The Sarjeant Art Gallery will get an almost $800,000 upgrade over the next 12 months, and Mayor Michael Laws says that the investment should increase both visitor and local traffic, and further enhance the Sarjeant's reputation.

"A good deal of maintenance had been put aside over recent years, in anticipation of the gallery extension project. Despite the likelihood of an extension being in this year's Referendum '08, the reality is that we need to upgrade the main building now."

Some of the contracts have been carried over from the 2007/08 financial year and were not cut by the Council's 'razor gang' earlier in the year.

The Sarjeant Gallery upgrade projects are:

Mayor Laws said that the Sarjeant upgrade was one of four major works projects for the Council in the 2008/09 financial year.

"The Sarjeant collection is probably the best provincial collection in the country. Last year, it attracted almost 22,000 visitors with 9000 being either from out of town or international.

"There can be no question that the Sarjeant and some of its collection are in need of some tender financial care – an investment in retaining the gallery's national reputation."

Mayor Laws said in addition to the Sarjeant Gallery upgrade, "the Council has dedicated $50,000 in the next 12 months to establishing an arts strategy, including the employment of a Wanganui arts developer".

"This is the most significant council investment in the Sarjeant Art Gallery in two decades."

A reduction in the Council's funding for the Whanganui Regional Museum is in line with cuts made throughout the Council's 2008/09 budget.

During the recent annual planning process, the Council voted to reduce the Museum's funding for the 2008/09 year by $50,000.

The subsequent decision by the Museum Board to cut back public opening hours, including closure on Sundays, was "disappointing but the Museum board's call", Mayor Michael Laws said.

"All aspects of the Council have taken cuts in the 2008/09 year because of the $2.7 million deficit in Wanganui Gas and forestry dividends, and the Museum is simply part of that process.

"In actual fact, the Library has taken a greater cutback in annual funding and it is not reducing its hours or Sunday services. The Museum board had other options and has good financial reserves, so it is ultimately their responsibility."

Mayor Laws said that unlike other aspects of the Council's operation, the Regional Museum is not a part of the Council.

"We don't run the Museum nor employ its staff. We simply own the building and fund the annual grant that we can afford. It is also noteworthy that despite being a regional museum, other neighbouring district councils do not contribute significant, if any, funding to the Museum."

Community organisations working within the Wanganui District are advised that applications for Community Contracts for the 2008/2009 financial year (July 1-June 30) are now invited.

The closing date for applications is Monday, 11 August 2008, at 5.00pm.

The Community Contracts programme provides funding to community organisations which provide service initiatives that:

• Support the 10-Year Plan
• Provide depth of value and benefit to the wider Wanganui community
• Increase community capacity in the Wanganui community

There is $80,000 of contestable funding available for the 2008/2009 year. Please note that the Community Contracts Fund is separate from the Impact Fund which supports initiatives that attract visitors and deliver a significant economic impact to Wanganui, and deliver sustainable programmes that raise the national profile of Wanganui.

Community organisations interested in Community Contract funding can obtain a specific application form, explanation notes, guidelines and criteria at:

• Wanganui District Council Office, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
• Community House, 53A Ridgway Street, Wanganui
• Wanganui District Library (Central City @ Queens Park, Mobile Library) www.wanganuilibrary.com

Thinking of applying?

Thinking of applying and not sure you meet the criteria? Please contact Keith Smith or Marion Gibbard at the Council, phone 349 0001, for further information.

Vacancies

Information Services Manager
Applications close 27 July 2008

Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
Applications close 8 August 2008

More information about these vacancies.

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.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Youth – Monday, July 14 (4.00pm)
- Appointment of New Youth Councillor; Minutes of Previous Meeting – 26 May 2008; Actions Arising from Previous Minutes; YMCA Wanganui; Youth Strategy 2008/09; Youth in Local Government Conference; Youth Project Co-ordinator's Report; Action Group Updates; Youth Week Report; Wotz da haps?

Hearings – Thursday, July 17 (2.00pm)
- Submissions to Gambling Venue Policy

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Friday, July 18 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)

Community Development – Tuesday, July 22 (3.00pm)

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, July 29 (3.00pm)

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held 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.