Neighbourhood c’ttee plan

Press, 10 May 1979, Page 6

Neighbourhood c’ttee plan

Christchurch community groups will have a chance on May 23 either to support or oppose the idea of setting up City Council neighbourhood committees. They have been invited to a public meeting with the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay) and members of the council’s neighbourhood subcommittee.

They have also been sent “A Voice for your Neighbourhood,” a publication prepared by the British Department of the Environment.

A year ago, the City Council decided in principle to establish a few neighbourhood committees. In a letter to city groups, the Town Clerk (Mr J. H.

Gray) has emphasised that such committees in Auckland have not meant the disbanding of existing organisations Instead, it has been common for local groups to nominate representatives for a neighbourhood committee that could strengthen the voice of a suburb. Proposed discussion guidelines, showing the pros and conns of such committees, have been sent to city groups. One suggested drawback is finance, since money to run the committees would come from rates. The Auckland City Council has 14 committees which cost about $45,000 last year.