Media Release Tuesday, 28 May
NOTE: The Kuaotunu RRA has withdrawn from the Alliance and did not agree with what was published on the front age of last weeks issue of The Informer (Sec. Ian Preece)
Ratepayers Alliance Wants Answers from Council
Newly formed and understood to be unique for the Coromandel Peninsula, an alliance of residents and ratepayers’ groups now wants their local council to front up on a variety of community issues.
The alliance was formed in response to concerns that both Thames Coromandel District Councillors and Council staff were not listening to the communities or appropriately consulting with them.
Now the alliance wants to see community empowerment reinstated, something the current council and the one before it has moved away from.
This was confirmed by the alliance spokesman Rob Boston, who is also chairman of the Whangamata Ratepayers Association.
Mr Boston said the approach to council was supported by 12 residents, ratepayers and community organisations across the Coromandel Peninsula. He said several alliance meetings had been held, including one with the mayor and councillors. At the most recent meeting the formal approach to council was determined.
The alliance has requested the council respond to four matters the first being the re-establishment of the community empowerment model.
A response is requested by the end of June to the following:
i) The reintroduction of the community empowerment model covering both operational and fiscal matters – thereby enabling community decision making by community boards.
ii) That council’s primary focus be on core services – roading, storm, waste and drinking water, rubbish and recycling – not on social services.
iii) That council commit to undertake genuine and proactive community consultation underpinned by transparent communication on matters relating to local communities.
iv) The development and implementation of a sustainable economic growth policy for the Coromandel Peninsula.
Mr Boston said the approach had been circulated to the members of residents and ratepayers’ associations – the council’s response will be shared with them. He believed the mayor fully understood the reach and impact such a group could achieve, having previously chaired the Whitianga Residents and Ratepayers Association.
For further comment please contact: Richard Shelford-Woodcock – Phone: 0273 053 657
Email: coroalliance@gmail.com
A similar letter has been sent to the Mayor, Len Salt and copied to all TCDC Councillors and Community Board members requesting a response by 21 June, 2024.
Editor’s Note: The Informer has had two communications regarding the fact that the front page editorial was ‘misinformed’ in that not all 17 Residents and Ratepayers are part of the Alliance, and neither do all agree with what was written. Kuaotunu has specifically asked to be omitted and for the Informer to retract what has been written as untrue. I cannot. Our intention was to cover the broad spirit of unity and we were aware of the 10 Associations meeting. We should have said 7 were absent. I attempted to get that message across but it was not clear. We were not correct in stating everyone was in agreement. I apologise for any offense caused.
The letter above reflects that 12 Residents and Ratepayers are of one mind on some important matters regarding the way the budget of TCDC is to be allocated.
Please Note: – While the Informer Editor does not always agree with the content delivered, she stands by our right to “Free Speech” for everyone. This is not common in today’s media, particularly as she does sometimes get criticised and abused by those who do not understand that the content is not necessarily her opinion.
