Council needs to show more enterprise
My job brings me to Waimate. I make a point of attending political meetings and am dismayed at the floor often being taken by mayor and councillors, wanting more money and better deals from the candidate’s party.
The fact is, councils do get better deals where they demonstrate initiative and enterprise. My observation is that the Waimate District Council does neither, for example:
Its town entrance dilapidation is the worst in the South Island.
Its main street landscape has probably not had a cent spent on it for a decade.
A demolition site behind it shows signs of engulfing its neighbours.
Against rural town odds, its visitor count is down.
In my opinion, it has no decent public toilets.
So what about some effort being made to straighten up our town before crying sad mouth to visiting politicians? Waimate Waimate District Mayor Craig Rowley responds: I believe Mr McKinnon is referring to the public meeting that was held to meet the Labour Party leader. There was ample opportunity for anyone to ask
Mr Axford’s complaint was acknowledged on Wednesday 21 June, and a review was instigated into the complaint on Monday 26 June. The purpose of the review was to examine the way in which Police conducted the investigation.
As a result of the review, the Authority is satisfied that the Police followed proper process and appropriately exercised their discretion not to take the matter further.
During the original investigation, Police took the following actions:
They assigned senior investigators who examined the evidence and interviewed witnesses.
They then sought an internal legal opinion and obtained an questions of Mr Little, and I don’t think that anyone was not able to have an opportunity to speak.
I asked two questions of Mr Little about his party’s policies on issues that concern me as the Mayor of the Waimate District, as both have serious implications for our ratepayers going forward.
Yes, it is unfortunate that the entrances to Waimate are not as we would like to have them.
Many approaches have been made to NZTA, who control and fund these roads. It is an area of concern and we are still working towards attempting to improve these areas.
I am not sure if Mr McKinnon was additional legal opinion from Crown Law Office.
Following consideration of that legal advice, Police considered that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges and that there were no further steps reasonably available to them at that time.
‘‘The Authority has determined that there is no foundation for the claim that the Police acted inappropriately or neglected their duty,’’ said Authority Chair, Judge Sir David Carruthers.
When the Authority originally advised that there was no basis for an investigation of Police conduct in this matter, it did not provide detailed reasons for its view because the Police are now reinvestigating. That remains the case. one of the attendees at our recent workshops held for our first round of the Economic Development Strategy where all of Mr McKinnon’s concerns were raised by numerous ratepayers.
As we move forward with this strategy we will be endeavouring to address these areas to enhance the district.
As most of these initiatives are driven by funding, it is now time to do some more work and make sure that we are able to get the best outcomes while still managing to maintain rates at a reasonable level.
I would be more than happy to personally meet with Mr McKinnon to discuss his concerns.
‘‘It would be inappropriate for the Authority to comment on the nature of the evidence that the Police took into account or the basis for their decision that there was insufficient evidence to proceed,’’ said Sir David. ‘‘That could prejudice any subsequent proceedings.’’