Community forums are giving Waiheke locals more opportunities to engage with their local board.
Waiheke Local Board has been holding monthly community forums with the aim of increasing their in-depth understanding of local issues. At the same time, those attending can increase their understanding of the board’s role, responsibilities and the rationale behind board decisions made at business meetings.
Local board chair Cath Handley says that the monthly community forums have been proving effective and the board welcomes more community members to get involved.
“Our community forums are designed to improve communication and establish better connections between the board and our communities. They are two-way conversations on issues residents and groups want to bring for our consideration. We’ve had some great chats on matters that wouldn’t necessarily come to us in our public forum at business meetings.”
Open to the public, the forums are not where decisions are made, but where the community can hear discussions on particular projects and updates and present to the board to provide feedback and ideas.
“The community forums are the place for residents to raise issues and concerns and be listened to.
“My hope is that more Waiheke locals will take this opportunity to come and hear about the exciting things happening across the island, or to get involved and to increase their engagement with the board,” says Chair Handley.
How do community forums work?
Waiheke Local Board holds community forums on the second Wednesday of each month, from 5.30pm-7pm, at the local board office, 10 Belgium Street, Ostend.
Anyone can speak to the board at a community forum, as long as the matter relates to a function of Waiheke Local Board. The forum also provides an opportunity to provide feedback on the board’s workshop agenda items.
Find out more about how community forums work at our website.
The next community forum is Wednesday 09 June 2021. There will be no community forum in July as the Waiheke Local Board will be on recess at that time.
To request a presentation or to ask for further information about the community forums, contact waihekelocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Business Meetings
Waiheke Local Board’s governance structure remains unchanged with all decisions made at business meetings, which are open to the public.
Business meetings take place every month at the Waiheke Local Board office from 5.15pm. Visit our website to find out about upcoming business meetings and for more information about Waiheke Local Board.
