Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Tenby Powell will establish community boards as Mayor

SEPTEMBER 17th, 2019


Tauranga Mayoral Candidate Tenby Powell says the Tauranga community is lacking effective representation within Council and if elected he will establish community boards across the city.

“I believe our city needs a more inclusive approach to decision making that respects the insights of our residents. Community boards will recognise the diversity of Tauranga’s communities and will provide a stronger, more inclusive voice in council which, in turn, will better unite a city divided.”

This initiative follows five months of community engagement by Powell since announcing his bid for the Tauranga Mayoralty in early May.

“Everywhere I go, whether I talk to individuals, community groups, businesses and residents, their consistent message is that their concerns fall on deaf ears.”

Powell says community boards will also achieve a more efficient use of ratepayer funds.

“As an example, if we want to know the best way to fix the Turret Road (SH2A), ask the residents who live in Welcome Bay, they have the answers. The same goes for all Tauranga communities. Currently we hire expensive consultants and mostly we get it wrong. So, let’s ask the people living in our communities for solutions.” says Powell.

“If a Community Board had been established in Greerton, I doubt we’d have wasted money and inconvenienced business owners and motorists by installing a controlled pedestrian crossing a few metres from the Chadwick Rd roundabout, causing major traffic jams as far back as Barkes Corner and Church St.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Powell says Community Board’s will also lift the governance performance of Tauranga City Council’s Elected Members.

“What has become evident is that 11 individuals are making decisions for our communities about issues on which they have little or no understanding.”

This new initiative would ensure that the Elected Members get solid community representation via a community structure which has worked successfully elsewhere.

While some council candidates have indicated they will seek to increase the number of wards across the city, Powell believes this isn’t the answer.

“For too long this city has suffered from Elected Members who don’t truly engage with their community and therefore they don’t represent residents effectively. Community boards will give our council greater community engagement and therefore a more representative view.” says Powell.

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.