Councillor notes
It has been a very busy month for Councillors, starting off with two Induction workshops and 3 Council meetings.
Our first workshop to adopt the annual report was covered last month, our second induction workshop covered the Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, Conflicts of Interest, Public Protection and requesting and writing reports, pretty dry topics but very necessary to set the basis for our meetings going forward.
We then moved into the more nitty gritty stuff RMA & District Plan, Spatial Plan project, Roading, Climate Change and then we were very lucky to have Dame Margaret Bazley & Marie-Claire Andrews who gave an overview of the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy and talked about some of the projects, such as the Dark Sky Society receiving support and funding from the Provincial Growth fund.
Council Meeting: As part of public participation Jenny Boyne spoke on the grant application from Tuturumuri Hall Committee in respect of legal fees to transfer the land the hall stands on to the hall committee from GWRC and also to assist with the insurance cover for the hall. Council has decided to grant $2,000 towards the transfer costs of the land.
The annual Dog Control report for the 2018/19 year was tabled and interestingly South Wairarapa has 1863 dog owners, 3125 registered dogs and of these 1941 are in the rural area and 1184 in the urban area. We had a total of 95 dogs that were impounded. Council has approved a doubling of the budget for the new dog pound facility to a total of $240,000. The feasibility of a joint pound facility is being explored in conjunction with Carterton District Council. Progress on the matter will be on an agenda item for the next Planning and Regulatory Committee.
Jennie Mitchell, Group Manager Corporate Services tabled the Remuneration Authorities recommendations for Councillor’s remuneration for this triennium. This is a change from previous trienniums. From the remuneration pool of $242,000 councillors receive a base salary of $18,596 pa plus additional funds for the workloads they are tasked with. This is advised to the Remuneration Authority (RA) who will gazette this on the 19th December. Approval and confirmation of the recommendation is expected from the RA early next year.
Martinborough Water: There has been a number of articles in the paper, on the SWDC website and on facebook advising that water restrictions will be in place from the 30th November. This will mean that only hand held hoses can be used to water gardens etc. The day on which you can use a hose is determined by your house number ie 30 is on even numbered days and 31 would be on odd numbered days. Your adherence to this will mean that there is sufficient water for everyone.
On behalf of Jeppy, Pip and myself, we wish you a very happy Christmas and a safe and enjoyable New Year. Pam Colenso
Pam Colenso
0274414892 or pam.colenso@swdc.govt.nz
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