http://www.chbdc.govt.nz/mayoral-blog/ http://www.chbdc.govt.nz/worthwhile-meetings/ <p>A group of 16 Councils from Wairoa across to Taranaki and down to the Manawatu are called Zone 3 and meet 6 monthly. The usual agenda covers current issues, presentations from relative Agencies, an update by the President of Local Government, a tour of the district hosting the meeting, a meal shared, and the opportunity for each Mayor to give a 5 minute delivery of how each respective Council is faring. </p><p>Here is a summary of the latest Zone 3 meeting held in Hawera:</p><p>•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Voluntary amalgamation of rural fire services is to be encouraged <br />•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Energy Efficiency and the Conservation Authority is persuading Councils to be involved in the government’s insulation and heating retrofit programme and other energy efficiency measures <br />•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The NZ Utilities Advisory Group addressed us about the Infrastructure Bill currently before Parliament and emphasised the positives <br />•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Education Review Office spoke about their role and offered to share information which would be useful to help local authorities partner with schools <br />•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Civic Assurance and Riskpool - update on current activities and future insurance costs for Councils. </p><p>So during this sojourn to Hawera and collegial networking, we’ve heard beneficial information about how to benefit our community, and also how this information reflects Central Government’s continued movements to gain efficiencies across all services. We gain much by sharing current key issues but also by viewing projects in place and how they are to be enhanced e.g. the Tawhiti Museum, and also by seeing new projects such as Hawera’s new $23 million Sports Stadium.</p><p> A well worthwhile meeting!</p> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:25:00 +1300 http://www.chbdc.govt.nz/worthwhile-meetings/ http://www.chbdc.govt.nz/more-than-rates-rubbish-and-rats/ <p>What has become more evident in my position as Mayor is the work and support undertaken by Council for no other reason than for the public good. </p><p>Council supports many community organisations that are providing great services largely on a voluntary and not for profit basis. Our help may be easy and only require a meeting address or a letter of support to prospective funders, but this support is essential to the credibility of these organisations and shows we are working together as a community.</p><p>Council also supports the community as a whole to address and resolve issues in which it does not necessarily have a direct responsibility. The old hospital is one such case and although it is in private ownership, we are communicating with the owner, the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and Occupational Safety and Health in an attempt to make the buildings and site safe and less of an eyesore. Of course ideally we would like to see this site developed for the greater good. Another community project is the new Community Marae, where Council has offered to support the process and oversee finances and fundraising – without directly running the project.</p><p>This we undertake without a direct impact on the rate payer. By helping the community in any way we can (and without any impact on rates), we as Council acknowledge the voice of our citizens that our community is certainly more than rates, rubbish, and rats.</p><p>Trish Giddens <br />Mayor</p> Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:09:00 +1300 http://www.chbdc.govt.nz/more-than-rates-rubbish-and-rats/