Support for community board

Its existence is under threat, angering some people in a Horowhenua town, but the Foxton Community Board is pledging to carry on with business.

‘‘I think we need to keep going. Once you lose it, you’ll never get it again,’’ board deputy chairwoman Tricia Metcalf said.

‘‘Our community is very diverse. We have Foxton, Foxton Beach and town and rural – it’s better if we have a voice for the people.’’

The board’s future was called into question in a review of representation by Horowhenua District Council, launched in April. The council proposed the board shut down at the next local elections to cut costs, create more equitable representation across the district and because there are other ways for residents to work with the council.

Community submissions were sought, and a public meeting in May about the proposal was well attended by ‘‘angry’’ residents, Metcalf said.

‘‘There were lots of people. The whole foyer [of Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom] was full.

‘‘They were angry because they felt as if the council had tried to get in and take over Foxton, and then they’ll lose their freehold account money.’’

The board advises on spending from the Foxton Beach Freehold Account, which holds about $5 million of community funds. The account began in 1876 with land grants, and was ring-fenced for the community in 1989 when the area became part of Horowhenua District Council.

Investment in the Forbes Rd subdivision project in 2009 led to 58 section sales, growing the fund substantially. The money is used for community development projects.

The Forbes Rd subdivision and other pockets of population growth in the area were reasons representation for Foxton should be expanded, not reduced, Metcalf said.

A scheduled board meeting continued unchanged on Tuesday evening, discussing water purification for Foxton Beach, sand dune management, the town’s Main St upgrade, and recommending the council transfer $165,000 to Foxton Beach Bowling Club to build a bowling green and repair a car park.

The council’s manager of corporate services Mark Lester said there had been a good amount of feedback from the public, with 105 submissions, and a petition signed by more than 360 people to keep the board. It was too early to comment on the balance of views represented, he said.

Hearings will be held at a July 4 meeting and council discussions will take place on July 11, when a final proposal will be drawn up. Another one-month consultation period will follow.

If there are any objections or appeals, the Local Government Commission will make a final decision on the board’s future before April 10 next year.

‘‘Our community is very diverse . . . it’s better if we have a voice for the people.’’ Tricia Metcalf, Foxton Community Board deputy chairwoman