It’s official, we have a new Mayor, Alex Beijen. The Mayor, Councillors and Community Board Members were sworn in at a ceremony on 30 October at the Waihinga Centre. There is no change to the Councillors elected from the Martinborough Ward – Pip Maynard, Pam Colenso and Brian Jephson (Jeppy) held on to their seats, although Daphne Geisler came close.
There is an entirely new Martinborough Community Board in the form of Nathan Fenwick, Mel Maynard, Aidan Ellims and Michael Honey.
Mayor Alex Beijen says, I am delighted with the Councillors and Community Board Members elected by the Martinborough Ward. I know they will serve the district well with a good balance of experience, talent and renewed enthusiasm.
“Now we are sworn in, I have begun the process of making council meetings more publically accessible via online video, and working with the Chief Executive to ensure the culture of the Council is moving towards a more collaborative approach with ratepayers.
“We will be focusing on waste, wastewater and drinking water and will report back to the community regularly on progress in these areas.”
The newly elected mayor plans to hold weekly meetings in all three towns together with local ward councillors to make Council more accessible to ratepayers and give them the opportunity to share their views. Initially, these will be held in Martinborough every Thursday 8am to 9.30am at the Council offices.
