Welcome to this edition of the SOLGM Members Briefing. In it you will find a range of information that may be of interest.

The brief comprises short introductory notes to issues, documents, resources, a ‘heads-up’ on national and international programmes and projects of interest and a link to more detailed information.

While not exhaustive, we have drawn from a range of New Zealand and international sources.

If you would like to suggest additional sources of information that we might monitor, or if you have material of your own you think could be included in a future edition, please contact Chris Wilson, Senior Advisor, Sector Improvement, Chris.Wilson@solgm.org.nz.

NOTE: This briefing is a platform for sharing of information. The views and opinions represented by agencies and individuals and the associated links credited in this document should not be misconstrued as the views of SOLGM. Members are advised to use the material at their own discretion and should seek appropriate professional advice should any of the matters within the information necessitate clarification or further internal council discussion.

In this edition you can find information on:

- Cultural Activities
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Economic Development
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Climate Change
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Devolution
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Future approaches to local government
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Accessibility
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Water Quality
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Housing Affordability
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Ministry for the Environment
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Productivity Commission
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Statistics New Zealand
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The New Administration

Cultural Activities

Australian Local Government Association

A new report has been released on cultural spending by government which estimates that local government spends 27% of the total national spend on cultural activities. The report measured 24 categories across the heritage and arts sectors. The categories included museums, libraries, arts education, archives, music, festivals and film production. http://bit.ly/2Acw5Me

Economic Development

The London School of Economics and Political Science

A blog that sets out three criteria for forming regional industrial development strategy: Employment, Interconnectednes and Comparative Advantage. The blog encourages policy makers to take care in identifying sectors in the first place, but when doing so to use due diligence to allow proper identification of the most economically advantageous. http://bit.ly/2iUQoJY

Centre for Cities

A summary of a briefing about how the costs of growth, such as high property prices, congestion and air pollution, need to be managed to help sustain success in the most buoyant cities in the United Kingdom. http://bit.ly/2zsSGY6

Climate Change

World Economic Forum

The United Nations’ Climate Change Conference started in Bonn on 6 November. The key topics of discussion include: extreme weather, the United States, bolder ambition, finance and the real economy (low-carbon economy). http://bit.ly/2AptEq2

Devolution

The London School of Economics and Political Science

This blog examines the delivery of devolution to Greater Manchester. This process has created a variety of tensions as well as opportunities for civil society actors as they had to wrangle with new government structures. http://bit.ly/2iphZ2b

Local Democracy Think Tank

A summary of “Beyond Devolution – the final report of the Local Democracy Network”. The report looks at some of the bigger questions around governance and makes some radical recommendations. http://bit.ly/2gYBLBd

The New Zealand Initiative

The New Zealand Initiative has written a report about their delegation visit Switzerland in May 2017. Switzerland has a highly decentralised government and direct democracy. The report examines how Switzerland has become rich: a land-locked country, with no natural resources, four official languages but now twice New Zealand’s per capita GDP. http://bit.ly/2iVEWhj If you were at the 2017 SOLGM Annual Summit you'll recall the presentation on the delegation's visit.

Future approaches to local governance

New Local Government Network

The New Local Government Network has published a think piece which argues for a major cultural shift in local government towards three core values: creativity, collaboration and self-determination. This is a ‘Changemaking’ vision which local government must actively embody within their organisations. http://bit.ly/2u4afuk

Accessibility

Cities Today

An interview with Dr Victor Pineda, President of Enabled and James Thurston, G3ict’s Vice President for Global Strategy and Development. The interview discusses a new toolkit, Smart cities for all, which has been released to help cities reduce the digital divide and make them accessible for all. http://bit.ly/2gAuEyw

Water Quality

Local Government New Zealand

This news item introduces a declaration by local government leaders that further iterates the sector’s commitment to water quality and calls on the new Government for greater action. Lifting the quality of freshwater resources and improving our drinking, waste and stormwater provision will require a collaborative effort and will come at a significant cost. http://bit.ly/2yrGxlM

Water New Zealand

Water New Zealand has noted that the Royal Society has released a new report on climate change that looks at the human health impacts in NZ across a range of factors. Impacts relevant to three waters management include the possible abandonment or relocation of neighbourhoods in flood or erosion prone areas and increased pressures on water quality and quantity. http://bit.ly/2zsbHdb

Australian Government Productivity Commission

The Australian Government Productivity Commission has released a draft report on National Water Reform. It emphasises the importance that Australia manages its water resources well, given their dry and highly variable climate, and the importance of water to their economy. The report, amongst other things, considers the things that governments need to respond the challenges posed by population growth, climate change and changing community expectations, including the cultural and economic aspirations of indigenous people. http://bit.ly/2iWPoVG to download the Word document.

Office of the Auditor General (OAG)

The OAG has released a report about their work programme on water management. The OAG is looking at water management activity in several organisations, focusing on drinking water, freshwater, stormwater, and the marine environment. http://bit.ly/2iYJCTr

Housing Affordability

Localis

This news item introduces a policy programme for disrupting the housing market to save the home-owning democracy in the UK. The report sees home-owning democracy as a bulwark against populism and radicalisation by having a tangible stake in society. The report puts forward policy programme to reform the private rental sector in order to extend the franchise of a home-owning democracy to future generations. http://bit.ly/2ypp9OH

Next City

An article about moves in Seattle to make it easier for homeowners to build backyard cottages and basement apartments. This is in response to a housing affordability crisis created in part by greater demand for housing than available supply. http://bit.ly/2zsuJ2L

Ministry for the Environment

The release of the “Our atmosphere and climate 2017 report”. This presents information about the state of the New Zealand atmosphere and climate, the pressures on this state, and what this means for New Zealanders and the environment. http://bit.ly/2gka4T1

Productivity Commission

The Productivity Commission has prepared a background resource for their low emissions inquiry. The paper considers the United Kingdoms’ Climate Change Act 2008 – the background to its introduction, the key design features and performance to date. http://bit.ly/2hAlYJz

Statistics New Zealand

The North Island is where an estimated 3.67 million live as of 30 June 2017. This accounts for 77 percent of New Zealand’s total population. http://bit.ly/2lIlMwu

Statistics New Zealand has released Subnational Population Estimates as of 30 June 2017. Auckland is New Zealand’s fastest growing region followed by Northland and Waikato. http://bit.ly/2z9QTqi

The New Administration

Coalition Agreement between Labour and New Zealand First

Labour and New Zealand First have signed an eight page Coalition Agreement. http://bit.ly/2AeuWTQ

Confidence and Supply Agreement between Labour and Green Party

Labour and The Green Party have signed an eight page Confidence and Supply Agreement. http://bit.ly/2zBjnd2

SOLGM recommends attending The Next Three Years: The 2017 Election and Local Government Webinar on 29 November to find out more. The formation of the Labour/NZ First/Greens government came with a very broad policy agenda. The local government sector has not escaped attention – whether it’s in the framework legislation or functional reforms. There’s opportunity and risk in almost all of it.

 

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