The Local Electoral Act 2001 requires the Council to review its representation at least every six years.

• Do we have the right number of Councillors?

• Should our Ward boundaries be changed?

• Should the wards also be represented also be represented by a Ward advisory Board or a Community Board?

Council has supported the recommendations of the Representation Review Working Party which proposed minor changes to the ward boundaries for the 2010 council elections and a change of status for two of the District’s Ward Advisory Boards.

Responding to majority support in submissions received the Council proposes that Community Boards be established for both Rangiora and the Woodend/Ashley wards. The Oxford/Eyre ward will retain its Ward Advisory Board.

The process is now subject to appeals and objections. Those people who have made a submission will be able to lodge a written appeal against the proposals, and those who have not made a submission will be able to lodge a written objection to the amendments to the original resolution which did not propose community boards. Appeals and objections will be able to be lodged with the Council until December 16th, 2009, after which they will be forwarded to the Local Government Commission for consideration.

After consideration of all objections and appeals the Local Government Commission will determine the representation arrangements for the Waimakariri District. This process must be completed by April 11th, 2010.