Hamilton City Council has wrapped up its Council in the Community dropin sessions, held across libraries and community centres during April to provide residents with opportunities to share with Elected Members about what matters most to them.

Councillor Angela O’Leary said the sessions provided a range of useful insights for Elected Members.

“Council in the Community was about meeting people where they are and listening first,” Councillor O’Leary said. “These were open and practical conversations about what is working well, opportunities for the city, and what people want Council to focus on.”

Elected Members also used the sessions as a chance to talk with residents about The Mayor’s Plan 2025 - 2028, the reduced rates increases in the draft Annual Plan, and proposed changes to fees and charges for central city parking and Hamilton Gardens.

Councillor O’Leary said there was a clear message about wanting to see the basics continuing to be done well.

“These conversations are an important complement to our formal consultation processes. They help Elected Members understand the experiences people are having across the city and ensure future decisions reflect what communities are telling us. Many people also told us they appreciated having this kind of opportunity to talk directly with Elected Members. They valued being able to have a simple, face to face conversation,” Councillor O’Leary said.

Feedback gathered through Council in the Community will help shape future engagement and inform upcoming decision-making, including the LongTerm Plan 2027–2037.

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