Mitchell Jordan
Mitchell Jordan – Cambridge Community Board
1. Should councillors sit on the two community boards or should it be just those elected to the board by the public for that specific role? (50 words)
I personally think that the community boards should have councillors from their area sitting on the community board so that they can still be involved in the community and still able to contribute to their community while being on the ground with the board.
2. Would you support a Māori ward seat on the community boards? (50 words)
I was the first supporter of Māori wards when it first came up in 2014 in New Plymouth and still have the belief that Māori should be at the table and play an equal part in their community. They don’t want to take over, they want a seat at the table.
3. Should the central business district be the main hub for retail and business or should the 15 minute neighbourhood strategy in Ahu Ake be adopted? (50 words)
I believe that some parts of this strategy is needed like having a supermarket and local entities in a short walk especially as the population is growing and the transport network is getting more needed. We need to remember to always support the community especially its vibrant and ever-busy CBD.
4. Community board chairs sat in on annual plan, long term plan and other council business during this term. Is that a good thing or it doesn’t go far enough? Te Kanohi representatives have speaking and voting rights at committee meetings, should community board chairs be allowed to have that also? (50 words)
Community board chairs should sit in on the long-term plan because it’s their community that is affected and deserves a voting and speaking right. Community boards are the front line and beneficial for a community so having the chair there is needed for their community to have a say.
5. In the case of the Blue Blob in Cambridge and the Kihikihi Cycleway, the community boards weren’t consulted before it was too late. Should community boards be more involved at an earlier stage? (50 words)
I believe not consulting the community board that is getting this project is wrong. The community board should have consulted and involved in the project from the start so that they can inform and consult with its community on its development and result.
6. A member of the Cambridge Community Board was on the earlier Cambridge Connections project group but was sworn to secrecy and unable to report back to the board. Was that fair? (50 words)
This is not fair because the community board members can not do their jobs. It is about being open and transparent and that is what is needed. Sworn to secrecy undermines the integrity of local democracy. This stops any elected member from reporting back openly to the people they represent.
7. Community advisors were appointed during Covid and the position still exists today. Should they report more regularly through to community boards? (50 words)
I believe communities should have advisors from within their own community. This enables them to get a real sense from their community but also true insights into how their community is doing. This also enables local people become involved in the running of their community.
8. What sort of decisions could community boards be involved with to take away pressure on councillors? More delegated authority? (50 words)
Community boards should be treated like the former county councils because they are the front line in their community and know what their community needs. Having a district council not even housed in your area and making decisions without knowing anything about your area and your community doesn’t make sense.
9. Should community boards have more funding available for discretionary grants? (50 words)
Community boards should be able to have multiple revenue streams at their disposal. But sadly, they have to rely on this grant to help them to surplus at the end of the financial year. Community boards should be able to make investments and have sponsorship to help them.
10. Do you believe Waipā District Council should continue to have community boards? (50 words)
I tried to get a community board where I lived in 2018 and at that year’s election, it was created. They are there to support the community and advocate for them. I have a plan to have a youth advisory board to involve young people. I’m here to listen and work for you, with you.
See: Cambridge Community Board candidates – in their own words
