATA will not affect the work of your existing councils through the transition stage. The ATA, and the Ministers responsible for local government,  would only become involved if a council wants to spend large sums of money on projects outside its existing planning and budgeting.

Otherwise, your local government service delivery will roll out business as usual, and in 2011 you will elect 20 councillors to the Auckland City Council and the members to your local boards once there makeup is decided. Your submissions, made now, will help decide what your local board looks like and what it does.

The following are the main contact points for more information on the change Auckland is now undergoing:

Department of Internal Affairs information: www.auckland.govt.nz
National: www.national.org.nz/auckland

How to make a submission: http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/ACB8A16D-D905-416C-AE98-A6BFB07E34B5/103484/makingasubmission2007_1.pdf

Re Auckland Bills: http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/MakeSub/9/8/6/49SCAGL_SCF_00DBHOH_BILL9146_1-Local-Government-Auckland-Council-Bill.htm