New committee heads confident about chairing
Two Upper Hutt councillors are taking on a committee chairperson role for the first time.
Councillor Blair Griffiths was appointed the chairperson of City Services at an Extraordinary Council Meeting on November 9.
That committee looks after everything for recreational use - including the libraries, parks and reserves, pools, museums - as well as waste management, wastewater and stormwater disposal and water supply, as well as city promotion and marketing, animal control and building enforcement.
He said the skills he brought to the role were ‘‘being a very open and honest person with a good attitude towards others, and a willingness to learn.
‘‘While this will be a new challenge, I see it as a exciting and new step in my ever changing life.’’
Another second-termer, Councillor Angela McLeod, was appointed Chair of the Community Grants Committee, leading a team that provides financial support to community groups.
‘‘Upper Hutt’s community and voluntary sector provides sub- stantial benefit to our local economy and social fabric,’’ she said. ‘‘I can’t wait to get my teeth in to something so integral to the success of our community.’’
She said that one of the con- stant battles facing local not-forprofit groups was the lack of finance to carry out their work so come budget time, she will be asking for an increase in allocation of funds for the committee to distribute.
‘‘I truly believe that the Upper Hutt community will benefit from any additional funds the council can provide to not-for-profit groups.’’
Apart from Hellen Swales moving from chairperson of City Services to chairperson of Audit, Risk and Finance Committee, all other chairperson roles remain unchanged from last term.
Glenn McArthur still chairs the Policy Committee.
Dave Wheeler is still the chair of the Hutt Valley Services Committee.
Mayor Wayne Guppy chairs the Hearings Committee, the Chief Executive Committee, the Civic Awards Selection Panel, the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, District Licensing Committee, Economic Stimulus Committee, Emergency Committee and Legislation Committee.
He also heads the Contracts Group and Temporary Road Closures for Events Group.