Equity across the region is a major concern.

Equity across the region is a major concern. It seems as if the ARTA proposes that currently well resourced communities will enjoy their new libraries, upgraded swimming pools and developed transport hubs. But, those communities which have not yet been allocated funding for upgrading and improving local amenities could be left languishing.  Each example provided by the ATA describes how the Council will allocate funding and infers that the Local Board will have to impose a local rate if it wants other improvements even minor things such as increased opening hours ( refer library example p. 32).

Re NSTA article 26th February 2010

Perhaps the Remuneration Authority’s demands to increase Councillors’ pay are unwarranted but any informed person with even a passing interest in Council’s activities knows that workloads have markedly increased since the announcement of the Super City. And will continue to do so and not just because Council officers are devoting an at times unfair proportion of their day to transition demands. We are striving to ensure that our communities needs are addressed in the sure knowledge that local boards and even the Auckland Council will have be, perhaps for several years, bogged down in the seething cesspool of transition. Many projects that we planned to develop and complete over several years now have to be well advanced before October. This is in the knowledge that our elected members will possess little power to deliver to local communities what local communities want. I am confident that well developed plans will be included by the new Council.


But, plans that are not well advanced will have little chance of being included let alone implemented and at the best extensively delayed. Councillors and officers are continually reviewing communities’ expectations of needs and striving to ensure they are met otherwise they will drop away when Hide’s undemocratic ‘beast’ emerges after November. So town centre plans such as those in Takapuna, Highbury, Northcote and Beach Haven have to be pushed along as fast as possible. Other examples include notable the tree schedule plan change to protect significant trees including our coastal pohutukawas, heritage protection plan changes, a heritage strategy, parks and reserve assessments and purchases and ensuring all our community groups and amenities are secure during the transition. To suggest such work ceases in July is disingenuous.

Local boards will get the power to decide the colour of rubbish bins

Whoopee! The new local boards will get the power to decide the colour of rubbish bins in their town centres. But unfortunately little else. The ART discussion paper distributed this week provides the local boards with the powers to engage, consider, consult, host and advocate for their communities’ views. But real decision-making on their areas (which will rival the size of actual cities like Napier and Invercargill) will be nonexistent in reality. One concern that leaps out of the pages is with equity across the region. It seems as if well resourced communities will enjoy their new libraries, upgraded swimming pools and developed transport hubs. But, those communities which have not yet been allocated funding for upgrading and improving local amenities could be left languishing. Each example provided by the ATA describes how the Council will allocate funding and infers that the Local Board will have to impose a local rate if it wants other improvements such as opening hours ( refer library example p. 32).


The obvious disconnect is between democracy and services. The new Council actually has few powers to delegate even if it wanted to. The real action is established in commercial entities the 6-8 CCOs. At present North Shore City’s community boards have arrange of powers including “To give or withhold affected party approval under s94 of the Resource Management Act in respect of matters affecting Council property”, “To hear and determine submissions on Reserves Act 1991 functions.” , “To make grant allocations and disbursements” , “To authorise all parking and traffic restrictions on roads” , “To approve the erection of signs and hoardings” approval for local events, and so on as well as the usual ability to recommend, and propose.

These powers, minor as they may be, seem to be reduced even further which means a community’s democratic input into its own neighbourhood has been dramatically eroded. The return of the CCO functions to the new Auckland Council and realistic delegations to Local Boards will provide an enhanced Auckland community and real local democracy.

Chinese New Year celebrated in Northcote

Northcote does a number of things right but when it comes to celebrating the Chinese New Year no-one does it better than Northcote. With sun shining thousands turned out to see the Lion Dance and browse the stalls. Well done Dean, Martin and all those who contributed to the organising to ensure the success that was apparent on the day.  For more photos go to http://grantgillon4shore.ning.com/

NORTHCOTE COLLEGE 1ST XV RUGBY TEAM

NORTHCOTE COLLEGE 1ST XV RUGBY TEAM


Help them get there!

Fundraising and eagerly seeking Sponsorship to help us take a tour to South Africa 2010.

Northcote College Rugby South Africa Tour September 2010 - an experience of a life time!

Northcote College is planning to take a rugby squad on tour to South Africa in September 2010. A once in a life time experience, an opportunity to improve rugby and life skills and to promote Northcote College Rugby. This will be the first time in 20 years the college has taken a Rugby Team overseas.



Got any odd jobs around the house? Does your business need an extra hand? Dish washing, lawn mowing, the outside of your house need a clean? Our boys are looking for work. Or make a donation to the Team fund.



For more information please visit http://www.facebook.com/l/a9e15;www.northcote.school.nz/?page=1264666339 , or contact Charles Wallace, Teacher in Charge of the Boys - 0211341855 or southafricatrip@northcote.school.nz



Birkenhead / Northcote is a fantastic community - and we thank you for your support.

Intensive Madness

Many residents will be unaware of the requirements forced upon North Shore to allow large multi-storied developments in even our smaller community centres. Government and regional planners required North Shore City to accept plan changes primarily to effect an ‘efficient transport strategy’ with scant attention given o the impact of small local communities such as Highbury and Beach Haven. Local amenities such as adequate reserves, neighbourhood parks, shops, medical facilities and other services are essential to avoid the social problems that often accompany unplanned intensification. I am hoping that a neighbourhood park or civic square can be introduced into the Highbury and Beach Haven shopping areas. However whatever your views, the Plan Change for Beach Haven is now subject to substantial further detailed investigation and consultation. Residents are encouraged to attend and contribute to an ideas and project planning workshop on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 of February at the Beach Haven Methodist Church Hall (behind the traffic roundabout in Beach Haven’s centre). The idea is to help the decision on a particular project to enhance our local Beach Haven community. Further consultation is also planned for the Highbury town centre.