Local Government is clearly very important to the nation (as was the Home Guard in WWII). Last week some 600 delegates, including a contingent of eight from the Whangarei District Council, gathered in Auckland to discuss issues ranging from rubbish to cat control.

 Mayor Sheryl Mai, councillors Tricia Cutforth, Cherry Hermon, Greg Innes, Sharon Morgan, Anna Murphy and two senior staff members represented the council at the meeting.

In a secret ballot conference delegates passed five remits.

• Giving councils greater powers to combat littering.
• Returning a portion of GST to the district it was generated in
• National legislation to manage cats
• Development of a Sugar Sweetened Beverages Policy
• Drivers licence programme to implement a free and all-inclusive universal drivers licence programme for all students at NCEA level two.

Prior to the conference, the WDC had agreed to support changes to the Litter Act so local authorities can issue infringement notices and that a proportion of GST to be returned to the regions it was generated.

Given voting at the conference was by secret ballot what assurance do we have that the council's delegates actually voted as per the wishes of the council?