August 6 is when submission close

 

From Auckland Council

Still time to help shape your Local Board Plan

 

Aucklanders are reminded that they have until 5pm on Wednesday 6 August to make a submission on their draft Local Board Plan. 

Each board, from Great Barrier, to Franklin in the south and Rodney in the north, has produced a draft Local Board Plan which provides a framework that will guide its decision-making, actions and priorities over the next three years.

Common themes from the draft plans include:

• protecting, enhancing and restoring the natural environment, with a particular emphasis on improving waterways and harbours
• a well-connected transport system offering real choice, plus the development of cycleways and walkways for recreation and to get around
• providing community facilities and  parks, open spaces and sports facilities to encourage active and healthy lifestyles and places for play and relaxation
• fostering strong local economies which offer a range of local employment opportunities.

 

Board members were out and about in their communities in February and March talking about the ideas that helped shape the draft plans and during July have been seeking formal submissions at consultation meetings around the region.

Aucklanders can still make a submission on their draft Local Board Plan either by filling out the freepost form that was sent with a summary document to every household during July or by going online at shapeauckland.co.nz.

People can read the draft plan in full at the shapeauckland website or by going to selected libraries and Auckland Council service centres.

Once the submission period ends on 6 August, hearings to consider all feedback will be held between August and September, with the Local Board Plans due to be adopted in October.

For more information or additional submission forms, people should call 09 301 0101.

Public feedback will help each board decide what its priorities are. These will then be considered through the process now underway for the next draft Long-term Plan (LTP) for 2015-2025.

 

About local boards

Local boards have a significant and wide-ranging role that spans most local government services and activities. Local boards make decisions on local matters, provide local leadership and support strong local communities. Local boards provide important local input into region-wide strategies and plans including those of the council-controlled organisations (CCOs). Details of each local board can be found at the ‘About Council’ page at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Each local boards’ budget for each year is subject to agreement with the governing body as part of the discussion on the annual local board agreement.

Local boards are responsible for:

• making decisions about non-regulatory local matters, including negotiating the standards of services delivered locally
• identifying and communicating the views of local people on regional strategies, policies, plans and bylaws to the governing body
• developing local board plans every three years and negotiating local board agreements with the governing body
• providing local leadership and developing relationships with the governing body, the community, community organisations and special interest groups in the local area
• providing input to CCO plans and initiatives
• identifying and developing bylaws for the local board area and proposing them to the governing body
• monitoring and reporting on the implementation of local board agreements
• any additional responsibilities delegated by the governing body, such as decisions within regional bylaws.

 

—ends—-

 

At the moment I am finishing up both the Papakura Local Board, and the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board draft plan submissions. After that it will be onto the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board Area Plan