Selwyn District Council

Selwyn District Council serves a fast-growing population of approximately 85,000 (estimate as at 2024) across an area of 6,420 square kilometres which includes many farms and small towns. The Council consists of 11 elected representatives – a mayor and 10 councillors - who are voted in by residents and ratepayers every three years. The elected representatives are drawn from four wards: Tawera Malvern (main town Darfield); K? M?nia Rolleston (main town Rolleston); K? Puna Springs (main town Lincoln); and Te Waihora Ellesmere (main town Leeston), along with 2 district wide councillors. The District Council is actually the second tier of local government. Above it is the Canterbury Regional Council (known as Environment Canterbury) which encompasses 10 South Island local authorities from Kaikoura to Waitaki and whose elected members set the policies for managing the air, water and land environment throughout the Canterbury Region. Below the District Council is a third tier of local government - the community board. Malvern Ward has a community board. This board is delegated by the Council to oversee certain local services and facilities. The Te Waihora Ellesmere, K? Puna Springs, and K? M?nia Rolleston wards have no community boards; Council oversees their local services directly. Purpose of Local Government Section 10 of the Local Government Act 2002 states that the purpose of Local Government in New Zealand is to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of communities; and to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities, in the present and for the future. The role of a local authority is to give effect, in relation to its district or region, to the purpose of local government stated in section 10; and to perform the duties, and exercise the rights, conferred on it by or under the Local Government Act 2002 or any other enactment. These statements reflect a number of related ideas. These are: Democracy Effectiveness Local decision-making and local accountability A broad concern with the well-being of communities The Act sets out a series of principles relating to local authorities. These are overarching principles that apply when exercising any power or performing any duty under the Act. They do not require local authorities to undertake specific activities but more in the nature of mandatory considerations or a list of things for local authorities to turn their minds to. Open, transparent, accountable conduct of business Effective and efficient conduct of business Consideration of community views Recognition of diversity Interests of future communities Promoting well-being Involvement Cooperation with other bodies Sound business practice Prudent stewardship