BLOG: Communities of Interest

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United Future
Since: 2007-08-08 10:30:45.829588
Posts: 220

BLOG: Communities of Interest

Posted at 2009-08-08 17:02:46.522. Permalink.

If I understand things correctly, one of the proposals under the new ‘Super-City’ is to keep locally elected Community Boards with some enhanced powers and resourcing to ensure local neighbourhoods are not overlooked regarding local concerns.
If that is correct then why not create some Boards that are not geographical but based around ‘communities of interest’. The obvious sector in my mind is the Disability Community. Voters could opt to vote for this Board rather than a geographically determined Board in the same way as folk currently opt for the Maori or General rolls.
This Board could have pre-determined powers like the other Boards and resourcing to further develop community access and participation for those living with impairment.
Some legislative criteria could be developed so that it was clear exactly which sectors qualified to be a Communities of Interest for the purposes of having their own elected Board.
What do you think?
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Damian Light
Since: 2007-08-16 23:02:21.605
Posts: 36

Posted at 2009-08-08 17:02:46.759. Permalink.

I think its prety revolutionay - has this been done anywhere else?

It makes a lot of sense too, since the main point of the new super-city is to break down the geographical borders and encourage a broader view of issues.

liberalcentrist
Since: 2008-05-28 20:00:51.134
Posts: 24

Posted at 2009-08-22 16:01:14.522. Permalink.

If there is to be a super city then it's vital that local interests be represented. Community Boards with real resources and real responsibilities will have a key role. I do wonder whether this centralisation of decision-making (or at least regionalisation) is consistent with our traditional approach of devolving power away from the centre?

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