Council business

At the mayor making ceremony the Council continues its business by announcing the new committee structures and time table for meetings. At Christchurch all Council decisions are made by committees following due process and from initiatives from port folio holders and members. Port folio holders are the work horses of the Council and are in ownership with all members of the overall direction detailed in our new corporate plan which is available to all from the civic offices. They meet with me on a regular basis and it is through them that policy directions are established by the controlling group so that a steer can be given to officers on crucial issues. Areas subject to their input are Housing, Economy, Community, Environment and Performance. Any one of these themes throws up considerable challenges for the coming year and beyond but perhaps the most concerning is that of housing. This Council does not build or provide any form of subsidised accommodation having decided years ago to pass that responsibility to various housing associations funded by central government money. Our role is to be enablers in establishing how and where we can direct new housing including that which we term affordable. We are also involved in the allocation process. Our developing local plan out for consultation as I write, details our direction and through this robust planning document, we hope to deal with what I see as a real crisis. The problem is that the build and start program for developers and housing associations is at an all time low. The frustration for us as a council is that despite ticking all the boxes, consulting with our communities and seeing that efficient planning process is undertaken, not very much is happening. Clearly the economic environment is the determinant here but in my opinion the whole subject of how housing for our growing community is to be dealt with has to go to the top of the 'to do' pile. As a small council our opportunities are few but I am determined to find a way through this conundrum so that we can fulfil our pledge to provide housing for our growing community.