It is looking like another busy month ahead as we work towards the Annual Plan for 2022-2023 year and all that is involved in setting the budgets, costings and rates for the 2022 to 2023 year ahead.
At the recent Planning & Regulatory meeting we discussed the proposed Joint Review for Wairarapa Rangatahi Strategy. Rangatahi/Youth (12-24 year olds) are valued members of our community and as such South Wairarapa District Council are committed to ensuring that they have opportunities to positively participate in Council and community affairs, and are supported to reach their full potential.
The proposed Wairarapa Rangatahi/Youth Strategy is a new strategy for the South Wairarapa District Council, which would create a common vision and set mutual goals/priorities to progress youth development outcomes for the South Wairarapa region.
The current strategy was developed in 2016 by Masterton & Carterton District Councils, a copy of this is available on https://mstn.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Wairarapa-Rangatahi-Strategy.pdf and this joint review will enable SWDC to join with the other councils to have a single strategy across the whole region.
The review presents an opportunity for us to:
- Grow awareness and understanding for rangatahi/youth priorities and aspirations for the community.
- Support positive outcomes for rangatahi/youth
- Build effective relationships and partnerships around youth development and aspirations in our community and set clear goals across the three councils.
- Be action orientated and strengthen accountability and information relating to goals and outcomes identified as a result of engagement with youth.
The Council’s commitment to tamariki and rangatahi wellbeing is recognized through Council’s contract with Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and in our commitment of $75,000 community and partnership grants funding towards youth development and planned initiatives such as the development of a skate park in Greytown.
The focus on youth is consistent with the South Wairarapa Strategic Framework and connects strongly to our social wellbeing and cultural wellbeing outcomes.
At todays Council meeting we approved the proposed review approach and this will enable the South Wairarapa District Council to increase its current commitment to supporting the provision of a new regional lens on rangatahi development needs, and supports greater awareness of strengthening
rangatahi voice, wellbeing and participation in civic affairs.
It is anticipated that the timeframe for consultation, workshops and the adoption of the revised Strategy, Action Plan and Implementation Plans will be completed by September 2022.
Council meetings for March that I will be attending
Wednesday 9th March Planning & Regulatory
Assets & Services
Wednesday 16th Future of Local Government Panel
Council – Annual Plan
Monday 21st Shared Services Workshop
Wednesday 23rd Combined Council Forum
Council workshop re Annual Plan
Wednesday 30th Finance, Audit & Risk
As we get towards the end of the month, we all need to remind ourselves that Daylight Saving ends on Sunday 3rd April and to put our clocks back one hour, I personally will miss both the early mornings and the long evenings we have been able to enjoy over the summer months.
Take care, be safe and enjoy the month ahead.
. 027441489 pam.colenso@swdc.govt.nz
