Government help for Sarjeant Gallery possible

Prime Minister Helen Clark has offered to assist with funding for the conservation of art works at the Sarjeant Art Gallery.

Mayor Michael Laws, Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon and Cr Nicki Higgie met with Miss Clark on Tuesday, May 23, to discuss the conservation of art works at the Sarjeant Art Gallery, estimated to cost $400,000.

"Miss Clark expressed a strong view the works should be retained in the gallery and offered her and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs' assistance to find the funding to allow this", Cr Higgie said.

The meeting, instigated by the Prime Minister, proved "very positive", which left the Mayor and councillors with the feeling Miss Clark had a good understanding of the proposed cultural precinct.

Cr McKinnon says Miss Clark was mindful Wanganui has to conserve the arts and address immediate problems as well as future issues.

As well as the Sarjeant Art Gallery Heart of Wanganui project, the Mayor and councillors discussed a number of topics with the Prime Minister, including the UCOL campus development and the Whanganui riverbank redevelopment.

Mayor Laws says it was "an excellent" meeting and the Prime Minister seemed impressed with the whole vision for the cultural precinct, the UCOL redevelopment and the riverfront walkway.

The Prime Minister requested a further meeting in July when drawings of architects' proposals for the Heart of Wanganui cultural precinct are expected to be available.

Around 50 people presented oral submissions on the draft LTCCP to the full council at its meeting on Monday, May 29.

A total of 205 submissions were received.

Rural hall update
Following oral submissions at Monday's meeting, it was agreed that rural hall supporters will meet for a workshop with council representatives to work through the issues and come up with a package to satisfy Audit New Zealand.

It was also agreed that the Savage Club members air their thoughts at a mini-workshop with council representatives next week.

Next step for draft LTCCP
Councillors will meet in the Council Chamber at 9am on Tuesday, June 6, to discuss the final draft for the earthquake-prone buildings policy. Councillors will then work through the deliberation phase of the draft LTCCP at 9.30am. The meeting will be open to the public.

Youth Day Out

In the wake of the Youth Committee's successful send off to Youth Week on Saturday, May 20, the committee would like to acknowledge the support of the following organisations and individuals:

• Kingsgate Hotel
• YMCA
• Horsley Christie Lawyers
• AWA FM
• Ailsa Stewart
• ZM
• Woolworths
• Countdown
• H&A Print
• John Milnes
• Wanganui Police
• KFC
• Aramoho Fruit Mart
• Whitcoulls
• Embassy 3 Cinema
• Cheapskates
• Tower Music
• Subway
• Waste Management
• Harvey Norman
• Wanganui Basketball Association
• Legion of Frontiersmen

The committee looks forward to a bigger, brighter and better Youth Week in 2007!

The Council is seeking public submissions on its proposal to change representation for the 2007 election by:

• Reducing the number of Councillors to 10 (ten).
• Abolishing the urban and rural wards and having all Councillors elected at large.
• Retaining the Wanganui Rural Community Board with its geographical boundaries unchanged, with 6 (six) elected members, elected at large. Councillors will no longer be appointed to the Board.

Background Information

The Council is required to review its representation arrangements at least once every six years.

Existing Representation

The Council currently consists of the Mayor and 12 Councillors. The Councillors are elected by two wards, urban and rural, electing nine and three Councillors respectively. The rural ward also elects the Wanganui Rural Community Board of six members, to which the three rural ward Councillors are also appointed.

Maori Wards
The Council has previously determined (8 August 2005) not to resolve to establish Maori ward/s in the district. No electoral petition on the matter was received by the due date of 28 February 2006.

Voting System
The Council has resolved (8 August 2005) to use the First Past the Post voting system.

Reducing Council Numbers
Reducing Council numbers was supported by 60% of those who voted in Referendum '06. A reduced number of Councillors will still be able to effectively represent the community. Some internal Council costs may also be reduced.

Abolishing the urban and rural wards
Under new electoral rules, the present rural ward would be able to have only one Councillor, rather than the current three. A case for increased representation based on isolation, area or capital value can not be made. It is considered that it is better for the rural community to have some input to electing all Councillors, rather than electing just one for the rural ward.

The complying option of having one rural ward Councillor, six urban ward Councillors and three Councillors elected at large was considered and rejected due to its complexity.

Wanganui Rural Community Board
The rural community is distinct due to its environment, economic focus, infrastructural demands and access to facilities. With the loss of directly elected ward Councillors, the Wanganui Rural Community Board will be more important than in the past. The Wanganui Rural Community Board will continue to report directly to the Council. The Council will not appoint Councillors to the Wanganui Rural Community Board, although they may attend meetings if they wish.

Submissions
Copies of the representation review resolutions may be inspected at the Council Chambers, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, during normal business hours. Submissions on the proposals may be made in writing. The period for making submissions closes at 5pm on Friday, 7 July 2006.

Submissions should include your name and address and can be made in the following ways:

Post to: Representation Review Submissions, Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Wanganui
Fax to: (06) 349 0000
Deliver to: Customer Services Desk, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
Email us
Online

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Extraordinary Meeting - Tuesday, June 6 (Council Chamber - 9.00am)
- Draft Earthquake-Prone Building Policy and Draft Dangerous and Insanitary Building Policy.
- Deliberations - Draft 2006-2016 Long-term Council Community Plan.

Wanganui Rural Community Board - Thursday, June 8

Heritage Committee - Monday, June 12

Finance and Administration Committee - Tuesday, June 13

Community Development Committee - Wednesday, June 14 (3.30pm)
- Baxter Plan Change

Sport and Recreation Committee - Thursday, June 15 (1.00pm)

Community Development Committee - Thursday, June 15

Youth Committee - Monday, June 19 (Council Chamber)

Infrastructure Committee - Tuesday, June 20

Strategy Committee - Thursday, June 22 (Council Chamber)

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at 4.00pm in Committee Room 2, 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.