Cr Penny Webster

Rodney Ward Councillor, Auckland Council

Community issues of interest by Penny Webster

2012

Defining core business - April

In the final week of the Long Term Plan submissions, the Local Government Minister announced a change to local government and a return to “core business” by councils.

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Auckland’s crossroads - January

The last few weeks have been interesting as Councillors have spent many hours listening to submissions on the Auckland Plan. Many submitters have pointed to the fact that although they agree with a compact city and don’t want sprawl, they also want to maintain their style of living, leafy suburbs and wide open spaces.

2011

A week in politics - November

The third week in October was a particularly difficult week for Council at a time when it should have been fantastic.

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Plans coming to fruition - September

It is scary how fast this year has gone. Here we are in September, the World Cup is upon us and the year is galloping to the finish.

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Delivering on promises - June

More than six months after the creation of the new Auckland Council, many of you are still asking me: “Is the new council really working, and what is it doing for people like me here in the north of the new Auckland?"

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Issues aired, far and wide - May

This Annual Plan round of hearings has been very interesting. As a way of understanding the various communities and their differences and similarities, Councillors have attended hearings throughout the city.

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Implementing the law - March

I would like to start by congratulating the Local Rodney Board for recognising the diversity of our Ward and having their February meeting in Warkworth.

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Counting our blessings - February

The Christmas period brought a relief from travelling to Auckland and meetings. It was instead a time to observe and talk to people about the issues.

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Running in a new council - January

Two months on and the Council is in full swing. Finding our way around has become easier (just) and learning who to ask for solutions to problems is less than a mission.

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2010

Down to business

The challenge is huge. Amalgamate the budgets of eight councils and deliver an annual plan for 2011/12 by June 2011 and a Spatial Plan for the whole Auckland area by the end of next year. In our spare time we have to deliver a Long Term Plan for the next 10 years. After three weeks (give or take a day) we are up and running. Even if at times it feels that it is in ever-decreasing circles! There is a feeling of optimism both with the Local Board members as well as the Council. We are all aware of the job that needs to be done.