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Grace Gibberd has hardly had time to reflect on her major win at this year’s New Zealand Dairy Indus…
Council Consultation – A Clayton’s Choice?
- Opinion Piece by HRRA
How do you ensure you win an argument, while making the other person believe that they actually won? Simple – provide them with two options to argue over that may appear different, but both are in fact ones that you are … View moreCouncil Consultation – A Clayton’s Choice?
- Opinion Piece by HRRA
How do you ensure you win an argument, while making the other person believe that they actually won? Simple – provide them with two options to argue over that may appear different, but both are in fact ones that you are happy to accept. Provide a Clayton’s choice – two (or more) options, but no genuine choice. This is what the HRRA sees in the current consultancy document which has been provided by the Hamilton City Council on their 2020 ‘Back on Track’, budget proposal.
You may have seen the online ads asking you to make a submission on this ‘plan’. So do you want a 3.8% rate increase, or would you prefer that in these uncertain times the council has a rates freeze? Read the document this is not presented as an option for debate – page three states the council proposes the 3.8% increase goes ahead. So if you think that in a recession you are in a better position to spend your money than council, this is not an option for discussion - 3.8% property taxes are coming…
That was page three, what is next? Do you want to vote on tinkering around the edges on a number of projects, or do you think the council should seriously revisit their spending, provide proper cost benefit analyses on all major projects, indeed all major line items, and make tough decisions to stay within a budget? Oh wait, you are directed only to respond to their selected projects.
So what do you conclude? The council is required to ‘consult’ but unfortunately there appears to be absolutely no requirement for it to actually listen. Last year the HRRA controversially decided not to submit on the revised ten-year plan. We did not do this lightly. We knew it would be criticised, but we also knew that any credible submission we made would take a lot of time and effort, and for what? Previous experience had shown us that contrary submissions are largely ignored.
Of course, you might say what is the basis for that assumption? Don’t submit, don’t complain right? Perhaps we do not care about these issues? Maybe the hundreds of volunteer hours our members put in to try to improve accountability, transparency, integrity and democracy in council decisions are not genuine? Actually, we did this to send a message that these submission processes have become just that – submission; complete and absolute.
We are not alone in this view. In the last quality of life project survey in 2018, just 26% of Hamiltonians had confidence in council decision making. Moreover, Hamiltonians had the poorest level of response from all of the eight cities surveyed for: Rubbish on the Streets, Alcohol and Drugs, the Presence of Unsafe People - and was second only to Wellington for Begging issues (1).
When it comes to previous submission processes an analysis of the results does not make great reading either. Almost 2/3’s of written submissions opposed the new theatre. 71% opposed the Universal Annual General Charge (UAGC). Nearly all of those that made written submissions opposed rates rises. It is not surprising that just 30% of the Hamiltonian’s surveyed think the public has some influence on council decision making - a significant drop since 2016, and the lowest % for all of the cities surveyed (1).
Strong vibrant communities require people in those communities to stand up, speak out, and be listened to. It is hardly surprising that Hamiltonian’s appear disillusioned and survey results indicate such poor confidence in council decisions. Why speak out if you are just ignored? Why take part in consultation processes that don’t appear designed to truly want to hear your views? We have not even talked about previous consulting documents in relation to question design. Leading, double barrelled, loaded questions, questions beyond the respondent’s ability to answer. Consulting documents of the past have been a lesson in how not to write a good questionnaire if you want accurate responses.
However, we do have a new council; at least partially. Many were elected based upon the promise they would listen more to the community. Let us hope that they actually begin to do so soon, as to date our experience has been the opposite. Let us hope that they reform their consultancy processes and consider the community’s view. We live in hope.
Silver colored TV Cabinet with Black glass door and one shelf .
Front 76cm wide at back 55cm wide ,length from front of cabinet to back 47cm . Must pick up. Excess to our requirement .$40.00 ono
EarthDiverse, the Waikato Interfaith Council, the Waikato Multicultural Council, GoEco, Kaivolution, Tui 2000, Friends of Waiwhakareke, the Bahá’í Community, Waikato Biodiversity Forum, Artmakers Trust and the Hamilton City Council are co-organising a Community-wide tree planting event to take … View moreEarthDiverse, the Waikato Interfaith Council, the Waikato Multicultural Council, GoEco, Kaivolution, Tui 2000, Friends of Waiwhakareke, the Bahá’í Community, Waikato Biodiversity Forum, Artmakers Trust and the Hamilton City Council are co-organising a Community-wide tree planting event to take place in Hamilton on Saturday 18 July 2020, 10:30am-1:30pm (Rain Date in case of absolutely awful weather will be on Saturday 1 August). Bring a spade or shovel, gumboots, appropriate outdoor weather gear (e.g. hat, rain gear, sunglasses), some gardening gloves, water and a big smile. Don't forget to bring your friends and family!
If you don’t want to dig there are other ways to help out (like bringing a small food donation, or helping with setting out and serving a light lunch). A light lunch will be served (courtesy of Kaivolution, GoEco, WIFCO, EarthDiverse, the Bahá’í Community and others). Please bring your own plates, cutlery or mugs in order to minimise waste.
Make sure you are there for the group orientation from 10:30-11:00am. We'll plant from about 11:00-12:30pm. 100 people would mean planting about 5-10 saplings each.
Planting will be followed by a free sponsored light lunch with the help of GoEco, Kaivolution, the Waikato Interfaith Council, EarthDiverse and the Hamilton City Council.
Our annual community tree planting event is family friendly, free, fun and open to the public. All are welcome to attend.
Mark this date in your diaries now. Come and work together and help offset our carbon usage!
Location: Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, Brymer Road (opposite the entrance to the Hamilton Zoo). Just follow the ‘Community Planting’ signs at the end of the Baverstock Road intersection with Brymer Road. We’ll meet in the car park at 10:30am for a quick health and safety briefing and planting instructions, and will then head down into the park.
If your sports, music, hobby or community club facilities look a little worse for wear, Resene have fresh colour and paint to bring them back to their very best!
Resene have 3 prizes of $1500 of Resene quality paints, primers/sealers, wood stains and accessories to give away.
In addition, … View moreIf your sports, music, hobby or community club facilities look a little worse for wear, Resene have fresh colour and paint to bring them back to their very best!
Resene have 3 prizes of $1500 of Resene quality paints, primers/sealers, wood stains and accessories to give away.
In addition, each winning club will receive a $500 Prezzy card, that you can use to keep your volunteer painters nourished and happy while they are doing the painting! PLUS we have some extra spot prize vouchers too! Simply nominate your club and tell us why they deserve to win! Entries close 31 August 2020!
You are welcome to nominate more than one club.
A Hamilton cyclist has died after being involved in a crash with a truck on June 28. Tim Hope, 76, …
Follow Mo & Garth showing you how to make your own dumplings, we provide all the recipes, ingredients and cooking facilities, step by step to teach you the whole process, limited to 10 people maximum in each workshop, to make sure everybody will be well instructed and get the skills, and you … View moreFollow Mo & Garth showing you how to make your own dumplings, we provide all the recipes, ingredients and cooking facilities, step by step to teach you the whole process, limited to 10 people maximum in each workshop, to make sure everybody will be well instructed and get the skills, and you will have about 20 dumplings to take home after class.
When: 8th July, 1pm-4pm
Where: 16 Comries Road, the Wooden A Frame
Who: adults and children 11+ years old
How much: $20 per person
How to sign up: contact us to confirm your place then make the payment in advance.
Who we are: Mo is a Chinese and Garth is a Kiwi, we have operated our business “Reasons NZ Education” in Hamilton for many years, usually at this time of the year we have many Chinese children and adults here for short and long term education, COVID 19 put a stop to that !! So now we are putting our knowledge and skills to teach Hamilton people Chinese cooking, Dumplings are the first class, then we will try steam buns, Zongzi, and different Chinese dishes, something different every workshop.
What better way to take a load off than to put your feet up and get inspired with a fresh copy of the Sunday Star-Times each week. For a limited time, when you subscribe to the Sunday Star-Times for just 6 months*, we are giving away a free Gourmet Spice Pack valued at $65 so you can get crafty in … View moreWhat better way to take a load off than to put your feet up and get inspired with a fresh copy of the Sunday Star-Times each week. For a limited time, when you subscribe to the Sunday Star-Times for just 6 months*, we are giving away a free Gourmet Spice Pack valued at $65 so you can get crafty in the kitchen with Raptor Naturals finest flavours.
Call us on 0800 339 000 or click on the button below and use the promo code “SSTRAPTOR” to redeem this special offer now.
Hurry as this offer ends 31st July, 2020!
*T&Cs apply. For full terms and conditions, please visit www.mags4gifts.co.nz
Garage Sale tomorrow 431 Kahikatea Drive everything must go. Lots of cheap items including furniture! See you there
8am!!
Hi neighbours, the next issue of Get Growing will now be released early next week, so keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime you can read all previous editions here, so dig in and enjoy!
Do you have a teenager who finds school difficult?
Our Ultimate – Foundation Skills programme may be the right fit! This FREE programme is specifically for 16-19 year-olds and focuses on helping them gain important skills that will help them in the workplace and in the wider world. Your teen can… View moreDo you have a teenager who finds school difficult?
Our Ultimate – Foundation Skills programme may be the right fit! This FREE programme is specifically for 16-19 year-olds and focuses on helping them gain important skills that will help them in the workplace and in the wider world. Your teen can gain credits towards NCEA 1 and 2, learn computer skills and how to write a CV, all while exploring a range of practical study and career options they can follow.
Visit our website to find out more about our Ultimate programme!
The Hamilton City Council’s infrastructure operations committee extended the parking trial to suppor…
Our franchisee Michelle from NumberWorks'nWords Silverdale discussing the battle of maths and the rationale behind all the strategies our kids are exposed to in the classroom.
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