Acknowledging the successes of the Local Council in meeting the requirements set for it by the 2016 Charter of the South Pacific, being to:

1. Moderate the Regional Message Board,
2. Encourage activity on the gameside, and
3. Administrate itself on issues unique to the in-game community.

I propose the following to replace the existing Local Council Section:


THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

To provide for an accountable system of local government for the NSSite communities that is effective and sustainable.

MEMBERSHIP

(1) The Local Government (LG) will comprise 5 members being:
- The Delegate,
- A representative of the Forum Executive, and
- Three members of the NSSite communities.

(2) In addition, the LG may allocate a number of deputies to assist them in their duties.

(3) Membership from the NSSite communities, including any deputies, will be detailed in a Local Government Act (or similar).

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

(4) Each member of the LG will be considered Regional Officers and given, as a minimum, the administrative duties of:
- Appearance,
- Communications, and
- Polls.

(5) In addition the above at least, the Forum Executive representative and one of the members of the NSSite communities will be provided Border Control Power in order to undertake effective moderation of the Regional Message Board.

FUNCTIONS

(6) The LG has the functions conferred or imposed on it by or under this Charter and any Act, where that Act is specifically identified as a "Local Government Act".

(7) The primary functions of the LG are as follows
- Promote a positive and supportive the South Pacific community
- Actively engage with the NSSite community
- Represent the interests of all players in the region, fairly, ethically and without bias.
- Moderate and promote engagement on the Regional Message Board,
- Undertake events or occasions,
- Improve integration and linkages between and with other governance elements in the South Pacific, and
- Prepare, enact and maintain legislation, ordinances, bylaws, or policies appropriate to the proper functioning of the Local Government and/or to the betterment of the NSSite Community.

LIMIT OF POWERS

(8) The Local Government is self-determining.

(9) The TSPForums communities may not pass laws that interfere with the operations or proper functioning of the Local Government.

(10) Similarly, the Local Government may not pass legislation, ordinances, bylaws, or policies which extend to the operations or functioning of the TSPForums communities.

(11) The LG may install an NSSite Lower Court to determine cases of criminality affecting the NSSite communities.

V. THE LOCAL COUNCIL

Establishing home rule for the in-game region residents.

(1) The Local Council will be the local government of the in-game community, composed of three or more residents of the South Pacific, and will represent the interests of all players in the region, moderate the Regional Message Board, encourage activity on the gameside, and administrate itself on issues unique to the in-game community.

(2) The Local Council is entitled to self-administration within its jurisdiction on local issues, but may not pass laws or regulations that contradict this Charter or constitutional laws passed by the Assembly. To that end, the Assembly may not enact any law, nor the Cabinet deliver any directive, that is solely related to an issue local to the in-game community, except as done under the terms of this Charter.

(3) The Local Council may not be denied the authority to run regional polls, create and pin Dispatches, and to suppress messages on the Regional Message Board according to a standard moderation policy. However, it may not alter the regional flags or tags, and may not send out mass telegrams, without the approval of the Delegate.

(4) To help promote inter-governmental relations, the Local Council may send a representative to the Assembly whose term must not exceed the Local Council’s. The method of selection will be decided by the Local Council.