November update: Mayoral Forum

The Mayoral Forum met at the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch on 28 November.

Agenda items included

Selection of Chair – Mayor Nigel Bowen, and Deputy Chair – Marie Black
A discussion on the role and mandate of Canterbury Mayoral Forum, and adoption of the Canterbury Local Authorities’ Triennial Agreement 2025-2028, noting the Agreement requires ratification by member councils by 1 March 2026
A discussion on an approach to review and update the Mayoral Forum’s Plan for Canterbury 2023-2025 for the 2025-2028 triennium
An update on the July to September 2025 region wide work underway to implement the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, noting establishment of local leadership groups, including discussions on the refinement of catchment boundaries, are progressing
An overview of work undertaken by the Canterbury Biodiversity Champions during the 2022-2025 local government term and agreement to reinstate the Canterbury Biodiversity Champions councillor group for the 2025-2028 local government term
A progress report on the implementation of the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan and a decision to continue the Canterbury Climate Champions Reference Group (Chair: Mayor Dan Gordon)
Approval of the continued development of a Canterbury regional deal proposal, noting the proposed budget for development of the regional deal proposal is subject to individual council decisions. Mayors Black, Bowen, Gliddon, Gordon, McMillan and Chair Swiggs were appointed to the Canterbury Regional Deal governance group
An update on the Regional Energy workstream and agreement to continue with the development of a regional approach for energy in the Canterbury region, noting that funding to progress the work, including preparation of a regional energy strategy and action plan/roadmap, is subject to member councils funding decisions
A local government update from Department of Internal Affairs representatives, with a focus on central government’s proposal to reorganise local government “Simplifying Local Government – a draft proposal”