The Council has finalised its Annual Plan for 2008/09, signalling a strong commitment to combating anti-social activity in the district and approving an average rates increase of 4.7%.

After re-examining the financial assumptions around the issues of tagging, vandalism, littering and other anti-social behaviour, the council unanimously resolved to increase the provision of CCTV cameras, upgrade lighting in certain public areas, increase security budgets and appoint an enforcement officer.

The cost of these new measures is an additional $245,000 in the 2008/09 financial year.

"Making our city and community safer was the prime imperative at the council meeting," Mayor Michael Laws said.

"Given the gaps in policing and enforcement, we are given no option but to plug the gaps. And for every dollar we spend in this area, that's a dollar less that community groups get or the ratepayer can keep in their pocket."

Mayor Laws said he estimated that policing and preventing anti-social behaviour, plus repairing the damage, "was worth at least 1% of that 4.7% average rates increase".

The actual cost to every ratepayer of anti-social activity and damage will be itemised on rates bills.

Capital projects
Major capital projects added to the Annual Plan 2008/09 include –

• an upgrade of the Sarjeant Art Gallery ($150,000)
• improving drainage at the Laird Park netball courts($41,000)
• upgrading the council's data systems ($100,000)
• purchasing and upgrading CCTV cameras in public areas ($100,000)

Operational expenditure
New operational expenditure in the 2008/09 financial year, on top of that already flagged in the draft Annual Plan, includes –

• Increased interest and inflation charges ($94,000)
• Upgrade of graffiti and vandalism teams, CCTV upgrade, enforcement officer, security monitoring and establishment of 'city rangers' ($245,000)
• Audit Office requirements re building valuations ($70,000)
• Further research on Events Centre proposal ($50,000)
• Funding an arts strategy including an arts development officer ($50,000)
• Funding a Wanganui Visitor Strategy ($50,000)
• Retaining external directors for Wanganui Holdings Ltd ($50,000)
• Paying Wharf Street rentals for recreational fishers ($27,000)
• Grant to the Wanganui East Pool Trust ($20,000)

The overall impact of the changes is an average rates increase for 2008/09 of 4.7% - exactly matching the inflation projected for the next 12 months by Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard.

"There are some noteworthy aspects to the deliberations. First, we are seeking to mandate our family-friendly philosophy and that drove many of the decisions.

"Second, that a number of groups seeking additional funds will be disappointed but have second chances if they apply to the council's community grants scheme or impact fund programmes. These allocate $80,000 and $200,000 respectively over the next 12 months.

"Third, that we expect the Wanganui economy – in line with national trends – to slow and possibly contract over the next 12 months. That will cause financial pressures upon the community and we could not contemplate a rates rise above that of inflation."

Mayor Laws said that the lack of central government action on the Shand Inquiry into Rates "does this administration no credit. Our ratepayers are paying for new responsibilities being loaded onto us all the time by central government. We estimate that burden at $1.5 million per annum. It is grossly unfair".

We want to find out about your vision for Wanganui's future.

You can have your say by answering a few simple questions on this page (submissions closed on 30 June 2008).

Or come along and talk to us at the River Traders Market on Saturday, June 7.

On 19 May 2008, the Wanganui District Council approved the Draft Sarjeant Gallery Collections Policy 2008–2011.

The Council now invites the public to provide feedback on the draft policy.

Consultation
Copies of the Sarjeant Gallery Collections Policy 2008–2011 and submission forms are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Service Desk at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, the District Library, Queens Park, and the Sarjeant Gallery, Queens Park.

The consultation period will be from 12 June to 1 August 2008.

Submissions are welcomed and should be addressed to:
Sarjeant Gallery Collections Policy
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

or delivered to our Customer Services Desk at 101 Guyton Street, faxed to (06) 349 0000, or emailed to us.

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, 1 August 2008.

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Pete Gray, Deputy Community & Cultural Manager, at the District Council, telephone (06) 349 0001 or email Pete Gray.

On 19 May 2008, the Council approved the Wanganui District Council Draft Arts Policy 2008 for public consultation.

The Council invites the public to provide feedback on the draft policy.

The objectives of the Wanganui District Council Arts Policy are:

1. To build Wanganui's profile as a centre of excellence for the arts through improved management, marketing and promotion of the arts.
2. To build creative capacity.
3. To maximise the tourism and economic potential that can be derived from the arts sector.
4. To improve access to and participation in arts activities.
5. Our built environment reflects our culture through the use of public art.

Consultation
Copies of the Wanganui District Council Draft Arts Policy and submission form are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Service Desk at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street; District Library, Queens Park; Community Arts Centre, Taupo Quay, Wanganui. The consultation period will be from 5 June 2008 to 18 July 2008.

Submissions are welcomed and should be addressed to:

Wanganui District Council Draft Arts Policy
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

or delivered to our Customer Services Desk at 101 Guyton Street, faxed to (06) 349 0000, or emailed to us.

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Friday, 18 July 2008.

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Marie Gorinski at the District Council, telephone (06) 349 0001 extension 8066 or email Marie Gorinski.

Road Asset Engineer/Performance Analyst/Design Surveyor
Wanganui Alliance

The Wanganui District Council and Downer EDi Works have entered into an Alliance Contract to proactively manage the district's roading network to meet the expectations of the Council's stakeholders within the budgets set by the Council and in compliance with Land Transport NZ strategies and requirements. The Alliance will be required to adopt long term asset management principles in all respects of its work and provide advice and planning to assist the Alliance team members in preparation of its long term plans.

With the commencement of the Wanganui Alliance we have current openings for a suitably qualified and experienced Road Asset Engineer, a Performance Analyst, and a Design Surveyor to join this exciting new opportunity to work in a collaborative environment. The successful applicants will be responsible for providing asset management and surfacing services to the Alliance whilst enhancing the services we provide our clients and developing outstanding and innovative maintenance outcomes for the Alliance.

The primary focus of the role will be to assess the maximum value for Wanganui District Council and the Alliance in the management of infrastructure assets with a view to long term sustainability of both the assets and the client relationships.

If this sounds like you and if you are interested in being part of our future whilst building your own then please contact Rui Leitao on (06) 349 0531 or Andrew Wallace on (06) 344 7259; or e-mail your CV to Rui Leitao or Andrew Wallace by Friday, 20 June 2008.

The by-election for a new Wanganui District Councillor will be held in June.

A by-election is required following the resignation of Cr Marty Lindsay who is taking up a career opportunity in Australia.

Wanganui District Council Electoral Officer Noeline Moosman has set the by-election date for Saturday, June 21.

Nominations for candidates closed on Friday, May 2.

Voting will be by postal voting. The voting period will be from Friday, 30 May 2008, to 12 noon Saturday, 21 June 2008.

More information is available on this page.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, June 17
- Finance and Corporate Action Plan; Property Group Activity Report, Part 1; Issues Arising from Annual Plan 2008/09; Statements of Intent; Schedule of Sealed Documents; Financial Commitments; Infrastructure Projects Update; Demolition Consent Fees – Damage to Council Footpaths and Roading Assets; Moutoa Quay – Proposed Leased Parking; Cycling Implementation Plan Update; Southern Gateway Update; Wanganui District Councils' Forestry Joint Committee. Confidential items: Property Group Activity Report, Part 2; Monthly Treasury Management Report; Proposed Property Development – 507 Heads Road; Wanganui District Holdings Report; Wanganui Gas Report; Shared Services Report Update; Chief Executive's Report.

Harbour – Monday, June 30 (2.30pm, Committee Room 2)

Council – Monday, June 30
- The Council will consider reports from all Committee meetings held in May/June.

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.