Key issues
• Equipping the community to participate in Local Government
• Grants are a limited resource to be applied equitably
• There is a tension between implementation of the Halls Policy and the community's desire to ensure Halls are retained
• Council intends to exit from the provision of elderly persons housing as soon as possible
What we do now
Council recognises that there are strong linkages between the economic growth of the District and social development of the community. Through its various activities, such as recreation, grants to community organisations and the provision of public facilities, Council contributes to the social fabric of the District. However, we would like to identify better ways of reaching all sectors of the Kaipara community and, to this end, a small amount of funding is provided in this part of the Long Term Council Community Plan for improving the way we communicate and work with the community and to encourage participation in Local Government.
Other activities included in this section are participation in significant community events, annual grants to community organisations and Council's current responsibilities relating to elderly persons housing.
All community halls are run by local committees, which are responsible for the maintenance and equipment in the halls and grounds. Currently, Council has responsibility for protecting the structural integrity of the halls. However, during 2001/02 Council developed a new policy for the management of community halls that involves placing halls in community ownership over the next five years. This new policy is currently being implemented.
Currently, Council owns elderly persons housing in Dargaville and Ruawai and owns and operates elderly persons housing in Mangawhai.
Why we do it
• To encourage participation in all aspects of Local Government
• To provide leadership and advocacy for the community with Central Government and other organisations
• To work in partnership with Central Government and other organisations for the benefit of the Kaipara community and promote self help
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Social development contributes to the following Community Outcomes: |
How this activity or service contributes: |
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Strong communities |
Helping communities to achieve their aspirations |
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Safety and good quality of life |
Providing facilities that encourage social interaction and healthy pursuits |
What we agree to provide to the community
Assistance to community projects and organisations to help build strong communities.
Providing opportunities to equip people to participate in Local Government.
Measuring progress
• Involvement of at least three Kaipara schools in the Annual Plan process
• The community informed through press releases and the Mayor's bi-monthly newsletter of any potential changes in the role of local government in social development
• Facilitation of or assistance given to at least three significant community events by 30 June 2004
• Grants applied in accordance with Council's Grants Policy
What is planned in 2004/05 …
• Operational grants to community organisations to assist them in running their operations (including Hall Committees, Citizens Advice Bureau, Mangawhai Information Group, Northern Life Guards, Sports Northland) |
• Rate remissions in accordance with the Local Government Rating Act 2002 |
• Nominal grants to reflect rent concessions to groups or societies. Nominal grants do not involve monies paid to the occupier |
• Acknowledgement of significant achievements by Citizens' Awards, Peer Support Awards and Secondary School Prizes |
• Supporting projects which equip the community to participate in Local Government community consultation |
• As signaled in the Long Term Financial Strategy 2001, it is recognised that it is not appropriate for Council to be involved in the provision of elderly persons housing and Council will exit this activity by 2005. However, Council acknowledges its responsibilities to tenants |
Future plans (July 2005 - June 2014)
• Developing partnerships with Central Government and local groups
• Monitoring and responding to changes in Government's social policies and directions
• Implementing Council's Grants Policy and Halls Policy
• Continuing to facilitate or assist with significant community events
Projected expenditure
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2003/04
$000 |
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2004/05
$000 |
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2005/06
$000 |
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2006/07
$000 |
 |
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Operating Costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Social Development |
20 |
|
30 |
|
40 |
|
50 |
|
Community Grants and Rents |
257 |
|
401 |
|
401 |
|
401 |
|
Elderly Persons Housing |
93 |
|
93 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
370 |
|
524 |
|
441 |
|
451 |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominal Rentals ex Property Account |
175 |
|
175 |
|
175 |
|
175 |
|
Elderly Persons Housing Rental |
154 |
|
154 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
329 |
|
329 |
|
175 |
|
175 |
|
Net Cost of Service |
(41) |
|
(195) |
|
(266) |
|
(276) |
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Funded by |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Equity Balances (Note 1) |
(61) |
|
(61) |
|
- |
|
- |
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General Rate |
102 |
|
256 |
|
266 |
|
276 |
Note 1
The $61,000 operating surpluses from Elderly Persons Housing are applied to reduce the internal loan which was advanced to this Activity from General Funds in 1999/2000.
Comment
• The 2005/06 cost decrease reflects the proposed exiting from the provision of elderly persons housing
• The new Grants Policy is expected to fund at similar levels to the present
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