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By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A fresh call by the Ombudsman for council workshops to be open to the public by default has received a cautionary response on the West Coast.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier made the demand following his investigation into the way some councils have … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A fresh call by the Ombudsman for council workshops to be open to the public by default has received a cautionary response on the West Coast.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier made the demand following his investigation into the way some councils have excluded the public from meetings.
None of the West Coast's four local authorities were formally scrutinized by the review.
The investigation followed complaints about councils "undermining local democracy" by holding secret meetings.
Boshier dismissed some of the reasons councils gave for closed-door meetings -- including being able to ask "silly questions".
West Coast Regional Council risk and assurance chairperson Frank Dooley said there was "no such thing as a silly question" and it should not be "an excuse" for closing the door to public scrutiny.
Everyone had "a right to understand" council business, but workshops were useful to inform elected members for later formal decision making, he said.
"It's getting your ducks in a row," Dooley said.
However, the council had conducted seven closed door workshops on the council's next 10-year long-term plan alone this year. Some of those workshops lasted several hours.
"I don't think there is anything to be gained by having those workshops in the public forum because we've got to debate where we go [later] from a strategic point of view," Dooley said.
Although, he said there was "greater scope for communication" around the purpose of the workshops.
The Westland District Council's use of workshops has been contentious at times, since the local body elections in October 2022.
Westland mayor Helen Lash said she had been upfront about the need for them, while acknowledging council discourse should primarily be in public.
A closed meeting invariably fuelled poor perception, but it was not necessarily a case of "hiding anything," Lash said.
"I have not doubt there have been workshops around the country held to hide information. It's something I despise from my previous tenure at council."
But the new Westland council had required a high level of briefings after the local election.
Closed workshops had been mainly on the commitments made by the council's predecessor, and to guide new councillors in their governance role, she said.
"Primarily, workshops were to develop the skills of the new council."
Lash said they had been deliberately called "workshops" instead of "training days" because they provided context for future decisions on urgent issues, including a "state of play" on the district's assets.
At the same time, workshops helped avoid "quick, rash decisions" by council only based on a summary report or sketchy information provided just days before, she said.
"If you don't understand the detail behind it, to me it's irresponsible in making decisions."
Dooley said it was sometimes necessary to brief councillors informally, such as with the 2022-23 annual report.
"I think it's really important for councillors to go through the annual report and understand and ask questions on it before putting it into the public [domain].
"Some of the other workshops we've had have been really technical."
These included expert briefings on the Westport flood resilience scheme and the 10-year Waiho River Management Strategy.
The later briefing was prior to the public presentation to the Franz Josef community a fortnight ago.
This ensured "everyone understood" what was coming in order to respond to constituents, he said.
National MP Shane Reti shared pre-election that he's wanting to review the Health Star Rating used on NZ grocery products. This rating is voluntary and uses a scale of 0.5 to five stars to rank packaged food on its nutrient profile. Have these ratings had an affect on what you've been … View moreNational MP Shane Reti shared pre-election that he's wanting to review the Health Star Rating used on NZ grocery products. This rating is voluntary and uses a scale of 0.5 to five stars to rank packaged food on its nutrient profile. Have these ratings had an affect on what you've been buying?
Type NFP if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
About half of West Coast Regional Council rates bills were incorrectly charged.
The council on Wednesday announced PricewaterhouseCooper has completed an external review into the first installment rates mess.
The review found … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
About half of West Coast Regional Council rates bills were incorrectly charged.
The council on Wednesday announced PricewaterhouseCooper has completed an external review into the first installment rates mess.
The review found "outdated" capital valuation figures were behind significant inaccuracies in about 50% - about 11,000 - of the bills sent by council early this month to its 22,000 property rating base.
Chief executive Darryl Lew again apologised on behalf of council for the mess.
It follows ratepayers being shocked at opening their bills early this month to find increases of anywhere up to 100%.
The council passed a general rates rise of 16.4% in June.
Lew said he would initiate a further audit to determine what went wrong and to ensure it did not happen again.
Almost all of the main towns on the West Coast were affected, apart from Reefton.
The capital values used to calculate the factors in the rates strike for each special rating district had been based on "outdated capital value figures", Lew said.
The largest variations were found in Greymouth, Punakaiki, Westport, Karamea, Hokitika, Red Jacks (Grey Valley) and Wanganui (Hari Hari) special rating districts.
"The review also found rates variations in the Grey Rating District have resulted from the Grey Floodwall Rating District Boundary extension and the capital value of property within this area."
PricewaterhouseCooper identified the "underlying variations" that affected a number of rates notices, Lew said.
"I am now initiating an audit to determine what went wrong in council's procedures to ensure future controls are put in place that will prevent this happening again."
On October 20, the council announced a further extension of the 2023-24 first rates installment due date, to Thursday November 30.
The council had also now reviewed the levies for the affected areas with the correct capital valuations and would be raising "credit notes" for each of the properties concerned.
Lew apologised for the inconvenience of the resulting "rates corrections".
He urged those unsure if their property had been rated correctly to contact the council office.
Those who had already paid their rates for the year in full could ask council for a refund.
Lew said the council would ensure staff efficiently created rates credit notes.
"Ratepayers in the affected areas will receive a letter in due course stating what they have been charged for the first rates demand, a breakdown of their current rating assessment and advice on the correct amount to pay."
The second rates demand would only charge the difference between the first and second rates installment and would therefore be a lower amount to pay.
Lew said repayment plan options were also available for those affected by variations, due to the wrong capital value being used in the first place.
Ryman Healthcare has again been recognised as a top provider at the 2023 Aged Advisor ‘People Choice Awards’.
This year Ryman was selected as a finalist for Best Provider Nationwide, and Diana Isaac took home Best Large Retirement Village / Lifestyle Village.
The awards, run by … View moreRyman Healthcare has again been recognised as a top provider at the 2023 Aged Advisor ‘People Choice Awards’.
This year Ryman was selected as a finalist for Best Provider Nationwide, and Diana Isaac took home Best Large Retirement Village / Lifestyle Village.
The awards, run by agedadvisor.co.nz are based on almost 11,300 reviews and ratings for more than 890 facilities. Over 1600 of those in-depth reviews went towards this year’s awards.
Ryman took home the top prize in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. As a finalist this year Aged Advisor voters recognise Ryman’s continued growth and efforts within the aged care sector.
Click to read more.
Dear neighbours, surely it's not too soon to think of this most wonderful time of the year. In fact, we're looking for recipes for your favourite Christmas dishes, whether it's your mum's pavlova, grilled tiger prawns or a colourful summer salad, to feature in the magazine. … View moreDear neighbours, surely it's not too soon to think of this most wonderful time of the year. In fact, we're looking for recipes for your favourite Christmas dishes, whether it's your mum's pavlova, grilled tiger prawns or a colourful summer salad, to feature in the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by October 29, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the December issue of NZ Gardener.
We’re looking for the nicest neighbours in town, and Pam Driver of Burswood has shared her lovely neighbours, David and Lara Hurst, saying they “are just wonderful”.
This year, Pam had a missing cat, which was quite out of character. Driver let the Hursts know, and they joined the search, … View moreWe’re looking for the nicest neighbours in town, and Pam Driver of Burswood has shared her lovely neighbours, David and Lara Hurst, saying they “are just wonderful”.
This year, Pam had a missing cat, which was quite out of character. Driver let the Hursts know, and they joined the search, successfully locating him in the gap between the ceiling and roof of their neighbour’s house.
Pam said “They rescued him and brought him home to me... complete with some scratches! I hate to think what would have happened had he not been found”.
Pam nominated the Hursts to let them know she is thankful for them: “It’s so good to know I have such caring neighbours who have my back. Thank you neighbours!”
Nominate someone in your hood, and your special neighbour could feature on Stuff and Neighbourly as an inspiration to us all (plus there are prizes to be won!).
Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this Jennian home in the Coromandel's beautiful Whitianga worth over $1 million. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two outdoor decks and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be lived in and … View moreDon’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this Jennian home in the Coromandel's beautiful Whitianga worth over $1 million. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two outdoor decks and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be lived in and loved by its new owners.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
Hello Neighbours, are you ready for a relaxing Labor Day long weekend?
If you're looking for some leisurely activities, we've got just the thing – a selection of fantastic shows to enjoy from the comfort of your home!
PLUS, we've got the scoop on broadband providers … View moreHello Neighbours, are you ready for a relaxing Labor Day long weekend?
If you're looking for some leisurely activities, we've got just the thing – a selection of fantastic shows to enjoy from the comfort of your home!
PLUS, we've got the scoop on broadband providers offering FREE streaming subscriptions! Let's dive in!
Bring out the best in your bathroom with a feature wall in your favourite Resene colour.
Find out how to get started with our easy advice.
Lower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.
We're asking for … View moreLower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.
We're asking for feedback on a Draft Safer Speed Plan which sets out a three-year implementation plan and 10-year vision for safe speed areas in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
To read the plan and give feedback by 25 October visit our website.
A common neighbourhood quandary is the shared fence and we wonder what you would do... Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Your fence needs a paint but it's a fence that is shared with your … View moreA common neighbourhood quandary is the shared fence and we wonder what you would do... Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Your fence needs a paint but it's a fence that is shared with your neighbour's property. Do you...
Wondering about your power, broadband and mobile providers? It's time to have your say!
Voting for the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS in the Power, Broadband and Mobile categories is now open. Click below to VOTE NOW!
Share your voice and VOTE for who you think deserves to WIN … View moreWondering about your power, broadband and mobile providers? It's time to have your say!
Voting for the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS in the Power, Broadband and Mobile categories is now open. Click below to VOTE NOW!
Share your voice and VOTE for who you think deserves to WIN People's Choice - Power, Broadband and Mobile in New Zealand.
Voting ends on November 17th, 2023.
WIN 1 of 5 $100 Prezzy Cards - It's just a few clicks away!
Simply complete our EASY PriceMe survey and get ready to win big!
Ready to win? CLICK below.
But that's not all – your insights will help us create the best deals for Black Friday, tailored just for you.
Get started now… View moreWIN 1 of 5 $100 Prezzy Cards - It's just a few clicks away!
Simply complete our EASY PriceMe survey and get ready to win big!
Ready to win? CLICK below.
But that's not all – your insights will help us create the best deals for Black Friday, tailored just for you.
Get started now and let your voice be heard!
When it’s time to explore retirement village options, you have so many choices. So how do you decide what village is best for you? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide explaining all there is to know about Ryman retirement living.
How much does a retirement village cost? What levels of … View moreWhen it’s time to explore retirement village options, you have so many choices. So how do you decide what village is best for you? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide explaining all there is to know about Ryman retirement living.
How much does a retirement village cost? What levels of care do we provide? The Ryman Guide answers all your questions around finances, living options & what to expect when you move in to one of our thriving village communities.
Get a free copy for yourself & find out why we are New Zealand’s Most Trusted brand in aged care.
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