Council response to questions on Upper Selwyn Huts Licence term consultation

In connection with the Council’s consultation for Upper Selwyn Huts, a number of questions have been received about its general and legal position on the term of a future Deed of Licence.

It's important to note that no decision has been made yet. The Council is currently consulting with the community on the proposed Deed of Licence, which includes options for the licence term. This consultation gives the community the opportunity to share their views before any decisions are made.

Once consultation closes, Councillors will consider all submissions along with other relevant factors before making a recommendation. Some of the key considerations include:

The Council’s responsibilities in managing Crown-owned land

The Council has a responsibility to manage land on behalf of the Crown ensuring it is used and maintained appropriately, in a way that benefits both the local community and the wider district, while also taking long-term sustainability into account.

Being fair to all Selwyn ratepayers

Any decisions made need to be fair for everyone across the district. This means ensuring that the impacts on individuals are appropriately balanced against the interests of the whole district.

Thinking long-term about how things are managed

The Council needs to consider what is realistic and responsible in managing assets over the medium to long-term (noting Council’s long-term plans typically cover 10-year horizons). The Council needs to look at what an appropriate licence term is and think about future Councils, making sure today’s decisions don’t tie them into long-term commitments that may no longer suit changing needs or conditions.

Making good decisions

The Council follows the principles of good decision making in the Local Government Act 2002, which means making decisions that are fair, well-informed, and in the best interests of the district as a whole.

The issue of term will be balanced as an exercise of discretion within the limits of reasonableness under this Act having regard to the factors above.

We welcome your feedback and engagement through the consultation process. Please read a copy of the consultation document here(External link). You can make a submission by clicking the button at the bottom of this consultation page.