Future for Local Government
At a recent Hui in Wellington Mayors and Chief Executives from across the country considered our collective future.
We have heard many promises of how the incoming government will put the local back into ‘Localism” and to get our great country “back on track” and help to rebuild the economy, both central and local government play a major role in our the future, we at local government continue to deliver on the essential services that our communities depend on, these are the things that make our communities liveable.
The hui focussed on the things that could make a difference to how we deliver with resounding support to consider funding and financing options, as the current tools are insufficient to meet the needs of our communities. Over the past few years with the scope and pace of change this has put many councils under pressure as councils are bound by the same regulations as you in your business and often, funds get diverted from the usual business to focus on other issues. Your council has been advocating for your district, working through the myriad of legislative changes and tackling the funding demands, while striving to keep our communities running smoothly. This is not an easy balance but one that we will focus on as we work through the Long Term Plan. I am keen as a council that we offer as many opportunities for the public to understand the issues we face, to ensure that you our community has an insight to the costs and challenges we are also facing and to enable your elected members to find the best range of options for you to consider when we formally consult early in the first quarter of 2024.
Your voice and participation is most important as we test each other’s assumptions for what matters most to you, what that will cost and who or how it will paid?
We need considered engaged and funded partnership’s that will benefit our district, as we consider how we can work with central government we need to consider how we can work with you and that your thoughts are captured in designing the future of the Hurunui District.
The new Government needs to listen and understand us better and we need to listen and ensure we work with you our community to focus on the things that matter most to you as we map our next 10 years and beyond together. United we can do so much more.