Sussing out the options
An independent residents survey has revealed over half of the community believes the primary role of the Cambridge Community Board is to advocate for its residents. This response supports the importance and expectations that residents place on the board to represent their interests and concerns effectively and signals that a significant portion of the community continues to look to the board to be their voice to Waipā District Council.
Le Quesnoy Delegation in Cambridge welcomed to the Town Hall by Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley
As we move through the second half of our three-year term, we recognise our important role in representing the community’s needs, especially in complex and controversial issues such as the Cambridge Connections project. With the recent release of the independent review into Cambridge Connections, we have reflected on our role in the project. From early in the process, the board recognised the potential impact the project could have on the community, and we took proactive steps to advocate for the community’s needs and concerns. We worked hard to make sure our public forums were a welcoming space, where everyone’s opinions could be presented. We worked closely with council staff and elected members making sure the community’s voice was heard and considered in the decision-making process and we stayed close to those in the community most affected.
Susan O’Regan
We welcomed mayor Susan O’Regan’s decision to have the process independently reviewed and believe it showed a commendable step in learning where shortcomings had been and addressing them head-on. We acknowledge the review highlighted the same concerns and considerations the board were hearing from the community and were encouraged to see council’s commitment to the future transparency, accountability and improvement of future Cambridge Connections work. We were also pleased to hear the mayor and councillors agree the reset suggested by staff was not significant enough and they wanted a slower, more community-focused process. The continued involvement of the community board was also encouraged, a further nod to our role in this important project. We are hopeful the next steps in the Cambridge Connections work will show a greater focus on working alongside the community, fostering trust and confidence amongst residents, whilst working together for our town’s transport goals.
There is a lot of work to come, and the community board is looking forward to our role in this important project. We welcome your feedback on this or any other issue concerning you. Our monthly public forum is open to anyone in the community wishing share their concerns or opinions.
Council is also undertaking a representation review, and we are considering our own submission and encourage the community to also have their say. Consultation closes on September 5 and the focus of the review is to better understand how people want to be represented around the council table, and if there is an opportunity to make changes to the ward structure or the number of councillors.
Council will adopt its final proposal later this year, so that any changes to the structure are in place in time for the 2025 local authority elections.
See: Mapping out Waipa
See: The numbers game
New rural ward, eight councillors?
