At the Council Meeting on 31 July the elected members made the following key decisions.
Feedback on Headstart Consultation Report
The Councillors considered a report containing the feedback received from public consultation, including public meetings.
The consultation had presented a number of options for local reorganisation.
Council voted to proceed with Option C, a five-tier model made up of Mackenzie, Timaru, Waimate, Waitaki and Ashburton District Councils, as its preferred option, subject to Ashburton District Council's decision which is due to be made at their meeting on 5 August. This is in line with the majority of the submissions received from the public.
Councils second preference was for Option B, the four-tier model.
The Mayor and the Chief Executive were authorised to finalise the draft outline proposal with the neighbouring councils so we can meet the 9th of August deadline.
Adoption of the Constitution for the Water Services Organisation
The Councillors considered the next steps to be undertaken in the establishment of the new joint water organization.
They approved the draft constitution to enable the establishment of the joint Water Organisation, and authorised the Chief Executive to take all necessary steps to establish the joint Water Organisation as a company
They also noted that the Joint Shareholders Committee will appoint a director and chairperson to the Water Organisation on 29 July 2026 and provide delegated authority for them to sign all documentation required to establish the company, in consultation with the Committee Chair.