Community board's role

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 337, 29 May 1990, Page 8

Community board's role

Following much debate on the role of Community Boards, Ruapehu District Council Mayor Garrick Workman has issued the following statement. At its meeting held on 27 April the Council considered a report for Community Board remuneration. Prior to this report being prepared, recommendations on the matter had been received, as requested fforn each of the Boards and the Taumarunui Ward Committee. However, no clear cut preference emerged from the Boards as to the amount of remuneration they felt should be paid to them.

The Council, knowing it had inherited a tight financial situation, was reluctant to consider the matter further until it had been clearly established just what remuneration was appropriate under the circumstances. At my request, the matter was deferred until I had time to consult with the Boards and the Ward workload and was not as great or as demanding as originally anticipated. It became apparent very quickly that the real issue here was not so much a question of remuneration for the sake of it, but rather concern and frustration at the nature of their role and the feat Council may never provide for them the opportunity of performing functions and duties that were meaningful, if in fact no remuneration was paid. Maybe unreal expectations were generated before the 1989 elections regarding their role. Maybe Council has been remiss in not referring to the Boards more for their consideration. Whatever the case may be, it is obviously time we look closely at that hais been happening and determine just where w go from here. The functions of the Community Boards are as follows:

• The consideration of and reporting on all matter referred to it by the Council or any matter of interest or concern to the Community Board. • The overview of roadworks, water supply , sewerage, stormwater drainage, parks, recreational facilities, community activities, and traffic management within the community ("overview" in the New Zealand Pocket Oxford Dictionary is defined as 'general survey'. The intent of the legislation therefore is that Community Boards do not become involved in the minutiae of such services.) • The preparation of an annual submission to the budgetary process of the territorial authority for expenditure within the community. • Communication with community organisations and special interest groups within the community. • To perform such functions as are delegated to it by the Council which has the . power to delegate any of its functions, duties or powers except: a) The powers and duties conferred or imposed on the Council by the Public Works Act or the Town and Country Planning Act (with the exception of

hearing planning applications). b) The power to borrow money, to make a rate, to make a by-law or to enter into a contract otherwise in accordance with Section 4 of the Public Bodies Contracts Act 1959. c) The power to institute recovery of any amount in excess of $5,000. d) The power to acquire, hold or dispose of property. e) The power to appoint, suspend or remove staff. It would seem on reflection that all of these functions are being undertaken by the Board's in varying degrees. However, in respect of delegated authority only one specific duty so far has been handed to the Boards by Council. This is the duty of forming committees for the management of rural reserves and halls The difficulty arising here, where this delegation of responsibility is concerned, is that the Ruapehu District Council is structured in such a manner that most business is dealt with by the council itself. There is not much real scope therefore for the boards to perform functions of a delegated . nature. This combined with the fact that the responsibility for operational matters rests within the General Manager and the management team, has resulted in the situation developing where Board members are concerned, and are beginning to question the worth of their role within the whole organisation. One of those members, Robert Carter, Ohura Community

Board member spent time compiling a report on this issue that he felt worthy of Council's consideration. After expressing his views at the Ohura Board meeting he asked for the opportunity to address Council on the matter and in doing so received the full support of the board. He addressed Council at its meeting last Friday. Basically he suggested that Council must encourage and be sensitive to the views and needs of Community Boards. There must always be open and direct communications between the two and that public awareness of Community Boards needs raising., On the other hand Community Board members should 'pull finger' - become more productive in their role. In other words seek to discover the issues out there in the wards rather than wait for council to refer matters of interest or concern to them. He did point out though that some board members were already working hard out their behind the scenes whose efforts were not always recognised. Those members needed support and encouragement. What did emerge from Robert's address and the ensuring discussion was the belief that the Board's themselves must play a more active part in future by determining the needs and addressing the concerns of their wards. Particularly where matters of a social nature are concerned. It was generally agreed there could be greater communication with community organTurn page 9

Community boards

From page 8 isations and special interest groups within the communities than has been the case so far. Hopefully this exercise will lead to a better understanding between the council and its community boards of their respective roles and the manner in which we must all cope with the challenges an the constraints of the reforms that have occurred in Local Government here in the Ruapehu District. GS Workman Ruapehu District Mayor