Councillor comment/notes

Council meeting

Our council meeting on the 18^th March covered a number of items and I am going to summarise some of these below.

Recommendation from the Martinborough Community Board that the Pain Farm House and the cottage are rented out separately from the end of the current lease.  This was passed at and will take affect from the new lease/rent arrangements.

On the 25^th March at the emergency meeting of Council we appointed the Emergency Committee of the Mayor and all councillors and agreed the TOR for this committee to operate during Alert levels 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 emergency. We also noted that Local Government is reviewing quorums for these meeting in light of the numbers of councillors able to attend meetings.

Annual Plan

Council officers, staff and councillors have been working hard to include the necessary normal everyday things, some essential works and the running of the Council and also ensure that rates do not rise to an unprecedented level.   At the time of writing the discussion is continuing.  The draft Consultation Document should be finalised at our April 2^nd meeting and then this will be delivered through the Midweek to all households on the 15^th April.  This will also be available through the Council’s website www.swdc.govt.nz .  The location of the extra paper versions of the Consultation Document will be advised nearer the time. Unfortunately we won’t be able to hold the community workshops as in previous years.  This year, we are needing to be creative and think differently.

COVID-19

As you will be aware the Prime Minister has moved the Alert level for COVID-19 from Level 3 to a Level 4.

This means that all council staff will be working from home, should you need to contact anyone, in the first instance please ring the Council offices on 06 3069611 and follow the message instructions.

If you would like to talk to a Councillor then our phone numbers & email contacts are below.

Brian (Jeppy) Jephson  0275026198 brian.jephson@swdc.govt.nz

Pip Maynard 021683638 pip.maynard@swdc.govt.nz

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

Our priority is that everyone in the community remains safe at this time, look out for yourselves first, family next and then neighbours and friends/colleagues. Please take care and follow any instructions from our Prime Minister and the Ministry of Health.

Pam Colenso  

0274414892  pam.colenso@swdc.govt.nz