Councillor Comments

At the Council meeting on  22 February a number of things were on the agenda that I thought would be of interest.
Submissions closed for the Draft Easter Trading Policy. A number of submissions were received, these will be heard at a special Council meeting on the 2nd March.  If you would like to hear what the submitters have to say, then come along to the meeting commencing at 9.00am in the Council Chambers.

Martinborough Community Board offered free swims at the Martinborough pool on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and although this has been well patronized, numbers have not been as high as was expected, possibly due to the weather. The Community Board have extended this until the end of the Season and the days will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As the weather has finally warmed up, it would be great to see everyone taking advantage of this special offer. Congratulations to the Community Boards across the South Wairarapa on this great initiative.

The Local Government Commission has advised that their draft proposal for the Wairarapa will be released on March 15th and submissions will be called for. Submissions will close approximately May 3rd and this is still to be confirmed. During the period 15th March to May 3rd the Commission will have public information stands at various locations throughout the Wairarapa. I urge everyone to have their say, as by not putting in a submission then it will be very difficult to complain if you don’t get the option you prefer.

Council had a presentation from Josie Whaanga, Tom Hullena, Tracey and Mark Shepherd and Alan Maxwell from YETE (The Youth Education, Training and Employment Partnership). They are working with Youth in the 12 to 24 age group, to move them into a future where our youth are engaged in meaningful education, training and/or employment.  

They are currently funded by grants through a number of organisations and have their base with REAP in Masterton.  As a number of the children they work with are from the South Wairarapa they are looking for funding and will be putting in a submission to the Annual Plan later in the year.

Last, but not least, Council arranged a tour of the local Assets and Infrastructure, some Councillors went on Saturday and I was in the group on Thursday.  It was fantastic to get a greater understanding of these and to see firsthand where our money is being spent.
Councillor Pip Maynard, ph. 021 683 638