Councillor Comment

Council is still working towards finalising the Annual Plan documents for 2022-2023 year and this will continue up to the end of June when the Annual Plan is adopted by Council.

At the recent Finance, Audit & Risk meeting it was noted that work is currently underway through the Wairarapa Policy Working Group, to develop a joint Smokefree environments policy that will apply across the Wairarapa to enable a consistent approach to be taken.  South Wairarapa Councillors on this group are Councillor Garrick Emms & Councillor Alistair Plimmer.  A survey is currently being drafted to understand community attitudes towards smoking and vaping within the Wairarapa to inform the policy development. 

On behalf of Council, Key research are currently undertaking the 2022 Residents’ Perception Survey.  As with the 2021 survey, a mixed method approach to data collection is being used and will consist of a postal invitation to an online survey, with the option of having a paper copy of the survey if required. The postal invite has been sent to a random selection of residents aged 18 years or older.

The survey closes on the 25^th April 2022 (surveys will be accepted on Tuesday the 26^th April owing to ANZAC day being a public holiday).  The results of the survey will be used to measure performance against the key performance indicators (KPI’s) reported in the Annual Report for the year ended June 2021.  A draft report is due in May with the final report due in June 2022.

Council meetings for April that I will be attending

Wednesday 6^th April Council

Thursday 7^th  Martinborough Community Board

Tuesday 19^th Annual Plan meeting

Wednesday 20^th Planning & Regulatory

Assets & Services

Annual Plan meeting

Thursday 21^stAnnual Plan meeting

I think that April is going to fly past (as quick as the last 3 months already have) as we count down to Easter and the school holidays, then we have ANZAC day on the 25^th and the month is almost over.

Take care, be safe and enjoy the special time that both Easter and ANZAC bring with family and friends.

Pam Colenso. 0274414892. pam.colenso@swdc.govt.nz