hawkesbaycouncilwatch

After many years of wet summers we return to a typical Hawkes Bay summer and as if we have never been there before we have people running short of water in areas that have been told time and time again that their situation is going to be as such in dry years and to over come the situation they need to put down deeper wells.
But no………….the easy way is to go to the media,bash the regional council and ask for a handout.
This is without discussing options such as water tanks that are pretty flash and can fit anywhere these days,or other methods of water saving.
Unfortunately the media like to hook in to the councils as well and all ratepayers then get the wrong end of the stick.

The new Chair of the regional council looked totally out of his depth(forgive the pun) when he appeared on TV news to try and waffle an explanation.Time to move on.

The Hastings District Council are preparing for a big round of decisions with the upcoming LTCCP.
As an early alert they have indicated that they will be spending $4.5m on reviewing the District Plan.
The cost is a big one but what makes it worse is that the indications are that they will borrow this money.
It is most unusual to borrow money to pay for a review as it is usually funded out of rates.
What does that tell ratepayers?

The contract for Napier Councils CEO is up for grabs.
It is an interesting situation where a CEO has been in place for 15 years and is available again.
Napier shows no sign of being in difficulty in any way at the present time and although there were turbulent times when Mayor Dick was in the chair they have not reappeared in recent years.
Some will say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it and others may say it’s time for a change.
Let’s  hope Napier make the right call.

The recent meeting held by HDC to update on the sports park was another fizzer.
Although 15 people turned up to hear the answers to previously submitted questions the result was disappointing.
Any question relating to financial well being was subject to commercial sensitivity.
Tenders for the grandstand have been extended to get more responses and the trust is hoping to start work on the grandstand soon.
Once again ratepayers have been left largely in the dark.
……..and Nelson Park lies waiting.

The Regional Council is proposing a new funding mechanism for HB Inc.
This body that is grabbing $1.2m of ratepayers money from the region, needs to be canned.
Changing the way this funding is raised is a huge mistake.What the hell have land valuations got to do with funding this no show.
It is questionable as to where this money disappears to and all we seem to know is  tourism is the main benefactor of this ratepayer subsidy.
It is even more concern that the Mayor of Hastings is on this board as well as the Sports Trust and Chair of Local Government NZ.
HB Inc needs to be sunk without trace and ratepayers relieved of their tourism funding burden.

The proposed changes to the RMA signalled by the new government could be a step in the right direction but it is very hard to tell at this stage.
The initial concern is one of participation and they need to get that right.
What may be missing is the huge change in the last few years where councils appear to be going to extremes to get people to provide extraordinary volumes of information that is really unnecessary.
The Act itself is not the culprit it is being made out to be but the planning documents of councils are in need of close perusal.
More to come.

The promised apology relating to the RC’s display over  home heating  plan change has appeared and is notable for its blatant promotion of councillors and full page extravagance.

There was no need to insert a full page advertisement and the council has never before listed councillors names and even committee chairs in such a statement.
The CEO may not be that savvy when it comes to subtle political promotion but it is time he is wisened up to those around him.

The plan change that has caused so much angst for the Regional Council is proving to be yet another central government initiative that was poorly thought through,lacked practical application and was based on spurious facts and figures.
It now is declared that sea spray can add to pm10 which had not been made clear before and anyone with any common sense would raise their eyebrows with facts like this.
Napier city council have been clear about what they think of this mess and good on them.
Its time the heat was put back on government and the timing couldn,t be better.
Ratepayers could do without crazy legislation such as this and the new National Government could gain kudos for applying some sanity.  

The appointment of Mr Dick to the Chair of the Regional Council is a major step backwards.

An ex Mayor of Napier who courted years of controversy, has no place on a council who is charged with environmental stewardship.The council has shifted position to one where the future of the council itself is in question and ratepayers will lose environmental funds to urban projects.
It says a lot for the dysfunctional makeup of this council and the ability of the ratepayers to genuinely weigh up the best options for this council.
It will be a difficult term for this council.
 

When one looks at the makeup of the hatchet brigade at the regional council it is illuminating to note that they compose two ex mayors,one ex MP and one ex chairman of the council.
It is an unhealthy makeup that underlines the danger in electing people who have been in power and wish to keep weilding that power.
It may be time to suggest that ex Mayors and MP’s cannot stand for office on local authorities for 10 years after holding office.
Regional Councils need people who are serious about the environment,not about the baubles of office.