Public urged to be better informed

10 September 2014

Four workshops have been scheduled before the end of September for the public to hear their elected councillors discuss a range of issues including the future of the Cambridge pool and potential multi-million investments in water.

The Waipa District Council workshops are not formal meetings of council so no binding decisions can be made. They offer an opportunity for elected members to discuss complex issues before having to make formal decisions. While members of the public cannot take part in the discussions, they can attend the workshops and listen to what is said.

The council is encouraging public interest in the workshops as the issues discussed may influence proposals to be included in the draft 10-Year Plan. The draft Plan, which details what council will spend money on in the coming decade, will be formally released early next year.

Mayor Jim Mylchreest said the council genuinely wanted the community to be better informed and more engaged on council business. In August the council launched a campaign - 'Let's Get Engaged' - to gain early public feedback before elected members finalised the draft 10-Year Plan and released it to the community for formal consultation.

"There are times when, for issues of commercial sensitivity or for other legitimate reasons, we need to hold some discussions in a non-public setting," he said.

"But there is absolutely no reason why many of our discussions can't and shouldn't be held in public. We are dealing with public money and this is public business. In fact, some of the decisions we make in the coming few months will influence the future of the district for many years to come."

Two workshops will be held on the morning of September 16. The first will cover the council's new significance and engagement policy. The second will cover financial and non-financial assumptions upon which the 10-Year Plan will be based.

On the afternoon of September 23, a workshop will be held to discuss possible options for the Cambridge pool. On September 30, elected members will be discussing some of the water infrastructure issues facing the district.

All workshops will be held in the council chamber in Te Awamutu. Times and dates for the public workshops are outlined on the council's website, www.waipadc.govt.nz and are also advertised in local newspapers. Workshops may be subject to last minute changes and people are urged to check the website for up-to-date information.

ENDS

Media enquiries to Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of Council) 027 5077 599