"Please Come," Invites Mayor

Fancy a mayoral chat, with ‘biscuits and a cuppa’ with the council?

“Then please come to the discussion forums for our Community Plan,” urges Tararua Mayor Maureen Reynolds.

With the draft Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) available for public consultation the council is making a big effort to engage with the public on a less formal basis.

So forget the structured public meetings and turn up for a ‘one to one’ chat with councillors, staff and the mayor.

While numbers had not been huge so far, the response and the depth of individual discussions had been very pleasing, Mrs Reynolds said.

There is plenty to discuss, for instance the proposed 8.9% rates increase for 2009/10 and 12% for 2010/11.

It was very important that ratepayers understood the reasons for the proposals, expressed their views and made submissions, the mayor said.

Each forum is from 3-7pm and there are four left: Pahiatua April 22 (today) and April 30 at the Pahiatua service centre, Woodville April 23 at the Woodville school hall and Dannevirke April 29 at the council chamber.