Citywide Issues & Options
Tuesday, 25 January 2005
► Consultation
Change in attitude to one of ‘what ideas do you have for making Palmerston North a place you can be proud to be part of.
A change in attitude to one of ‘we’ll help the community to decide among ideas’ (by working with idea-generating people/groups to communicate the ideas, and with the community to identify the pros and cons of each idea and ultimately to select ideas for putting into effect).
A change in attitude to one of ‘how can the chosen ideas be made into reality as a community’.
Meaningful consultation, without predetermination.
► What are the clear pictures over all: i.e. units within Council:
City Networks - are the infrastructure
City Enterprise - are the doing
City Future - are the planning, environment
City Contact - are the service delivery
Tell the public what they do:
- Square Circular.
- Who’s responsible for what, including Councillors.
Communication and feedback, back to the Community.
Spin Doctoring - less about rates, more honesty/anything i.e. City Heart.
Information re. future works and communication to Ward Committees
Current Council reign in the “Bureaucracy”.
Public has not had informed choice/options.
► LTCCP:
What outcomes the Council will deliver to the Community.
Why are we considering changing rates system.
What do ratepayers expect to be funded by rates.
What is going to be funded.
What do you want funded.
Lobby for Central Government monies.
Civil defence - abandonment of Citizens Volunteers defence.
How do you get something into the Annual Plan when it is not already in the Draft?
Brought forward 10% of expenditure from previous year with no discussion.
► Lack of fit Committee structure
Rearrange seating for Council so they do not have their backs to the Public.
Retain Ward Committees.
Ward Committees should be held in different locations throughout the Ward.
Global Options
Transparency, honesty and information.
Inter-relationship of Unit structures.
Real minutes and recorded votes available and a record of how people voted (all meetings).
“Named” - whomever ‘said’ name the ‘person’.
Before every Council meeting 1½ hour session for public question time, e.g. Wellington Council.
When a decision is made are all aspects being considered i.e. from child/teen/adult?
Clear way of recording the issues of the public.
Advocate on issues - not silence people.
What options are available for immigrants through Council activities/volunteer work.
Elections - how we vote - presently FPP.
Pensioners’ Housing - Trust by Council - ‘but run by community’.
Consider the report of Ward Committee without the Management report to go with it, as it is felt that this overrides the original Ward Committee report, and boundaries reflect communities interested, e.g. schools etc.
System seems to dictate what the outcome will be.
Present Council move ahead with present Mayor and Council - don’t look back, look forward and be realistic.
A divided Council will not get ahead.
Entrance to C.A.B. needs to be staffed.
Decentralisation of Customer Service Centre is a good idea.
Awapuni branch/service centre pilot.
PNCC website needs all order papers available.
Website - investigate methods for improving access to all Council documents (e.g. workshops).
Community Boards - valid option.
Points of today can go into the Draft Annual Plan.
