Regional staff and Mayors are adapting quickly to the new governance model. Mayors want local councils to be the new focus for staff since the “Region only “ councillors are now redundant in any plans beyond October 2026.
Regional Staff are asking city council to give their thoughts on what is going right and what could be improved in the long term and this round is just about the roads network. This consultation is planned for each of the twelve councils.
Mayors may want the support of a well informed local councils when they go to vote at the new Regional council with their weighted vote.
Most complaints and concerns about roads went through city councillors throughout the history of the Region anyway so this new system is simpler for the citizens and the councillors. There will be much less passing the buck, “ call your Regional Councillor“ will be a thing of the past.
Regional staff understand that and appear to be getting ahead of the game by going directly to twelve local councils.
This is just the beginning. Other Regional departments will want to do the same thing, and the Mayors will likely be happy for it , since Regional tax is more than 50% of the tax bill delivered and collected by the city and that will all be on the Mayors’ shoulders.
It is good to see that Mayors and staff are adapting quickly , city councillors will have to adapt as well. Their job just got bigger.
Bruce Timms
