The Star: September 13, 2018

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6 Thursday September 13 2018 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi The Star News Residents unhappy with decision-making • By Ashleigh Monk A SECOND survey has found just 36 per cent of Christchurch residents have confidence in the city council’s decision-making abilities. About 500 residents were questioned for the nationwide Quality of Life Survey, which examined the well-being of their residents. The survey showed a drop from 47 per cent in 2016 of people who Garry Moore thought the city council did not make decisions in the best interest of residents. It comes after a similarly low result in the city council’s own Residents’ Survey earlier this year, which found 28 per cent were happy with decisionmaking. “The same result came through in our residents’ survey and this is something we’re focusing on,” Mayor Lianne Dalziel said in a city council statement. When approached by The Star for further comment yesterday, a spokeswoman for Ms Dalziel said she was in meetings and could not respond. Former mayor Garry Moore said elected representatives needed to ensure their decisions were supported by residents. “This needs to happen urgently. This will make them reject the advice from the executive from time to time,” he said. “They could start on Thursday by declining to accept the advice of the staff Gerry Brownlee on using $220m of the Government’s $300m on a stadium. They should spend this on roads.” Ilam MP Gerry Brownlee said he was “not surprised” by the result. “You look at some of the things they’ve had to make decisions on or that they should have made decisions on and they just appear not to have done so,” he said. PROCESS: A survey of residents’ well-being has revealed 36 per cent of respondents have confidence in the city council’s ability to make decisions. “I think that recent outburst where David East has highlighted that the offices at council appear to have more support from the activities from the mayor than the councillors . . . David East is elected to represent people and when he’s going about his representative activities he’s suddenly being hauled into line by the council bureaucracy.” Councillor Aaron Keown said he thought the city council “wasn’t listening to residents.” “My fundamental core belief as a councillor is asking ‘is it our role to facilitate the way people want to live their lives? Or is it our role to dictate to people the way we think they should live their lives?’ I have to operate in a council that is in the latter and I operate in the former.” Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods declined to comment. A spokesman for Dr Woods said it was “an issue for the council.” Other results from the survey found 73 per cent said Christchurch was a great place to live, 57 per cent said housing costs were affordable, 86 per cent found their house was suitable for their needs and 68 per cent said their house didn’t have a problem with damp or mould. Seventeen per cent felt stressed most or all of the time in the last 12 months, and 43 per cent said they felt safe in the central city after dark – lower than the national average of 48 per cent. However, the figure was better than in 2016, when 31 per cent said they felt safe in the central city after dark. Seventy-eight per cent said dangerous driving was a problem in the last year and 71 per cent viewed begging on the streets as an issue. “Check out what’s on at Bunnings Dunedin” THURSDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 5.30PM – 7.30PM SINEAD, TEAM MEMBER Come and meet TV presenter Ian Taylor and join in our D.I.Y. workshops. For more information please call 03 466 2000 or visit bunnings.co.nz/dunedin 18 STRATHALLAN ST, DUNEDIN BUNZ19031_CS
The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday September 13 2018 7 OutletStore 99 Ferry rd, ChristChurCh Dalziel determined to change plan • By Sophie Cornish MAYOR LIANNE Dalziel is determined to make changes to the city’s District Plan. It comes after days of conflict over Coastal Ward city councillor David East’s claims the city’s District Plan was tampered with. Cr East called a press conference last week, where he said an independent inquiry is needed into the omission of a clause in the plan’s final draft. The clause would make it easier for people living in floodprone areas to build or extend their properties. Now, Cr East, along with supporters, Coastal-Burwood Community Board chairwoman Kim Money, deputy chairman Tim Sintes and Linwood-Central- Heathcote Community Board member Darrell Latham are facing code of conduct complaints. In Ms Dalziel’s weekly column (see p20) she calls the District Plan a “beast to navigate,” and says that making changes to the plan is not easy, but she is determined to do so. “Even if we insert the ‘missing clause,’ people will still have to apply for a resource consent, but at least the policy framework for CHANGES AHEAD: After days of debate following Coastal Ward councillor David East claims that a clause was omitted from the city’s District Plan, Mayor Lianne Dalziel has said she is determined to make changes to the plan. granting a consent will be clear,” she said. At a public meeting in New Brighton on Tuesday night, more than 300 people unanimously agreed to move a motion, created by New Brighton resident Gavin Bodger. The motion stated that those at the meeting fully support the actions of the outspoken elected members and they strongly object to the code of conduct complaints and request they be withdrawn. It also called for the Christchurch Coastal Residents’ United group to write on its behalf jointly, to the Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta and Minister of the Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Megan Woods. The letter would advise that they fully support the efforts of the elected members and request an independent inquiry and subsequent reinstatement on the Lianne Dalziel David East relevant clause. Mr Latham said yesterday the support shown for Cr East and the others at the meeting was “incredibly powerful.” He also said there seemed to be a “general agreement” from Ms Dalziel that the matters listed in the motion were possible. Cr East said he was pleased that Ms Dalziel and city council chief executive Karleen Edwards have “certainly acknowledged” there is a problem that needs to be fixed and investigated. An informal meeting will take place today with Ms Dalziel, Dr Edwards and the elected members who are facing code of conduct complaints. Cr East said the meeting will attempt to resolve several issues and there will be discussions on whether the disciplinary hearings will be necessary. Conviction after 15-year-old found working in brothel AN AUCKLAND couple have been convicted after a 15-year-old Christchurch girl was found to be working in their brothels. Taton Sebastian Smith, 35, and Tahleicia Elizabeth Seil, 25, were sentenced last Friday in the Auckland District Court for assisting someone under 18 to provide sexual services. Smith was jailed for two years and 10 months, while Seil will serve nine months’ home detention after they had earlier pleaded guilty. Both were also sentenced for profiting from the activity, and Smith for having sex with a person aged 12 to 16. The couple, who were in a relationship, were operating an internet escort agency from at least the start of 2014 from several central Auckland properties. At the beginning of June 2016, Smith and Seil identified a 15-year-old girl living in Christchurch as someone to work for them. Smith and Seil then arranged and paid for the teen to fly from Christchurch to Auckland and begin working in their central city brothels. HEAT PUMP SALE NOW ON! Amazin’ spring Specials!! • We will offer you the best quality brands and option of heat pump for your home/business • Providing Heat Pump solutions for over 16 years to Cantabrians • We personally guarantee all our products & installs for 5 years (providing annual maintenance has been completed) Phone us today for your free consultation & quote Do you have doubts your earthquake repairs have been done properly? 41A SHAKESPEARE RD, WALTHAM PHONE 03 366 0525 www.enviromaster.co.nz “A local team for local people” Don’t leave it until it’s too late. Sign up with us for a free foundation report. magazine designer clothing Spring styles to fall in love with! Sizes 10 - 26 Windmill Centre, 188 Clarence Street Riccarton, Christchurch Phone 021 686 929 www.magazineclothing.co.nz Ph: 03 377 8855 | 130 Ferry Road, Christchurch E: reception@earthquakeservices.co.nz | W: www.earthquakeservices.co.nz NO WIN NO FEE
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The Star: September 13, 2018

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