Councillor Comment with Johnathan Larsen

Council briefings and meetings online
A few years back I advanced the proposal to have Council meetings live-streamed and available for delayed viewing online – unfortunately at that time Council voted against doing this. With the Covid-19 lockdown protocols in place all public briefings and meetings are now having to happen online, and to allow public access are being streamed live on the Kaipara District Council Facebook page at facebook.com/watch/KaiparaDistrictCouncil/.

Dealing with the effects of Covid-19
With many in the community affected by the shutdown, Council is establishing a hardship support package to target assistance where it is needed most. A range of rates options for next year’s Annual Plan will also be discussed at the same meeting. The proposed support package will be prepared to be debated at the April 29 meeting.

A task force is being set up to help reactivate Kaipara communities and businesses as quickly as possible after the pandemic. The task force website can be viewed at kaipara.govt.nz/taskforce.

For Council maintenance or service issues phone 0800 727 059 or email council@kaipara.govt.nz. Any community projects or issues that you would like assistance with contact me on 021 185 8389 or jlarsen@kaipara.govt.nz.

*NOTE: Views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the consensus position of Council.