Lobbying Local Government
These resources will help community groups in their relationships with Local Government.
National Council for Voluntary and Community Organisations (UK)
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk
The publication A Little Bit of Give and Take on this site offers information on collaborative working, policy, voluntary sector accountability within cross-sectoral partnerships and how voluntary and community organisations can help transform the local relationship and public services.
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/publications/showall.asp?id=1491
There is also a briefing entitled Local Government White Paper 2006. This outlines plans for improving partnership working, as well as providing a major expansion of opportunities for local people to influence local decision-making.
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/policy/index.asp?id=3536
Local Government Commission (NZ)
www.lgc.govt.nz/lgcwebsite.nsf
The Local Government Commission's role is to make decisions on the structure and representation requirements of local government in New Zealand. On this website you can find procedures and guidelines for changes to the local government structure including: changing boundaries, constituting new districts and establishing communities, how to make a submission on a current proposal and view decisions made on previous proposals.
Department of Internal Affairs (NZ)
www.dia.govt.nz
The DIA's Local Government and community branch works toward the government and departmental goal of building 'strong sustainable communities, hapu and iwi' the rationale being that they will then have the potential to more effectively find solutions to local problems and achieve their own well-being.
www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/About-us-Our-Organisation-Local-Government-and-Community-Branch?OpenDocument
Local Government Online (NZ)
www.localgovt.co.nz
The website gives information about each of New Zealand's 86 local government councils, including: statistics, headquarters and service centre contact details, key personnel information and email addresses, major public policy documents, eg Annual and Long Term Council Community Plans (both draft and approved), Annual Reports and District/Regional Plans and a news service.
Community Resource Kit (NZ)
Available through www.community.net.nz offers guidance on communicating with local government, including how to be involved in Long Term Council Community Plans and annual plans.
http://www.community.net.nz/how-toguides/crk/communication/comms-government.htm
or hard copies at Citizens Advice Bureaux and public libraries.
Section 9, pages 7-8 "Communicating with Local Government".
Communities and Local Government (UK)
www.communities.gov.uk
This site contains information and publications relating to the implementation of Local Area Agreements (LAAs) and the development of Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) and how the community can get involved. It has some useful and relevant information to the New Zealand experience.
www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1133514
Local Councils (NZ)
www.localcouncils.govt.nz
How to get involved with your local council's decision-making process and LTCCPs (Long-term Council Community Plan) is covered under "Have Your Say" on this website.
www.localcouncils.govt.nz/lgip.nsf/wpg_url/About-Local-Government-Participate-in-Local-Government-Index
Voluntary matters 1 +2 (UK)
www.voluntarymatters1and2.org
This site offers tips and traps on lobbying local councils and their committees and officers.
www.voluntarymatters1and2.org/message/campaigning/more_depth/local_council.html
IVillage.co.uk (UK)
www.ivillage.co.uk
This website for women offers advice on lobbying strategies and meeting your local councillor.
www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/polsociety/archive/0,,164569,00.html
Ministry of Youth Development (NZ)
www.myd.govt.nz
The Ministry as part of its Local Government Youth Participation Project plan offers tips on supporting local government in the development of effective youth participation, increasing local government responsiveness to young people's opinions, issues and ideas, fostering greater involvement of young people in local government and supporting the development of youth councils attached to local government and independent youth councils.
www.myd.govt.nz/Youthparticipation/localgovernment/localgovernment.aspx
Book (NZ)
Lobbying your local council: helping you to be heard by decisionmakers, Deirdre Kent, Wellington NZ, Gateway Publications, 2000.
This manual is designed to help residents groups and public interest groups be better heard by local decision makers.
Available through:
http://ipac.citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=cen&index=BC&term=36463009117332#focus