Roading maintenance is continuing and it is fair to say that it has been challenging for Oldfields with the heavy snowfalls they have had to deal with and cleaning up an extensive diesel spill on the road. Large swells caused damage to coastal roads at Tora and Mangatoetoe. Oldfields carried out repairs and replaced missing rocks and boulders to protect the road.
I attended a Special Library Event with Shirley our Head Librarian and Cr Mike Gray and Mark Allingham Group Manager Infrastructure and Services. We were treated to excellent speakers
delivering a range of coordinated messages. Libraries are not fusty and quiet these days and the librarians are out there trying to add value to their libraries for the public by offering as many services and types of books be it in the hand or online.
We had a professional fundraiser specialising in Future Leisure Planning speak about the reality of developing an effective and integrated funding strategy and having a Vision Plan looking at libraries becoming an important part of Leisure Hubs. The Key speaker came from Manchester City UK. Ms Nicky Parker is Head of Transformation for all City Council Services.
She gave an inspiring delivery on achieving 19 libraries at no cost to Council and how libraries have become the vehicle for delivering a range of public sector services (we already do this to a lesser degree), and are now referred to as Community Hubs. More food for thought. ?
Julie Riddell
Important issues people should be aware of
Council is in the process of extending and changing the current Featherston Liquor Control Bylaw to the South Wairarapa Liquor Control Bylaw so that temporary bans may be imposed in any part of the district. Businesses involved in the sale of liquor, Event Organisers and interested people should peruse the Draft Bylaw to insure that the bylaw is both justified and reasonable. This will be advertised but if missed you can contact the Council office for details.
Pain farm discussion article is in this edition of the Star please read and put your thoughts into a submission, Council wants your views. You may find my last month’s article in the Star regarding George Pain’s bequeath of interest.
Martinborough Town Hall; There will be an options/discussion leaflet in the next rate demand mailed out mid- October. The purpose is to get as many people to a public meeting in early November to look at options and give Council some indication of a way forward. Whilst time may appear on our side Council’s Long Term Plan (every 3 years) will be adopted May next year. A project like the Town Hall will require a lot of planning so sooner the process is started and outcome known we can get on with the job.
This year is proving to be a busy one, Council has started compiling the LTP (Long Term Plan, was called LTCCP until Rodney became Minister of LG) this pretty much indicates Councils service delivery, income and expenditure, outlines capital and rating requirements for the next 10 years. Council is also reviewing its Funding Policy this determines the various mechanisms of how the rates are apportioned. Both LTP and Funding Policy will be subject to scrutiny by way of public consultation. All fairly bland and boring but essential for good governance of our assets!
Max Stevens
