What a week!

I worked on Monday morning, leaving just in time to race off to the Kingsgate Hotel for the Local Government New Zealand Elected Members Training which started at midday. I was disappointed to see so few of our councillors there, especially as there have been many regulatory changes in the last three years.

Some of the topics covered were:
“Local Government in New Zealand” - key elements of the NZ local government model, and an overview of the new Local Government Act (purpose, principles & sustainable development) and structures such as community boards and council controlled organisations.
And, “How to be an Effective Elected Member” - governance, representation and relationships with the Chief Executive.
There were sessions on economic development, including case studies, on rating and whether there are alternatives to our current rating systems (very topical when one considers PNCC is undertaking a Rating Review - if councillors had attended we would not have needed one of the workshops), and on how local government is affected by changes to regulations such as the new Building Act ( a 40% increase in the cost of new buildings?).

Dinner started at 7pm and while Phil Etheridge managed to get his meal, Alison Wall and I had ours put aside, and we all raced to the council chamber for the Extraordinary Environmental Well-Being Committee meeting (yes, meetings were scheduled to clash with the LGNZ Training!).
Meeting concluded, and we were back to the Kingsgate in time to hear at least part of the dinner speech. The Kingsgate chef did an excellent job in keeping our meals fresh and although it made for a late night it was good to spend time mixing and mingling with other councillors from around the country.
At 8.30am Tuesday, I was back for the second day of the LGNZ Training. More really good speakers and very useful information.
Then it was home for a quick meal before heading out for a 7pm meeting in town. I was finally home at 10pm and able to relax before the next meeting marathon.

Wednesday 9.30am and I was back at the CAB for a Local Government meeting. This meeting saw 50 elected members from the Zone 3 region (which covers a large area across the central and lower North Island) getting together to receive updates on issues facing local government and to network and discuss these issues. The speakers yesterday included the Hon. Dr. Nick Smith, the National Party Local Government spokesperson, and later in the day the Minister for Local Government, Chris Carter.
This meeting concluded shortly after 3pm which gave me just enough time to whip home for some warmer clothing before heading back for a council workshop at 4.30pm.
This workshop was still in progress at 7.30pm, at which stage I had to leave for the JP Association AGM.
Whew! I finally got home soon after 10.30pm.

Today should have been spent working, after all, I have not done much in the way of work all week (apart from council-related work that is!) but I awoke in the early hours with a bad dose of food poisoning. Not a nice day at all!
Tomorrow (Friday 12th) I am attending a Resource Management Hearing from 10am till 2pm and at 4pm I will be attending the NZ Institute of Architects Local Awards function on behalf of the Mayor.
Anybody who thinks being on council only requires a part-time commitment needs to think again!