The Council's radical new power-sharing plan, promoted by Mayor Michael Laws, has elevated the status and responsibility of councillors as civic leaders.

Individual councillors will be the Council's spokesperson, policy initiator and watchdog on issues relating to their allocated responsibility. It gives them an increased opportunity to lead Council and improve their leadership responsibilities and skills and is unique in New Zealand local government.

Mayor Laws will chair Council meetings and also take shared responsibility for the Health portfolio. Other councillor responsibilities (together with contact details) are:

Cr Dot McKinnon
Chair: Finance and Infrastructure
Email – dot.mckinnon@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 349 0044

Cr Ray Stevens
Chair: Community Development
Email – ray.stevens@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 345 2083

Cr Sue Westwood
Chair: Hearings Committee; Senior Citizens; Community Issues (shared)
Email – sue.westwood@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 348 4469

Cr Randhir Dahya
Civil Defence; Law & Order (including CCTV)
Email – randhir.dahya@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 343 7853

Cr Barbara Bullock
Economic Development (including WINC/Wanganui Holdings)
Email – barbara.bullock@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 344 5486

Cr Rangi Wills
Maori/Iwi Issues; Heritage
Email – rangi.wills@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 348 8338

Cr Nicki Higgie
Environmental Issues; Arts; Community Issues (shared)
Email – nicki.higgie@waganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 342 7857

Cr Philippa Baker-Hogan
Sport & Recreation
Email – philippa.baker-hogan@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 349 0060

Cr Rana Waitai
Port & Harbour; Health (shared)
Email – rana.waitai@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 345 1024

Cr Danny Jonas
Chair: Youth Committee; UCOL/Private Training Establishment (PTE) Liaison
Email – danny.jonas@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 348 4566

Cr Allan Anderson
Tourism (including Major Regional Initiative)
Email – allan.anderson@wanganui.govt.nz
Phone (06) 342 1722

To contact the Mayor direct please phone (06) 349 0525 or email – michael.laws@wanganui.govt.nz

Due to the resignation of Cr Marty Lindsay to take up an employment position in Australia, the Council is required by the Electoral Law Act 2001 to hold another by-election.

This will be held on Saturday, 21 June 2008, with voting papers sent out to all registered voters from Friday, 30 May 2008. The last day for nominations for the by-election is this Friday, 2 May 2008, at noon.

Each candidate must be nominated on the appropriate nomination paper obtainable from the Electoral Officer, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and must be accompanied by a deposit of $200 GST inclusive, which may be paid by cash, cheque (made out to Wanganui District Council) or EFTPOS. Candidates may submit a candidate profile statement with their nomination paper for sending out with the voting documents to electors. An attachment to the nomination paper outlines the rules and procedures governing candidate profile statements.

Time is running out to see the Paper, Paint & Photographs exhibition at the Sarjeant Gallery.

The exhibition includes fine drawings, etchings, painting and photography from the Gallery's Historical Collection, selected by Senior Curator Greg Anderson.

The exhibition finishes on Sunday, May 4.

The photo is of Madonna della Sedia, UNKNOWN after RAPHAEL
Date of the original: 1512–1514

Digitisation process

Council has commenced its digitisation process which involves the scanning of all property file plan packet information.

There may be some delays accessing certain property files. However, this will be minimal and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience you may experience during this time.

Summary of Information

In accordance with Section 83(1)(a)(i) of the Local Government Act 2002 and the Gambling Act 2003, the Wanganui District Council gives notice of its intention to review the Gambling Venue Policy 2004. Submissions are now invited on the review.

Process
The review of the Wanganui District Council's Gambling Venue Policy 2004 will be publicly advertised and submissions invited from 17 April 2008 to 23 May 2008. The Wanganui District Council will hear submissions and determine the policy in June 2008.

Information
Further information relating to the Gambling Venue Policy 2004 is available from Customer Services, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui or may be obtained from Customer Services, Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001, fax (06) 349 0000 or email us.

Further information includes:

• Gambling Venue Policy 2004 – policy being reviewed (PDF, 90KB)
• Statement of Proposal – Gambling Venue Policy (PDF, 27KB)

Submission process
Submissions should be in writing and addressed to:

Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui
Attention: Stuart Hylton

To assist the submission and hearing process please endeavour when making a submission to –

• Refer to a specific point or rule within the Gambling Venue Policy 2004 (use heading references).
• State whether you support or oppose the specific point or rule.
• State clear reasoning for your decision.
• State what change, if any, you would like the Council to make.
• State whether you personally want to be heard in respect of your submission.
• Ensure your full contact details are supplied.

Submissions close on Friday, 23 May 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 opened on Friday, April 4, and close at 12 noon on Friday, May 2. Nomination forms are available from the Electoral Officer.

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

Hearings – Thursday, May 1 (2pm, Committee Room 2)
- Submissions to Draft Trade Waste Bylaw.

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, May 6
- Executive Office Activity Report; Quarterly Report 31 March 2008; Dog Control Fees – 2008/09; Local Government New Zealand Membership; Schedule of Sealed Documents; Financial Commitments; Infrastructure Projects Update; Demolition Consent Fees; Review of Sprinkler Restrictions; Proposed Bus Stop – Wilson Street; Taupo Quay Pedestrian Crossing; State Highway 3 Carlton Avenue/London Street Intersection with Purnell Street; Virginia Lake Restoration Project. Confidential Items: Actions Arising from Previous Minutes; Monthly Treasury Management Report; Debtor Write-off; Cemetery Debt; Wanganui Gas Update.

Council Meeting – Monday, May 19
- The Council will consider reports from all Committee meetings held in April and May.

Council Meeting – Thursday, May 22 (9am-4pm)
- Hearings of Submissions to draft Annual Plan 2008/09

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.

Meeting cancellation

The Hearings Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 15, is cancelled as there is no business to transact.