Waimarino County Council briefs

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 11, 6 August 1985, Page 5

Waimarino County Council briefs

At the beginning of last week's Waimarino County Council meeting, councillors stood in silence in memory of former councillor, Ivan Carter, who died recently. Chairman of the county, Mr Qruce Berry, paid tribute to Mr Carter's commitment and resourcefulness which played a big part in ensuring the development of the county after World War II. Mr Carter's contacts proved invaluable in maintaining the progress of the county's bridging programme despite post-war steel shortages, Mr Berry said. ★ ★ ★ The council decided at last week's meeting, to write to the chairman of the Local Government Commission, Mr Brian Elwood, to seek clarification on several matters relating to the amalgamation issue. Councillors want to know how long a Waimarino District Council, if formed, would be allowed to remain in existence. During discussions with the Waimarino County Council and Raetihi and Ohakune borough councils during a recent visit to the area, Mr Elwood said a district council could be formed, but after three to five years, the newly formed council might find its population base was still too small to support a full range of services. The council might then

have to be enlarged by a further amalgamation, he said. Cr John Martin said he had become concerned that some later statements reportedly made by Mr Elwood afa Taihape Borough Council meeting and in Wanganui seemed to contradict the impression he had left with the county council on the length of time a proposed Waimarino District Council might be left undisturbed. Staff could not be employed if it was not known how long they would be working before some future amalgamation might necessitate redundancies. And redundancy settlements for any staff hired after the formation of a Waimarino District Council could prove expensive, he said. ★ ★ ★ Councillors confirmed the county's estimates and agreed to strike a rate 12.33% higher than last year. The council also backed a suggestion from Cr John Martin that next year's estimates contain two extra pages which could provide more detailed information about the council's financial position. Cr Martin suggested next year's estimates show fuller details of loan payments, payment dates and sinking funds. With an amalgamation between the county and the

Raetihi and Ohakune boroughs possible, councillors could expect ratepayers to ask what the county's exact financial position was. It was important councillors were able to supply the information, Cr Martin said. ★ ★ ★ There has been talk of phasing out "special purpose" Government funding — which is the county's source of revenue for developing the Ohakune Mountain Road. The subject was raised by Cr John Martin, who is a county representative on the Ohakune Mountain Road Committee. The council received only $15,000 of a $40,000 snow clearing grant earlier this year. In March the council received its annual maintenance grant for the road but uncertainty has grown about future funding after Government talk of applying the user pays principle to tourist roads, and the possible phasing out of special purpose funding. AHI representatives on the committee had a number of ideas for alternative funding of the road if Government money was going to be reduced, but first it was necessary to find out what the Government's position was, Cr Martin said. The council decided to write to Works Minister Fraser Coleman asking what the Government has in mind for funding work on the road.