TVCB to make submission on delegations
The Teviot Valley Community Board (TVCB) will be making a verbal submission to the Central Otago District Council at the February meeting in regard to the proposed changes to delegations of community boards.
The TVCB, which met in Roxburgh today (Thursday 8 February 2024) was the last of the Central Otago district’s four community boards to meet and discuss their delegated powers and role in decision making.
Two former community board members spoke in the public forum regarding their concerns that the proposed changes would lead to a loss of community voice, a view shared by TVCB member Gill Booth when the report was later discussed at the meeting.
Central Otago District Council Chief Executive Peter Kelly reiterated the contents of his report when he spoke at the meeting: It is proposed that much of the delegated authority given to community boards be returned to Council. Also, that the “delegation by exception” be removed and that community boards have specific powers to act.
Instead, community boards would be tasked with advocating and gaining feedback from a grassroots level within their wards in accordance with provisions in the Local Government Act 2002, and then be able to feed this back to Council.
These changes acknowledge the ongoing importance of the community boards in being a strong voice for their community, while ensuring that a whole district view is taken in critical decisions that are currently facing the community.
The other attending TVCB members, when asked to give their views, including chair Norm Dalley, Cr Sally Feinerman, Mark Jessop acknowledged the pros and cons of the proposed changes. However, the board opted to discuss the matter amongst themselves to formulate a response that could be presented to the Council meeting on 28 February.
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