NEWS RELEASE
18 December 2008
 
Wellingtonians sought for residents' panel on city plan
 
Wellingtonians with an interest in the city’s future are being asked to consider putting their names forward for a residents’ panel that will provide views to help Wellington City Council develop its next long term plan (2009-2019).
 
The Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) is the document that the Council uses to guide what it does, the services it provides and how they will be funded – through rates, user charges or in other ways like partnerships with other organisations.
 
The Council’s Director of Citizen Engagement, Wendy Walker, says the Council has some tough decisions to make over the next six months as it grapples with how best to keep rates affordable without compromising the things that make the city such a great place to live.
 
“The residents’ panel is just one of a range of ways we will be seeking community views before we develop a draft long term plan in April,” she says. “We’re looking to set up a group that represents different ages, parts of the city and a wide range of viewpoints.”
 
The aim is to set up a group of about 45 people – comprising a wide cross-section of the community – to consider the challenges the city faces and discuss the pros and cons of a range of options and ideas.
 
The Council will be inviting a number of people, who represent groups and organisations, to be part of the panel.  It also wants to hear from individuals who would be interested in taking part.
 
The panel is expected to meet four times between the end of January and early July with the first meeting on Thursday 29 January. Each meeting will be run by an independent facilitator and take two to three hours. Members will also need to spend time reading background information.
 
People wanting to register their interest or find out more about the panel can email panelnominee@wcc.govt.nz or phone 499 4444, ideally by Monday 12 January.
 

 
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