Cracker night for declaration

The inaugural City Council meeting where the new Mayor and Councillors will make their declarations is being held on Monday, November 5.


The declarations are the official swearing in of the city’s elected representatives for the next three years.


The ceremonial meeting focuses on the declarations, the election of a Deputy-Mayor, the committee structure, an explanation by Legal Counsel, John Annabell, about local government and speeches by CEO, Paddy Clifford and Mayor, Jono Naylor.


The inaugural Council meeting is part of a comprehensive Councillor induction and orientation programme which is held every three years following local authority elections. It began mid October and continues through until early December.


Organiser, Erin Rooney-Scotson, says the programme includes training in legislation and democratic processes, workshops on a series of issues currently facing the Council, a two-day seminar which focuses on strategy planning, the 10 Year Plan, the committee structure and the elected members’ aspirations for the next three years.


Other highlights of the programme include a tour of Council facilities, planned for elected members on Friday, November 23 and the first ordinary Council meeting of the new term on Monday, November 26.


Erin says the Council is also working with Local Government New Zealand to arrange for Councillors to attend a two-day training session in November.