TIME TO MOVE...
23 April, 2024 | Proudly locally owned and operated Issue 1102 Circulation 9000
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SEE PAGE 20 (07) 866 2090 info@theinformer.co.nz
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA
310 children, 85 adults and 65 team leaders
See page 3
NOT ENOUGH AUTONOMY FOR COMMUNITY BOARDS
BY RICHARD SHELFORD-WOODCOCK
T
here is much conversation about the role of Community Boards and their effectiveness. This is not specific to the Coromandel Peninsula, as I am aware of other districts raising a particular line of conversation around their being no ability to
effect change at the community board level. Their autonomy is consumed by a process that has evolved over the years which results in hamstrung bodies. This process is a trickle-down effect from central government by way of legislation to TCDC, through the Mayor and CEO, then Councillors and finally Community Boards. The legislation is very much
energy consuming, requiring a lot of implementation. We have a degree of centralised leadership which does not allow for decentralised empowerment. This makes establishing the kind of skills required for community board elected members very hazy. I think we don’t always get it right. I have three major questions as Chair of The Whitianga Residents
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and Ratepayers:- How can our Community Boards operate with more autonomy and therefore with more effectiveness? What degree of autonomy is the Council going to give our Community Boards? What is the role of residents and ratepayers in relation to Community Boards? The Community Boards cost the ratepayer a decent amount, so they need to be effective and have
the ability to work closely with residents and be able to effect change, consulting with Council but not merely being a channel to Council. After all, the theory is the elected members of a community board have more local knowledge and a stronger relationship with their local communities and are committed to being out and about listening to their community. Turn to page 2
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