Elected officials have spoken out against James Gough’s proposal to cut the number of Christchurch city councillors and community board members, but increase the areas they represent. Gough, the city councillor for Fendalton Ward, wants to reduce the number of city councillors around the table from 16 to eight and cut the number of community boards from seven to four. His proposal would see four community boards represent four wards – northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast. However, the number of board members representing these larger areas would be slashed from 37 to 20. This has been slammed by Banks Peninsula Ward city councillor, Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 11, 2021 00:00 UTC