Word from the Mayor
The time has arrived when the Hurunui District Council will present its Long-Term Plan to the community. The Hanmer Springs Community Board, the South Ward and the community committees in Amuri, Cheviot, Glenmark and Hurunui have all had the chance to insert capital expenditure items into the plan for consideration.
All these capital expenditure items are an influential part of improving the communities represented. In the Hurunui District, we are fortunate that local people involve themselves in looking to the future of their communities, and this is something for which I, and your elected members, are grateful. We feel that the voices of these people reflect the community vision. Internally, we have had the Office of the Auditor General scrutinise all aspects of the Long-Term Plan and this is about to be adopted by council. The audit provides an independent review of council processes, to ensure that ratepayers are receiving appropriate and timely outcomes from the rates they pay. This process occurs across all councils and sign off for this council is expected on Thursday, May 6.
The next step is to actively engage with you, and this will take place throughout our community with a session in each of the three wards, along with a planned series of “drop-in” sessions across the district. Dates and locations will be extensively advertised shortly. People are welcome to attend at any of the locations. The consultation document is titled Finding the Fairway. We urge you to submit your thoughts to this plan. We want to understand if you support our strategy and our focus on core business, managing the debt that has accumulated, particularly in roading, and our focus on reducing the debt by year three.
Thank-you to everyone who took time to reflect and remember the importance of Anzac Day. The dawn services were well attended. I am grateful to the people who co-ordinate these services — your work is appreciated.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day — a wonderful opportunity to take time to give thanks for all mothers for the love they give out every day, and in the words of our grandchildren: “They look after you when you are sick, and always know where my missing things are”.