Selwyn_Times: July 26, 2023
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34 <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Wednesday <strong>July</strong> <strong>26</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
Recommendations<br />
for Local Government<br />
Last month a review made recommendations for an overhaul<br />
of Local Government, including that Councils should have<br />
more control over how public money is spent. In New Zealand<br />
over 90% of public money is spent by Central Government<br />
leaving Councils to spend the remaining 10%. I don’t think<br />
that’s right. It’s hard for Central Government to deliver truly<br />
local outcomes, and for Local Government to rely on the<br />
current rates income alone is unsustainable. We simply<br />
can’t continue to raise rates to pay for the ever-expanding<br />
list of things Central Government want us to do as well as<br />
tackling climate change and caring for our environment.<br />
Other recommendations in the report might see councils<br />
elected for a four-year term. This would double the amount<br />
of usable time between elections to deliver for <strong>Selwyn</strong>. The<br />
report also asks councils to work together in our regions.<br />
Labour and National have said they won’t be considering<br />
the recommendations until after the elections, so in the<br />
meantime I’ll be working with our neighbours on issues we<br />
can tackle together. For a more in-depth look at the review,<br />
I’ve put together a podcast, just search ‘Unpacking FFLG’ on<br />
your podcast provider.<br />
We all love our dogs<br />
I love our dog Lev, he’s always the first to say hello when I walk through the<br />
door and is a real part of our family. In <strong>Selwyn</strong> we have about one dog for<br />
very five people, that’s a lot of dogs. Our council recognises how important it<br />
is that we provide the services to help your dog live happy, healthy, and safe<br />
lives. You’ve asked us for more dog parks and the most recent one was opened<br />
at Kakaha Park with a separate small dog area, which was also one of your<br />
requests. We’ll also microchip your dog for free. You must register you dog with<br />
us each year and now you can keep the same tag and pay online or in person.<br />
Your registration fees fund our animal control team who will collect your dog if<br />
they decide to wander, trace them via their chip and return them to you. You’ve<br />
got until 31 <strong>July</strong> for the discounted registration fee of $45 instead of $60.<br />
Finally, having a dog is a responsibility and with that comes cleaning up your<br />
dog’s poo. Thank you to all responsible dog owners who pick up your dog waste<br />
and dispose of it responsibly in your red bin.<br />
selwyn top dogs statistics<br />
names<br />
breeds<br />
1. Bella<br />
6. Molly<br />
1. Labrador<br />
6. Staffy<br />
2. Charlie<br />
7. Archie<br />
2. Border Collie<br />
7. Golden Retriever<br />
3. Poppy<br />
8. Luna<br />
3. Huntaway<br />
8. Bichon Frise<br />
4. Ruby<br />
9. Daisy<br />
4. Greyhound<br />
9. Alsation<br />
5. Max<br />
10. Coco<br />
5. Jack Russell<br />
10. Mini Schnauzer<br />
Keeping services running is a key function of Local Government.<br />
2
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