The Porirua Wellington Web Blog

Maryan Street: It's your defence of people that's making us shake our heads. And this is a surprise!

RODNEY HIDE: Who is this member? I have never heard a contribution quite like it. It is true, contrary to what New Zealand First members might be asserting, that there are people in every electorate in this country who are struggling. I was rung up last week by a Roger Beauchamp. He has been hit. He is a pensioner who has lived in his house since 1960-it is a family home. This story is repeated up and down New Zealand. He has been hit with a rates demand of $2,800. I say to Mr Donnelly that it is true that Mr Beauchamp does not live in Epsom, but he is getting hit with rates of $2,800 and he cannot afford it. Mr Beauchamp asked me what he gets from the Porirua City Council that is worth $2,800 in a year. The answer is not much.

So he went to the council and said: "I can't afford this." Do members know what he was told by the caring people in local government, which is supported by the Labour Party and now New Zealand First? He was told to sell his House if he could not afford his rates.

Even the Sheriff of Nottingham did not do that to the peasants. But this Labour Government, in association with New Zealand First, expects pensioners to have to sell their houses to pump up local government so it can have its flash offices and build its monuments while the poor people of New Zealand lose their family homes.

RODNEY HIDE: No, it is not, but I will tell the member what it will do. It will stop them going up at more than plus 2 percent inflation a year, and that has to be a good start. Why are New Zealand First members going around supporting rates increases of 10 percent and 20 percent a year-which New Zealand First's own supporters cannot afford and are complaining about to them-and saying: "We don't care."? Why does New Zealand First not care? Because it has the baubles of office. Members should think about the inequity of this situation-they can look it up. Helen Clark's rates as Prime Minister are $1,600 for the year. The rates of this poor pensioner in Porirua City are $2,800. Where is the equity and fairness in that situation, which this Labour Government with New Zealand First is defending?

Mark Blumsky: She doesn't pay rates for the one she lives in up in Thorndon, either.

capitalism works, according to a blog reader

Investment bank Goldman Sachs rewarded its chief executive Lloyd Blankfein with a bonus of $53.4 million this week. Blankfein, who became the firm’s CEO in June 2006, received $27.3 million in cash and the rest in stock and options.

Aside from Blankfein, 11 other Goldman Sachs executives will be given a total of more than $150 million in bonuses this year. Co-presidents Gary Cohn and Jon Winkelried were awarded $25.7 million in bonuses each. The firm’s chief financial officer, David Viniar, received a $19.1 million bonus; Suzanne Nora Johnson, a vice chairman, $15.4 million; John Weinberg, also a vice chairman, $15.1 million; Chief Administrative Officer Edward Forst, $16.5 million; co-general counsels Gregory Palm and Esta Stecher, $8.96 million and $8.29 million, respectively. Three other company officials received smaller amounts.

"What Christmas means for some while other Americans languish in Iraq"
r
Saturday, December 23, 2006

removal of the canopies

The consultants' idea that we now pull down the canopies in the city centre, when we have only just finished paying the $5 million for them, is unlikely to meet with public approval.
r
Tuesday, December 19, 2006

ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE PORIRUA CITY COUNCIL

city centre development concerns

Dear Euon, Ken, Robert, John, Roger and Matt,

A number of representatives of the RAs attended the briefing meeting on the Kobus Mentz proposals for the city centre revitalisation plan. Since then we have been communicating and I have been asked to let you know our collective thoughts on issues raised from that briefing. We thank you for being given this oppertunity to engage in the planning process at an early stage. We don't want to appear destructive of the proposals presented by Kobus and there was some very good ideas presented. For example the pedestrian access to the northern end of the North City Plaza, better pedestrian access to the station, and the idea of a partially dammed waterfront was interesting (eg a second Aotea Lagoon) but cost may be prohibitive. We also see the need to disguise the somewhat overpowering 14m S&EC wall facing the park. The move towards some inner city apartment development would also help to bring life and security to the area. They would be well placed for rail and road to Wellington and offer a good alternative to apartments in Wellington itself. However the following aspects are somewhat worrying and perhaps need reassessing

. The removal of the canopies would seem a retrograde step. Currently, it is possible to move about the main shopping area in inclement weather without getting wet. The North City Plaza, PO, Council Offices, cafes etc can all be reached from a covered car park without needing rain protection. The economic rationale was weak for taking such a step. Perhaps we should think more about some form of side protection to reduce wind tunnel effects. Opening up more traffic access ways into Cobham Court would cut across the secure and child safe pedestrian precinct and lead to more congestion in the court itself. It is one of the features that we agree makes Porirua attractive for local shopping. Separating cars from people seems a wise course and remixing them would provide no real benefit. Better route signage would be preferable. Parallel parking may suit the better drivers but many people find it more difficult and much prefers angle parking. Backing out of an angle park is no more of a hazard or obstruction to traffic flow than people backing into a parallel park. At least the traffic moving forward has right of way whereas traffic stopping to back into a park will hold up traffic regardless of right of way. Angle parking also gets more cars into the parking space.
The Te Rauparaha Park proposals were a revelation. Kobus was clearly worried about the daunting visual impact of 14m high blank wall created by the S&EC to the west of the park. This has set some of us discussing what this will be like viewed from the useability of what remains of city's central green space.

While standing in the park the visual scenery of the western hills will be lost Two hours before sunset the shadow cast by the S&EC will extend about 30m into the park and, by one hour before sunset, twice that distance. This will be even worse in spring and autumn. The early evening is the time when the park is used most for events and the early shadow will make the venue cold and less pleasant. The intent that it will create shelter from the wind may be less real than we believe. It is more likely to create turbulence, gusts and down draughts A blank wall of those dimensions is extremely unattractive and will require some extensive screening. It could well become a 'white board' for graffiti artists. 14m tall trees take time to grow and take up space in what remains of the park and ultimately exacerbates the shading problem. It also costs money to plant trees of a size to make a difference in the shorter term acceptable.
Kobus also thought that commercial access was necessary from Titahi Bay Road. We should not ignore that advice and it makes sense. This requires more cash and could raise other traffic safety and reserve issues.

We consider Item 4 above questions the desirability of the chosen location for the S&EC. It is not too late to rethink the advisability of this siting. We will have to live with the consequences for many years to come and some second thoughts now would be prudent and we are not sure there is money in the S&EC budget for this. The Kobus solution, with boutique shops and a tree line walkway in front of the wall, would take up even more useable space in the park and that may not be acceptable. An idea has been canvassed in the group. That is of Cobham Court becoming a park. Kobus suggested a part of it being used as a small inner park but if the whole area was a pedestrian space it would be very attractive and add to the pedestrian precinct concept we currently enjoy. This, of course, would require more car parking elsewhere. The petrol station opposite is quite out of place and should never have been approved. Perhaps, that may offer alternative use or another parking building in another location. Such a concept would indeed make it the social centre of Porirua for young and old to circulate and enjoy this open but dynamic space. We thoroughly support a city planning process but we have seen many plans presented by various consultants only to be overcome by the next 'vision' (roads closed and reopened, changing site for S&EC, beautification proposals shelved, traffic plans superseded etc). We have to recognise that we start from what we have and not from what we would have liked it to be. We also have to recognise the sort of city Porirua is. It are not a stand alone city but part of a regional complex and Porirua is really a collection of dormitory and satellite villages and the CBD (so called) is not the 'heart' of greater Porirua. That might be Wellington City for many and many more would see their own village areas more important to them than the CBD. That is not to say we should not try to make the city as attractive and user friendly as possible within our limited means and against other priority needs.Jim D
Monday, December 18, 2006

local government in porirua city since colonisation

1840 - The New Zealand Company, which founded Wellington at Port Nicholson, sold the original colonists a "Constitution", complete with an annually elected council. This alternative local government preceded by some nine months the formal proclamation of British sovereignty over New Zealand. It's council had uppity ideas and in June 1840 Hobson despatched an armed force to disband this "illegal and treasonable" body. Hobson's instinct was to wait until the inflow of numbers and wealth sufficiently reduced the glaring disparity between the ideal and the feasible. In late 1841 he was overridden by his superiors in London.

1842 - There was introduced and passed through the Legislative Council the Municipal Corporations Ordinance, the founding document of New Zealand local government. Any district reaching a population of 2000 (Wellington was the only one) was to be proclaimed a borough. A council elected would have the power to rate and the obligation to provide roading, wells, sewers and gaols and to prevent fires and nuisances. An election of a council in Wellington took place in October 1842. It became the first duly constituted local body in the colony.

1845 - The Public Roads and Works Ordinance came into being which allowed a petition from a majority of electors to bring into being commissioners empowered through the levying of a rate to construct roads, bridges, waterworks and markets. The arrangement was intended to complement a future network of boroughs rather than substitute for them.

1849 - The Town Roads and Streets Ordinance and the Country Roads Ordinance were passed which allowed elected town boards to impose rates for the upkeep of streets and quays.

1852 - The House of Commons set in train six provincial councils. The provincial legislatures were to be substitutes for municipalities with the right to make all laws for the peace, order and good government of their districts.

1854 - Wellington Province was gifted a roads ordinance but Wellington town itself subsisted until 1862 on an ad hoc arrangement whereby small committees of civic-spirited citizens solicited donations for improvements.
Local Government in the Porirua basin had its origins when the Porirua Road Board was gazetted on 1 June 1854. On Saturday, the 20th September 1856 the first meeting of electors under the District Highway Act for the Porirua Road District was held at Halfway House at 1.00pm. The wardens elected on that day are shown in Members of Boards and Councils.

1864 - The Takapu Road District was defined on 7th November 1864 and an election of wardens was held at the house of Joseph Roots, Porirua Road and thereafter elections of wardens were conducted annually, Members of Boards and Councils.

1872 - Wellington Highway District Board (Hutt County) was in control of the district and those elected, Members of Boards and Councils, remained in control until the Makara and Porirua Ridings were to become part of the Karori-Makara Highway Board.

1876 - The elections for the Kaori-Makara Highway Board were conducted the results of which are shown Members of Boards and Councils. This year was also of major importance with the abolition of the provinces and constitution of County Local Government under the Counties Act 1876. At that time the whole district, which we currently know as Wellington Region, (with the exception of Wellington Town and Petone Borough) were located in the County of Hutt and that was the case until 1907 when by the Makara County Act, the Porirua and Makara Ridings of the Hutt County were separated from that County to become Makara County, the first election being held on 28th January 1908. There were no major constitutional changes in Makara County until 1951 when the Tawa District was taken out of County control and constituted as a Town Board, holding it's first election on 26th May 1951. Tawa was granted Borough status in October 1952.

1962 - The County of Makara was abolished on 31st August 1962 and the Borough of Porirua constituted the next day.

1965 - On 2nd October 1965 City status was conferred on the former Borough at a public function, by His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Ferguson becoming the twenty-first city of New Zealand. The transition from borough to city has never been achieved by any other area in the country and highlighted what rapid strides of development had taken place.

The election results of the Makara County, Porirua Borough and Porirua City are listed in Members of Boards and Councils.

Superimposed over the Local Governance structure were elected bodies granted powers under the Underground Water Act who were granted dispensations from any By-laws and the authority to make bylaws for water supply. The first of these was the Wellington City Council Water Supply Committee, which was set up in September 1870. The City and Suburban water Supply Board first met in February 1928. This board was raised when local authorities in Lower Hutt/Hutt County were seeking additional supplies and the high incidence of goitre aroused their concern about the effect of the low iodine content of their artesian supplies. Hutt County and Makara County were without any public supply except for a small local catchment serving the asylum property in Porirua.

In February 1946, the Board resolved to extend the suburban area, as defined in the Wellington City and Suburban water Supply Act, 1927, by including the whole of the Johnsonville Town District, while Makara County joined the Board under the provisions of the Wellington City and Suburban Water Supply Amendment Act, 1947. Legislative authority was obtained to give the newly constituted Tawa Flat Town District full membership on the Board.

In the mid 1940s the development of the upper reaches of the Hutt River to supply water to consumers was agreed to by all local authority with the work being vested in the Hutt River Board which had been established in 1899. Water to Plimmerton and Paremata was being delivered by pipeline by 1957.

1959 - An authority was set up to safeguard the artesian supplies. The Hutt Valley Underground Water Authority (HVUWA) was established to "…..control the tapping, use and pollution of underground water". Members of this authority were appointed by Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Wellington City Councils, Eastbourne and Petone Borough Councils and Hutt County Council.

1967 - Water and Soil Conservation Act was passed which required the water resources of the country to be administered by a number of Regional Water Authorirites. This power in the Wellington Region was originally vested in HVUWA.

new rule - what does it mean?

Now I have reviewed the new Standing Order for public participation at full council meetings. Incredible is it! One person can evidently speak for 30 minutes at the start of any council meeting.

127. A period of up to 30 minutes will be set aside for a public forum at the commencement of Council meetings. The public forum is to be confined to those items that are on the agenda for consideration at that meeting, provided the meeting is not sub-judice.

The term "sub-judice" is used. What does that mean? It is the hyphen that causes the interest first. Then it is what the term might mean in its context.

I quote from the Oxford English Dictionary: sub judice , ‘under a judge’; under the consideration of a judge or court; undecided, not yet settled, still under consideration.

Standing Order 127 seems to be saying that the public must speak about things that are under consideration, and then go on to say that they must not speak about things that are under consideration.

The idea when the policy was struck was that the 30 minutes time frame would be fixed for very good reason. Now the new Standing Orders include a "General" section which one would expect to apply to the Council meetings. This allows for the Councillors to question the participants at the public forum. That was not envisaged with respect to the full council meetings. What was to have been brief statements without discussion has suddenly become much more.

We still have the horrid Standing Order 132. It enables "delegations" to gain a total of 12 minutes to address full council or committees, but individual persons to have only 5 minutes. Why are the topics of delegations more important than those of individuals?

It is vital that the council sorts itself out properly. The rules need to be clear, logical, facilitating, and in plain language. Do not expect the meetings to go well until this is done. Even then you need a good chairperson to hold everyone to the rules.
r
Saturday, December 16, 2006

new standing orders

It did not take the council's officers long to print the new Standing Orders. The slight irregularity in their adoption does not seem to worry anyone.
r
Friday, December 15, 2006

chief executive's process on the rates enquiry and local authority funding

The ceo is consulting the community to equip himself to provide advice to the Council. Who he consults and how he does it is his business. I prefer to stay right out of it.

newspaper story misleads - takapuwahia

The story in the Kapi Mana News about the cost of drains at Takapuwahia has confused some people. The work being done in the current financial year is to cost more than expected, and this money comes from savings on the Eastern Porirua Trunk upgrade project. The second part of the Takapuwhaia project will be considered in the Annual Plan. Thus, there will be further consultation on the project.The idea that there has been a great blow out in the Council's budget is just wrong.
r
Friday, December 15, 2006

a right mayoral mess - trying to change the standing orders

There was total confusion when the full council tried to adopt a change to the Standing Orders as per the recommendation from the Strategy Committee. The mayor wanted to remove all reference to the Standing Orders that pertain to committees, and suggested a clumsy amendment along those lines. She had arranged for the deputy mayor to move this amendment. Councillors all objected because they could not understand the amendment and the mayor was unable to adequately explain it. Hence, after some heated debate with Cr Kelly the mayor said she would try another amendment. She said all words after the word "meeting" would be removed. The only problem with this was the word "meeting" appeared twice in the motion. More confusion.

In the course of all of this it became clear that the reference to the committee in the original motion was in the view of the officers related to certain matters about the publics notification of their desire to speak. But, that is not what the motion itself said.

The mayor then put the motion. She did this suddenly without discussion of the need for a three-quarters majority to change Standing Orders. I had mentioned this need to her, but to no avail. Hence, she did not call for a division. Hence, we do not know if the motion had a three-quarters majority, and as some voted against it, it may well not have done so. We needed to put the motion again as a "division" and hence to record the vote. I moved a "point of order" to suggest that we immediately had a division and resolve the matter. The mayor refused to hear a point of order (contrary to the Standing Orders). Hence, we are left with a motion which some will say changes the Standing Orders and which most likely does not. If the officers of the council now attempt to implement that motion they will be acting ultra vires (beyond their powers). You might find amusement in this farce, but reflect that it costs the ratepayers' money and generates frustration and tensions within the council.

The Christmas supper after the meeting was a very low key affair and only two officers appeared. Most left very quickly, including myself.
r
Thursday, December 14, 2006

alteration of standing orders - public access to meetings

To Whom It May Concern

The last minute report of the CEO to the SFR Committee 30 November
recommended up to 30 minutes of public participation at the start of both
full Council and Committee meetings.
That is now the recommendation for adoption by full Council tomorrow.

A condition applied to full Council meetings (that it only be with regard to
Agenda items) is understandable.

However that same condition is proposed for Committee meetings as well.
Why ?

The NZ Standard 9202 reads:
"In respect of local authority, committee and subcommittee meetings, the
public forum is to be confined to THOSE ITEMS WITHIN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE
OF THAT MEETING, .........." (my emphasis).

This is the rule normally applied by all Porirua's neighbours.

But Porirua is proposing
"public forum is to be confined to THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA FOR
CONSIDERATION AT THE MEETING"

So why this change in wording?
Why this limitation?
Why is Porirua proposing to still muzzle the public on any other concerns
within the purview of that committee?
(Suppose the public had things which the committee may then want to
consider? Maybe with urgency?)

Is this an oversight?
Or have we still got a council reluctant to engage the public?

Graeme Ebbett
Chairman
Titahi Bay Residents Assn Inc
C/- 37 Terrace Rd, Titahi Bay, Porirua.
Work Ph 568 6377, Fx 568 2374
Home Ph 236 8574, Fx 236 8591

ROBERT COMMENTS
Hi Graeme

The situation for the committees should not be changed in my opinion,
unless it is to make two opportunities for public participation. One
being to comment on decisions about to be made and to be at the start
of the meeting; the second to be to comment on anything that is vaguely
council business (new things) that to be a separate and new part of
general business. There are two separate reasons for the public to
approach the council. They should be put in their proper place in the
Standing Orders order of business.

I find the current plan a bit confusing regarding the committee. What
we are doing so far is agreeing the matter in principle, and it is my
expectation that the ceo will come back with proposed wordings for the
Standing Orders.

All this seems to be progress. Then next important thing in this area
is the access of the public to workshops. Perhaps you and the others
need to be tossed out of a workshop to advance that reform.

regards

r

ps - "terms of reference of that meeting" is a difficult idea.

rats

Rats are on the increase at Battle Hill Farm Forest Park. This is the result of the successful campaign to remove stoats.
r
Tuesday, December 5, 2006

new zealand law - people keep asking me questions i cannot answer

A New Zealand self help legal site presented in a HowTo... format. You may also seek advice from lawyers or accountants throughout NZ.

christopher returns from iraq

This is at Southport, and the Duke of Westminster presented the medals. As his mother wrote " He talked a little of what he'd seen and done, didn't sound like fun and he's seen things nobody should be exposed to".
r
Tuesday, December 5, 2006

esplanade review

Porirua City Council, Transit New Zealand, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Land Transport New Zealand are to work together to review the upgrade of the road between Plimmerton and Paremata, including the T2 lanes along Mana Esplanade, and St Andrews Road.

The review, agreed to today by the councils and Transit, will look at the operation of the road, the environmental effects, and the safety and efficiency of the work to see whether any changes are necessary. The review was a requirement of the Environment Court ruling that approved the designations on the road, which also created the T2 lanes. As construction work on Transmission Gully has not yet begun, the review must be carried out before the end of December this year. Transit has already collected information about the road capacity and traffic flow, safety on the road, and the operation of the T2 lanes.

However, Porirua City Council Chief Executive, Roger Blakeley, said it is essential that any evaluation of the road from Mana Esplanade to St Andrews Road has to include the views of residents. "The residents' perception of the safety must be taken into account," Dr Blakeley said. "Two important issues to consider are why so few vehicles are parked along Mana Esplanade, and whether residents feel safe entering and leaving properties onto the highway. "One of the reasons the Environment Court introduced the T2 lanes was to move trucks and other vehicles into the centre lane outside peak hours in order to reduce noise and vibration in the houses along the road. The evaluation of any options has to take account of this. "The Environment Court decision clearly did not envisage the road becoming a four land highway." Dr Blakeley said the current data is incomplete and, without the views of residents, cannot form the basis for any recommendations for the road.

Council City Services Committee chair, Robert Shaw, said this is the start of a difficult process that is going to impose stress on the community. "The immediate task is for [Transit Wellington Regional Manager] Graham Taylor and Dr Blakeley to produce for us the terms of reference for the investigation, a proposal for a consultant, costings, and a time-line for decision-making. The committee of representatives will then discuss these things and work will begin."

"I am pleased that it was agreed that the Porirua City Council will be a party in the management of the process.

"We must, however, keep in mind, that the road belongs to Transit New Zealand. At this time they approach the project with an open mind and an awareness of the complexity of the decisions they must ultimately make," Councillor Shaw said.

The review will also consider side road and pedestrian delays at Marina View intersection and for properties south of Pascoe Avenue to see if any modifications are required at these intersections, or whether more research is needed.

melissa & your $17.5 million

My daughter had her last exam yesterday. It was Melissa's last day of school and she is at Tawa College, having been at St Mary's for the previous 4 years. Both schools did very well by Melissa. Teachers are dedicated people. Melissa discovered the joy of academic work about 5 weeks before the examinations and has been doing her best to make up for 5 years of social activity and no study. The plan is that she goes to Victoria.

To recover, we went for a swim. In the sauna I heard two women talking about Palmertson North. It is evidently a great place for sport. They love their sport up there. What is more it has a good effect on the children and keeps them out of trouble. I was thus reminded of why we are building the sports and events centre. It must cater for as many of our young people as possible.

Then a chap in the sauna began to chat to me. He came from Titahi Bay. We talked about rugby and children as men do. I decided to ask him about the sports and events centre. A survey of one. He said two things: it is expensive; we have to advance and have these things. That pretty much sums up the overall feeling in the community, if I read it right. Most people are not engaged in the debate with their city council. You have to mix with a range of people to get the feel of opinion. The same arugments were extant when the Council built the swimming pool complex. I voted to spend the $6 million from Enegry Direct shares on the laying off of debt, not on the swimming pool complex. And here I was sitting in it yesterday.

Incidentally, take care what you say in public saunas - you might be making Council policy.
r
Wednesday, November 29, 2006

clarity on speed humps at plimmerton

Robert and John 

Re your emails.

Russell Black is proposing a 50 mm rise. That is what we are talking about.
It is not "speed humps" which is the term that seems to have scared people.
We are talking about the same thing as Russell  Black-it is just a question
of how high the rise and how many km/hr is an acceptable speed environment. 

The consultation on Saturday is over concept plans for the Plimmerton
Promenade produced by Russell Black. These drawings contain 50mm threshold
treatment. Russell's drawings are concept drawings. These have been reviewed
to identify issues that will need to be considered in developing the
detailed drawings and specification for construction. The report of this
review has identified that the threshold heights would need to be raised
from 50mm to 75mm and the ramps up to them steepened to have confidence that
a 30km/hr speed environment was achieved.

The advice that will be given by officers at this consultation is that the
threshold NOT be increased or the ramps steepened because this would create
too severe an environment and would quickly lead to requests for their
removal. However, in accepting this recommendation the community needs to
accept that a 30km/hr speed environment will not be achieved. Council
Officers will try to get some data on current traffic speeds before Saturday
as I expect this will assist acceptance that a 30km/hr speed environment
will not be achieved. 

It is expected that the contracts for this would will be within the CE's
delegation as the work will be broken down in three or four sections to
enable early starts to be made on sections while details are being completed
for others, and ensure the contract packages match the trade skills required
for the different components.

I hope this helps.

Regards, Roger
Roger Blakeley

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

porirua consultation meeting - transport strategy

Public consultation meetings on Regional Land Transport Strategy – Planning for the future of our transport network
Greater Wellington is inviting people to have their say on the future of the region’s transport network with the release of the Draft Wellington Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) this week.
The draft RLTS is a key planning document that sets the direction for our land transport network for the next ten years and beyond. It outlines Greater Wellington’s long-term vision and the objectives and policies that guide regional transport decisions, together with implementation plans for roading, road safety and encouraging alternatives to car use.
The draft RLTS also proposes transport projects to address congestion and reliability, strengthen connections between regional centres, and build passenger transport capacity.
Also released for consultation alongside the RLTS is the draft Wellington Regional Passenger Transport Plan (PT Plan). The PT Plan sets out Greater Wellington’s framework for delivering passenger transport services in the region.
The PT Plan includes strategies such as improving service levels, easier access to timetable information, better linkages between services (including between buses and trains), and better quality vehicles.

A summary of the draft RLTS and PT Plan has been sent to every household in the region. Submissions close on 16 February 2007.
Public Consultation meetings

specifics on plimmerton village strategy problems

As discussed tonight, this is the concept design review and project plan as sent on Friday.
Cheers
Helen

Dear Helen
PCC have engaged the consultant for the traffic review of the concept design done by Russell Black. The report has been completed and submitted to us. I enclose a copy of the report. The most significant recommendations are highlighted through the text, but it still would be worth to read the whole document.

Please pay special attention to Recommendations, particularly recommendation relating to changes to traffic devices at the intersections.We have planned to engage the consultant for the detailed design as soon as 27th Nov 2006, and have scheduled the section with threshold at railway entrance and two raised intersections (with Bath and Queens St) as the first stage, as we expected any possible feedback from the public consultation on 27th Nov (as originally planned for 25th Nov). However, this consultation meeting has been rescheduled now for 2nd Dec that clashes with our schedule.

We will not be able to obtain required information/feedback from the residents/public on suggested changes of raised intersection, which will consequently affect the design plan. Therefore, I decided to send you a copy of this report with recommendations, and would highly appreciate if you can get yourselves familiar with them and get back to me with your comments on these changes before the consultation meeting, so that we can make a decision relating to this issue, and to instruct the consultant for the detailed design of the intersections.

Also, I sent you a project plan that we have made now. There might be some changes, and we will try to inform you regularly on all updates and/or changes.We've made 4 copies of concept design drawings for your reference before and during the meeting. I'm still expecting some additional drawings from R Black to add to this lot. How would you like to receive these drawings - probably prior to the meeting, by mail or to pick-up personally? Please advise.

I hope to hear from you soon with the comments on suggested changes of the intersection treatments, to enable engagement of the consultant and starting with the detailed design before the consultation meeting.If you would like to contact me, please do not hesitate to do so. My contact details: 237-1413 (ph) or e-mail.

See blog below. Anyone who wants a copy of the plans should email Helen or attend the consultation meeting on Saturday. Although, it is now a bit odd, for the consultation being conducted is about one thing and the Council's action plan seems to be something else.
r

meeting on sports and events centre - outcome

Dear Robert,
I think I have agreement from all about my comments and yes you may "go public" if you would like to.
And thanks to you for your position during that meeting. I think we all got some greater understanding out of it.
Regards
Jim
----- Original Message ----- From: <robert@porirua.net>
To: <jim.dearsly@xtra.co.nz>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: Meeting to discuss S&EC

thanks Jim, is this boggable?
r

On 26 Nov 2006 at 04:31 pm, JIm.Dearsly wrote:

Dear Euon,
On behalf of the Joint Residents' Associations Group, our thanks to you
and, Clrs Ken Douglas and Robert Shaw, Roger Blakeley and Gary Simpson
for meeting with us last Thursday.

We believe it was an informative meeting and clarified the Councils
position and intent. It also enabled the RAs Group to gain some
important insights and assurances about the process, budget and project
definition. We were also pleased to be assured that any significant
deviations from budget or scope would involve public future discussion
and input. These assurances will, no doubt, be recorded in the minutes.
I believe we all feel more comfortable with the position taken to
contain cost and deliver what was specified.

It was requested we should more actively support the S&EC project. This
is a significant step from our current position of 'accepting' the
project in the context of the LTCCP as approved by the Council. As I
explained in the opening remarks at the meeting. Our objection to the
S&EC was related more to the financial repercussions and affect on other
community needs rather than the Centre itself. Our position on that
issue remains unchanged. It also acknowledged that the Council had no
option at present but to implement the LTCCP and there is no point (or
potential for success) in trying to have that amended bearing in mind
the current Council's priorities. The difference of opinion between some
Councillors and residents/ratepayers is something that will be resolved
democratically as ultimately our council representatives will be
answerable to the residents. Clearly governance, participatary
government, fiscal management and engagement with the community are
issues we are concerned about and that will be debated during next years
elections.The decision to construct of the S&EC as currently specified
forms part of those matters and, as such was and is not supported.

I thank all concerned last week for their time and open discussion.

Best regards
Jim

consultation on plimmerton village plan

This Saturday, 11am to 3 pm, Plimmerton Pavilion. See the plans, talk, have your say.

plimmerton residents' association meeting - roads & village plan

Sue Dow, Maureen Gillon and I met with Gary after the last Plimmerton Residents association mtg due to a range of concerns that were presented to the mtg. It seemed to me that Gary had a pretty good take on what was going on and that once a pending traffic study had been undertaken the association and council could move on to the public consultation mtg scheduled for 2/12.

I was somewhat surprised therefore at the feedback given to the mtg following correspondence with Gordana from Utilities. These suggested that; The traffic calming plans prepared for Steyne Ave with the PRA, and due to be presented at the consultation mtg, had been discounted in favour of speed humps.

A consultant had been appointed and had been asked to proceed to prepare plans for their implementation. If this is in fact what is occurring I would question; Why has council not gone back to the association/community and discussed why their proposed traffic calming measures are now being abandoned? Why has a consultant been retained and asked to proceed with the preparation of design plans for speed humps PRIOR to the community consultation mtg? What is the point of a community consultation mtg if PCC is simply going to ignore the work that has been done to develop the village plans to their present point. Who is going to front on behalf of council at the community mtg on Saturday? - not a roading engineer, but someone who knows about the background to village planning and its implementation.

Certainly on the basis of the feedback report to the ass'n this evening something is starting to seriously unravel. I hope there has been some confusion which means the feedback is in fact not correct. Robert was at the mtg tonight however was not fully up to date with the issue - as I was there at the last mtg and had also attended the mtg with Gary, Maureen and Sue it was left to me to follow this one up. Can I please have some urgent advice as to just what is going on here so I can in turn discuss with the PRA.
Councillor John Green.

Cr Green has recorded things as they appeared at the Plimmerton Residents' Association meeting last night.

The idea of speed humps on Steyne Ave is absurd and will cause a riot. I will riot! How a consultant can suddenly produce this plan in the middle of a consultation that is about something else is beyond me. Never in the long debate about traffic calming for Steyne Ave was speed humps endorsed by anyone. The plan is to use other techniques.

Also, the pre-emptive appointment of a consultant to dash off in another direction when Russell Black and about 20 others have worked for over a year on a wonderful plan, is insulting. The final consultation is this Saturday.

I want a senior officer at the residents' association meetings! We have to improve communications and cut back on the number of meetings that are to fix things. The Association should invite the ceo to provide an officer for the next meeting and then work towards the tradition. The officer could be present for the first hour (say).
r
Tuesday, November 28, 2006

next city services committee meeting

Everyone interested in Council business should check out what is on the agenda for the next City Services Committee. If you want to say something about what is proposed please email me. You can submit comments in writing for the meeting, or you can appear in person at the start of the meeting.

You will be able to see the recommendations that I am making to the councillors.(All ready, I know several matters will be challenged by way of amendments.) Your bright ideas and helpful comments are most welcome. At this stage in the process, I have been involved with three private meetings with officers about particular issues, one chairpersons' meeting with all the senior officers together (Cr Naureen Palmer as deputy chair attended also), and several discussions with councillors and groups of councillors about specific matters they have raised with me.

To see the extent to which I have departed from the officers' advice, compare the recommendations they gave with the recommendations I am making to the Committee. You will see quite a difference on some items. I do not simply accept the officers' advice. The debate on some items has already been very fierce. Personally, I enjoy policy debates, and I must say the officers are generally quite enthusiastic. It is through this total process that we arrive at the best possible decisions for our Council and our city. I appreciate the help of everyone, including the residents' associations who often bring long memories and expertise.
r
Saturday, November 25, 2006

First, when you talk to me in my chairperson's role or representative role, it is not for the blog. If you want to have something on the blog that has the advantage of advancing the debate as a whole. However, when you talk to me, or any councillor for that matter, it is understood that you are in a privileged and confidential position.

Second, this sort of information is what I believe council should be sending out in media statements, not the self-congratulatory stuff that is all too common. Yes I will list key items as soon as I have time to do so. The main one in this lot is the Sister Cities Governance structure. The paper about the committee structure is in the Strategy Committee bundle. I will write about that as soon as I have a moment.

Third, there is also the Strategy Committee to consider, and that is chaired by Cr Douglas. He will manage that his own way, which is of course proper. Perhaps he will start a blog, but that has not been mentioned to me.

Forth, if you prefer to telephone in your views that is fine ph 233 0252. Also, you can of course telephone any councillor. They like to hear from the public, particularly with election year ahead. Our council holds a wide range of views and animosities and hence any divergent view will be run by someone.

Fifth, the Takapuwahia drains recommendations are within existing budgets and parameters. Yes, it is largely operational now and over to the officers, but they wanted to have these things in front of the committee, I suspect to protect themselves and to be open with everyone.

Sixth, yes, I am looking for opportunities to delegate management matters to management.

Seventh, I have asked officers for a digitised copy of the memo to councillors concerning St Andrews Rd and Mana Esplanade. I suspect there is follow-up work there, and yes it is the City Services Committee. There is a Transit / Community / Council meeting this week on it. I expect a report from Mr Bailey on this and welcome other comments. If anyone wants to bring anything to the City Services Committee on this they only have to ask.

kenepuru "hospital" - PREPARE YOURSELF FOR ANOTHER FIGHT

· Accident & Medical Centre
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
PRIVATE OPERATOR WHO CHARGES (THIS MAKES A PROFIT)

· Medical Ward (Ward 5)
11am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 8pm daily (no visiting between 1pm and 2.30pm during patient rest time)

· Surgical Medical Unit (SMU)
11am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 8pm daily (no visiting between 1pm and 2.30pm during patient rest time)

gordon mckenzie on taxes & rates

Useful letter in the Kapi Mana News from Gordon McKenzie of Whitby pointing out that the fire service levy is compulsory for those who insure their homes, but those who do not still get the benefits of the fire service. He also runs the tax on a tax argument for GST. He also makes the point that those elderly people who have downsized do not fully benefit from the rates rebate that is now available. Hence, the responsible people are the people who suffer.

Mr McKenzie's main point is that the Council should become a stronger advocate for central government reforms because they have imposed a "significant rates increases for the new sports and events centre".
r
Friday, November 24, 2006

Letter to Kapi Mana News - THE MIGHTY KEN DOUGLAS

THE SKY HAS NOT FALLEN IN AS YET

Like a fool I believe we should respect each other. Our council will work best that way. That does not mean we must all agree, but it does mean we must to stick to the facts. I refer to your correspondent's letter (W Zimmerman, 21 November, 2006). He targets Ken Douglas, who he believes orchestrated the vote not to suspend Standing Orders. As someone who was involved, I can tell you Cr Douglas had nothing to do with it. It is easy to see how Mr Zimmerman may have been misled by the media.

There was a chairperson's meeting arranged by the chief executive which just happened to be in advance of the full council meeting. To this meeting, Mayor Brash brought a new item of business. She said she had decided not to support Jim Dearsly's request that Standing Orders be suspended. We considered the reasons she gave and said we would support the Mayor. When we came to the meeting, the mayor accepted a motion from other councillors on this matter (which is fine) and then she moved a motion to gag us (ie that there be no debate). To use Mr Zimmerman's expression, she "stymied debate", not Cr Douglas.. Hence, there was no opportunity to consider the situation, and no opportunity to explain what was going on to the public who rightly became upset. To top it off, in spite of her asking us for to support her, the mayor actually voted the other way.

I do not usually get involved in postmortems. But this incident shows how we must be careful of the media. One of the reasons I started www.porirua.net was to enable a greater depth of discussion.

Someone might see this letter as evidence that the councillors are in some kind of conspiracy behind closed doors. They might think I am writing it because I am in some way a supplicant to Cr Douglas. Hence, I must add that as often as not Cr Douglas and I are on different sides of issues, he has never voted to support me for any position on council, and the sky has not fallen in as yet.

Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor

now here is a progressive thought

It is usual for councils to move into publicly excluded business when they sign off on tender documents and award contracts. But must they? Given the interest in the Sports and Events Centre, why not consider having the decision-making open to the public. I would personally have no problem with this, but we had better ask a lawyer for an opinion. The law that pertains is complex. Most of the Sports and Events Centre action is the implementation of policy and the responsibility of the chief executive, but there is at least one point where he does not have a sufficient delegation to make the required decision (ie to award a contract of about $12 million.)
r
Thursday, November 23, 2006

less bark and more bite please

COUNCIL MEDIA STATEMENT
After a three year break the New Zealand Kennel Club National Dog Show is
returning to Porirua City next September.
 
The annual event to be staged at the Kennel Club in Prosser Street and at
the Porirua Recreation Centre from 27-30 September 2007, is something the
city can look forward to, says Porirua Deputy Mayor Euon Murrell.  

 "The National Dog Show was held at the New Zealand Kennel Club's exhibition
centre from 1981 to 2003 before the NZKC decided to take it on tour for the
benefit of members who live across the country.

 "Its return next year will not only bring a fun and enjoyable event to
Porirua but it will bring economic benefits of up to $2.4 million as well."

 Economic measures from last year's show in Palmerston North have been used
to estimate future economic benefits, he says.

 "Over 2000 NZ Kennel Club members and their dogs will converge on our city
from all around New Zealand and some from overseas," Mr Murrell says. 

 The NZKC has owned its one hectare property in Prosser Street for 25 years
and provides a Wellington exhibition centre for over 45 dog clubs in the
Wellington region.  

The 2007 National Dog Show will also feature a range of Young Kennel Club
activities. The YKC caters for people involved with dogs aged from six to 24
years. It was established earlier this year to provide activities, events,
training and fun for young people.

What on earth is the council up to with media statements like this? Why should council use your money to advertise the dogs when they fail to tell residents and ratepayers how to be involved with council and how to influence decisions? This weeks Kapi Mana News is a hooch pooch of miss information and confusion, all of which should be addressed by council's media people. Instead, they think their role is to publicise things that happen in the city, like these very nice dogs.
r
Thursday, November 23, 2006

Council must consult properly

22 November 2006
COUNCILLORS must show proper respect to the people who elect them, says the Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents’ Associations.

Federation president Rosemund Averton will this week make a submission to Wellington City Council calling for the establishment of a group to monitor how honest, respectful, timely and fair council is when dealing with the concerns of the community.
The submission to the Strategy and Policy Committee comes as council discusses a Draft Engagement Policy, which outlines appropriate procedures for council consultation with community groups.

Averton says the draft policy is largely aspirational, and a group must be established to monitor whether or not council is meeting its obligations to deal fairly with the community.
"Being honest with citizens means not being dismissive or disparaging of divergent opinions but will also mean that if, for whatever reason, a position has been taken by council that does not reasonably require public input, that will be made clear at the outset along with any explanations of how the decision was reached," Averton says.

Council developed its Draft Engagement Policy in response to complaints that surfaced in the 2005 Residents Satisfaction Survey. The survey found a steep decline in the percentage of residents who felt council was consulting properly.
Nearly half of those surveyed felt council did not consult the community sufficiently, while two-thirds thought council was not adequately incorporating the public’s desires into its decision making.

The new policy aims to increase public confidence in the council’s decision making and encourage more community groups to get involved in the decision making process.

smartlinx 3 - PCC has 10% ownershiip of company

1. How many km of broadband cabling has Smartlinx installed in each of the three cities?

2. How much cabling was installed in each of the three cities in the last 6 months?

Finally, a question about the MED funding. Council resolved to fund the MED funding $1 for $1 up to a capped amount. This is a clear resolution of council. It was never envisaged that Council would pay a share call BEFORE MED had contractually committed. This should have been clear from Smartlinx's application to MED.

The way to deal with this is for Council to provide MED with a letter of undertaking. The letter of undertaking would say that council undertakes to match cash contributions from MED within X working days of Smartlinx receipt of MED funding tranches.

Can Smartlinx negotiate for a letter of undertaking from the council to MED regarding the council contribution?

David Haynes response is:

The answer to both a. and b. is;

approximately 0.02km

Most connectivity is wireless, rolling out fibre optic cable is very expensive and that's what the bulk of the BBC (Broadband Challenge) funding is for.

The above attachment shows the area of current extent of coverage in the three cities of Smartlinx 3's network.

In respect of the last point we are still in contract negotiations and I will continue to try to do the best for all our shareholders.

Rgds

Gary

what councillors do

Phone call: he complains long and loud about his rates and the council. Then he gets onto the councillors themselves. Evidently, they do not do anything and are a very bad lot. I did not comment on the competence of councillors but did comment on the work load. This weekend took 4.5 hours for documents. Also, I opened a carnival for children and sent a barrage of email to officers. The documents were: agenda papers for City Services Committee, discussion paper on new zone (open space and recreation), land transport committee reports from GW, backlog of notice to councillors from the officers. I enjoy the work and the people. But, I admit to being a bit short tempered with the chap who rang up to say I do nothing.
r
Monday, November 20, 2006

plimmerton beach - removal of power poles

There are about 7 of these structures to be removed. There will be an oral report on this to the next City Services Committee. We need to clarify the contractual arrangments and who is responsible for what.
r
Sunday, November 19, 2006

roger bradshaw

For anyone who wondered where he went, I met him and his partner on Friday by accident at the Plaza. Evidently, he shifted to Wellington and immediately stood for the community board there - knowing as it turns out just 10 people. He still has a strong interest in local government and is full of ideas.
r
Saturday, November 18, 2006

reform of council processes - councillors and officers

As a part of the total reform package we need ways to involve the councillors in a proper way in the operational activities of the council. At this moment the councillors have very few opportunities to discover what is going on and how things are actually done. I refer particularly to the works and facilities side of the council (for example, the library, Pataka, depot, landfill, water business).

Officers have been discussing some options. These include invitations to have the councillors sit in on staff meetings. This is not a chance for the councillors to dabble in decision making at the officer level, but a chance to participate in the process and to learn. Hence, at the council table our councillors would be better prepared for the decisions they have to make. A development such as this would strengthen the three step budget development model that has been set out at length in the blog and was positively considered by councillors at the October 06 retreat.

All that would have to happen for this opening up of officer activities would be for a notice of invitation to be placed in the weekly notices to councillors. Those inclined may take up the offer. I would prefer that we worked in this way, as opposed to having councillors given portfolios to mind. The portfolio idea might emerge from some practical experience. It is one thing to be "passionate about" something and quite another thing to be an expert on it. We need councillors who are experts and have to invest in making them so.

On a separate tack. I am concerned that the council itself is not being represented at a range of important events. These are in the main in the arts and sports areas (for example events in Pataka). Here, I suggest we have a schedule of events developed and councillors assigned to front up and say a few words on behalf of the city and the council.

Makara/Ohariu Community Board Vacancies: 1
Candidate	Status	Iteration	Votes
Craig Shepherd	Elected	3	152
Garry Maude	Not Elected	3	150
Roger Askin	Not Elected	2	61
Roger Bradshaw	Not Elected	1	10

This does not refer so much to the invitations the mayor receives. I have just this moment returned from opening a carnival in the town centre, a job that would normally have been done by the mayor (who is overseas on her holiday) or the deputy mayor (who is unwell). If I was the mayor I would allocate all such tasks to councillors. But, that is most unlikely with the present mayor who sees her responsibilities differently.
r
Saturday, November 18, 2006

town centre - current problems

I am aware of a raft of practical and immediate problems being raised by retailers. I cannot list them here, but I have been invited to meet with some retailers the week after next (leading people are away next week) to advance a list.
r
Saturday, November 18, 2006

emma koch of durham street

Emma Koch hand writes a letter. She says she works from home and tells me about her interests that include "art, social psychology and product manufacture as well as moderating died with exercise". She wants the council and the government to stop giving cash to the unemployed, solo mothers, the elderly, and youths. Instead she advocates the provision of food vouchers and "property ownership".
r
Friday, November 17, 2006

move the porirua hospital chapel

The Porirua Hospital Chapel is one of the last two remaining psychiatric hospital chapels in constant use in New Zealand.

Designed by Henderson & Associates and built at a cost of £20,000 by Braine Builders - the chapel opened its doors on 28 November 1965. Funds for the building were raised by the Wellington Hospital Board, hospital staff, churches and the wider community.

For 30 years it was the “village church” for the Porirua Hospital Community—which, with 2000 patients, was the largest mental health facility in Australasia.

Following the closure of Porirua Hospital, the chapel has continued to be the spiritual home for mental health clients; both on the hospital campus and in the wider community. It has evolved to become a “drop-in centre” and a place of worship for former patients. The Chapel is the centre for the Chaplains and the Chaplaincy Service. It also caters for staff weddings, and for christenings and funerals for the local community.

Ian and his team will address the Council at the City Services Committee shortly. They have worked on this excellent project for many years.

eric mckenzie

I was interested to hear Ken Douglas speak about the work that the late Councillor Eric McKenzie did in our commuity. Eric was the chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Council for many years and a strong Labour man. He used his skills as an accountant to restructure and revive many sports organisations over the years. I visited him from time-to-time when I was first elected to council and he freely gave of his advice.

Ken and I, along with Taima, and Maureen, spoke at a "speak off" which was a competition with the young people of the City. Euon and Naureen attended to cheer along our side.
r
Thursday, November 16, 2006

letter to editor - the public & the council

Council must move ahead and change the way it does business. So far we
have cut the number of committees and put all councillors on every
committee. This has resulted in a better focus on the decisions of council.

Now the challenge is to involve the public in a new way. One aspect is
this is the day-by-day integration of the public in the decisions and
discussions of the council. How can people participate as issues arise?

I suggest for discussion the following:
(1) Public submissions at the start of committee meetings on decisions
that are about to be made. The focus here is on the advice given by the
officers and the recommendations that the chairperson has made to the
committee.
(2) Public participation regarding new issues as a part of the General
Business of committee meetings. This would be a chance for people to come
along and say ‘what about this?”
(3) Public submissions at the start of the full council meetings on
decisions that are about to be made.
(4) Council “workshops” be open to the public and provide an
opportunity for the public to participate. The tradition is that workshops
are held behind closed doors. They are an opportunity for the councillors
and officers to exchange ideas before “going public”. This creates both
suspicion and misinformation. It generates unnecessary work because the
same issues have to be considered with the public later. I believe the
councillors are mature enough to cope with the public present.
(5) Only in very exceptional circumstances should the advice of
officers to councillors be confidential. Those who seek grants or
commercial contracts from the public purse must be told that the public
has right to know where their money is going. A council is a public body;
it is not a private business.
Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor

the ubiquitous andrew bonallack

No fewer than 6 major articles in City Life this week were written by Andrew Bonallack. Which is incredible given that the whole paper is only 20 pages, including advertisements. This Andrew is not listed in the the "meet our team" section of the paper at all.

The main person featured again in the paper is Councillor Litea Ah Hoi, which could account for her not being at council meetings. Way to go Litea!
r
Thursday, November 16, 2006

youth gangs

Whether we have a youth gang problem on the streets or not, we have one in the media. City Life has a full page article on the work of Maori wardens in Cannons Creek and their call for action on the youth gang problem. Of course mayor jenny features again - when will she ever learn. See earlier blog Litea 1: Jenny 0.

Interestingly, another Mongrel Mob member is quoted (they really need to employ more people on the public relations side of their business).

He says the Mob has problems with the recruitment of young people. The youth of today are just not joining things any more. He speculates that this is the result of the American influence. He has also seen a falling off in the quality of Mob recruits over the years. They have tightened the entry criteria, and now you have to have a job if you want to join the Mongrel Mob. Further, the Mob has training problems when large groups of young people join. Perhaps there is a social welfare fund available to assist them? Perhaps they need to join Business Porirua and access the free courses on motivation, training, and business planning?
r
Thursday, November 16, 2006

sports and events centre

whitby residents' association meeting

how does our council establish a better relationship with our community?

At length in this blog there has been discussion about the problem of integrating the Council with the community. Basically, people feel, and are, alienated by the Council, and they cannot understand how it happens, nor how the council arrives at the decisions that it does make. There is little understanding of council practice, or of particular decisions. In this climate residents either give up or suffer through the process of attempted engagement. The debate becomes personal and motives are questioned. Equally, the councillors find the whole thing unsatisfactory. This for a range of reasons and with different effects.

I propose the following changes. These would involve alteration to the Standing Orders:

Other ideas and thoughts most welcome. I have no idea the level of support from others, but I felt specific proposals need to be on the table to focus the discussion. Many people are important in this discussion.
r
Friday, November 10, 2006

Robert
Your thoughts should get a chance to bear fruit. If those suggestions came to pass we would see a return to participatory democracy raising, for some, its ugly head in Porirua. For too long the gulf between Council and the community has been allowed to widen due to the lack of desire to engage with the constituents who pay the bills. Far too much "councillors know best" has pervaded the centre of power presided over by some power and influence seekers who believe they have the first and last word in all matters.
Keep it up. Sooner or later the penny will drop.

Cheers - John W

Greetings Robert - Your suggestions to change Standing Orders are great
and if actioned would be a "great leap forward". Changes would need 75%
of councillors present - do you feel you have the numbers?
There is no big deal about (1) all the other councils effect this one.
Your comment about (3) is pertinent - I always thought workshop meetings
were not subject to standing orders and would be the best way to have dialogue
with councillors as a group. Cheers - Pip

Thanks for this. I think this is an important step in the right direction and I appreciate that. But does it go far enough?

It seems to me (and indeed it's spelled out in the statutory definition of public consultation) that the public needs more than just an opportunity to speak. There also needs to be active listening by councillors and a sincere willingness to consider and take on board matters raised by the public. Indeed, there needs to be a real dialogue. An exchange. An engagement.

Maybe it's not practicable to have a public debate during formal committee or full Council meetings, but surely at "workshops" members of the public should be allowed to participate fully and not just be allowed to make one statement for the ritual of it.

I've contrasted before the experience we had as submitters to the RLTC consultations on Transmission Gully with that we had before the Porirua Council on the LTCCP.

Terry McDavitt and his fellow commissioners inquiring into the Western Corridor plan had to study 6,000 submissions and listen to literally hundreds of personal presentations over several months. I believe every submitter, regardless of their views, left feeling they had been given every attention and consideration - there was true "consultation". Even though the commissioners must have got bored by considerable repetition and some less adequate submissions, each of them showed real respect to everybody coming before them. They all listened actively to everyone. They showed by their questioning that they had read and knew of everybody's written submission. All of the commissioners asked intelligent and courteous and constructive questions of almost every presenter. In my view they demonstrated "best practice".

I think it a great shame that Porirua City Council didn't learn from that when it came their turn to "consult" on their LTCCP. The public was urged by the Mayor to engage in the process; to consider all the matters presented in the draft and to make submissions on it. I was one of many who did so, making what I believed to be a comprehensive and considered submission, expressing my views on many issues (not just the Sports Centre, which was the sole focus of most people). I made numerous comments on infrastructural and financial issues. While I certainly didn't expect Council to agree with all I said, I did expect to have my views considered by our elected representatives. And frankly I don't think they did anything of the kind.

Mayors
W J Brown	1965-1983
J B Burke	1983-1998
J S Brash	1998-Present
Councillors
C S Bell	1965-1965
M R T Down	1965-1965
D McLeod	1965-1965
M Solomon	1965-1965, 1968-1971
B D Hart	1965-1967
R J Archer	1965-1968
L D Ayson	1965-1968
D S Collins	1965-1968
E A S Maxwell	1965-1968
J H Wilson	1965-1968
A E Mexted	1965-1968, 1971-1974, 1980-1983
J J Nixon	1965-1971
T Wineera	1965-1972
W C Arnold	1965-1974
M F Bannerman	1968-1974
R J Willing	1968-1974, 1980-1983
P Katene	1968-1977
E B Taylor	1968-1977
G Te H. Moke	1968-1979
H M Stuart	1968-1980, 1983-1985
A P Dette	1971-1977
E D Nathan	1971-1977
J B Burke	1971-1983
F W Duckworth	1973-1975
K F Gray	1973-1977
A K B Maclean	1973-1977
H M Smith	1973-2001
G W McCormick	1974-1976
O P Church	1974-1977
I A Hardgrave	1974-1989
M Arnold	1974-1992
J G Bennett	1975-1992
P A Jackson	1977-1978
F R Dreyer	1977-1980
A D Te Isaia	1977-1980
T P O’Brien	1977-1980
C A N Beyer	1977-1983
M E Brown	1977-1983
T D Janes	1977-1986
E McKenzie	1977-1986
P J O’Connell	1978-1980
C A Sketchley	1978-1980
M J Goodman	1980-1983
W D Marshall	1980-1983
W Herewini	1980-1985
S Meredith	1980-1986
R Hunter	1983-1986
M J Nolan	1983-1986
W R J Taylor	1983-1988
C A Hudson	1983-1989
N C Peach	1983-1989
J S Brash	1983-1989, 1992-1995
E Annadale	1983-1992
G E Walpole	1985-2001
M M Herewini	1986-1989
T Tuteru	1986-1989
P White	1986-1989
K M Watson	1986-1989, 1995-2004
R J Underhill	1986-2004
M J Henderson	1988-1992
M J Brooks	1989-1992
P J Quin	1989-1992
T S Arthur	1989-1995
G H Ford	1989-1995
N A Palmer	1989-present
M J Woodhouse	1989-2001
E M Matagi	1992-1995
I D Borrie	1992-1998
L K Lepaio	1992-1998
R K Shaw	1992-1998, 2001-present
L P Thomas	1992-1998
S M Dow	1995-present
G I Lavery	1995-2004
D V Stanley	1995-present
K G Douglas	1998-present
M A Gillon	1998-present
J A Green	1998-present
N O Leggett	1998-2004
L L A Ah Hoi	2001-present
T A Waters	2001-present
T C Fagaloa	2004-present
E N Kelly	2004-present
E G Murrell	2004-present
R E Rangi	2004-present

2007 - have your say!

wit of 2006 - our city features in parliament