Environment Canterbury's Commissioners have been assigned the following responsibilities, according to the main portfolio and committee functions of the Regional Council.
Regional Planning Committee
This committee develops regional policies, plans and strategies in order to promote sustainable management and give effect to the Regional Policy Statement and Council policy directions.
Peter Skelton is Chair of the Regional Planning Committee.
Finance and Audit Committee
This committee deals with audit, external financial reporting, financial risk management, internal control and strategic performance management.
David Bedford, Dame Margaret Bazley and Rex Williams have been appointed to Finance and Audit.
Canterbury Regional Transport Committee
This is a statutory committee with two regional council representatives, one elected member from each territorial authority, one representative from New Zealand Transport Authority, and six community appointments. This group prepares a regional land transport strategy and a regional land transport programme. It also advises and assists the regional council on any other matter relating to its transport responsibilities.
Rex Williams and Tom Lambie are the regional council representatives, with Rex Williams as chair.
Canterbury Civil Defence and Emergency Management Joint Committee
This is a joint standing committee under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, made up of elected representatives from territorial authorities and the regional council, exercising governance and determining Canterbury group emergency management policy.
Donald Couch was appointed the regional council representative.
Chief Executive Performance Review
Dame Margaret Bazley is Commissioner responsible for the Chief Executive’s performance review.
Maori Affairs
The purpose of this group is to build good relationships and partnerships with Maori, (Ngai Tahu runanga and Nga Maata Waka) and give effect to the council’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngai Tahu Settlement Act, Local Government Act 2002 and related obligations under the Resource Management Act.
Donald Couch and Dame Margaret Bazley are the Commissioners responsible for this function.
Canterbury Water Management Steering Group
This group provides advice to the Canterbury Mayoral Forum on the development of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. It has representatives from local and central government, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and community representatives, including environmental, farming, industry and recreational interests. The steering group is overseeing finalisation of the strategy targets and the legislative mandate. Implementation of the strategy will be via zone and regional committees. The regional council has had representation at the councillor level and chief executive level.
David Caygill and Peter Skelton are the regional council representatives. In addition, existing members of the committee, former regional councillors Eugenie Sage and Angus McKay, who were members of the steering group, will remain on the committee.
Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS) Implementation Committee
Comprised of the Urban Development Strategy partners – Canterbury Regional Council, Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri District Council, Selwyn District Council and New Zealand Transport Authority – this group provides guidance and makes recommendations to Council on the implementation of the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy.
Rex Williams and Tom Lambie are the regional council representatives to the committee.
Regulation Overview Committee (ROC)
The Council undertakes an ongoing review of the performance of the regulatory functions of Environment Canterbury.
Peter Skelton and David Bedford are the Commissioners responsible for regulation overview.
Regulation Hearing Committee
This Council committee has delegated functions to appoint hearings commissioners under Resource Management Act processes.
Peter Skelton is chair of this committee, with members Tom Lambie and Donald Couch.
Council Portfolio Groups
Commissioners are responsible for portfolio activities, as follows:
- Air quality and energy: David Bedford.
- Coasts and navigation safety: Donald Couch.
- Hazards and emergency management: Donald Couch.
- Land, biodiversity, pest management, waste, hazardous substances and contaminated sites: Tom Lambie.
- Regional land transport and public passenger transport: Rex Williams.
- Water quality, quantity and ecosystems: David Caygill.
- Democratic process: Dame Margaret Bazley.
- Combined portfolios: Dame Margaret Bazley.