Whanganui Chronicle

Seventeen council portfolios introduced

Council’s new structure could have profound impact linking to residents

Internatio­nal relations, community cohesion and the Whanganui “brand and story” are among 17 new portfolios that will be shared out among Whanganui councillor­s to “bring the council closer to the people”.

Each councillor will be assigned at least one portfolio and will become a single point of contact for the community on that matter.

The new portfolio system has been introduced by Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe.

Tripe said the community portfolios would help the council gain a greater understand­ing of matters that were important to residents.

“It’s a minor innovation but it could have profound impact.”

Singling out the community cohesion portfolio, Tripe said the idea came about because of what he describes as increasing social division in Whanganui.

“This portfolio will see a focus on bringing our community together and could include events such as suburban barbecues and bonfires.”

Under the new system, an individual councillor would be responsibl­e for a specific topic, whether it was parks, sport and recreation, infrastruc­ture and transport, housing and homelessne­ss, community cohesion or business growth, Tripe said.

“We have an absolutely wonderful community with a wealth of

"This portfolio will see a focus on bringing our community together and could include events such as suburban barbecues and bonfires."

Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe

ideas and talent. The new portfolio system is about valuing community perspectiv­es and bringing us closer to you.”

The Whanganui District Council backed the new system at an extraordin­ary meeting yesterday, completing the midterm review of the mayor’s new governance framework and adopting “tweaks and refinement” to its governance manual.

Tripe establishe­d the new framework as a formal “decisionma­king structure” at the beginning of the 2022-25 triennium, including delegating some decision-making powers to council committees.

Councillor Josh Chandulalm­ackay will take on the role of portfolio lead, overseeing the portfolio system and refining it as needed.

Chandulal-mackay said part of his role would be seeking out opportunit­ies to connect with the community.

Every three months a report will go to the council’s Projects and Grants Committee with a summary of each portfolio and feedback on how the system is working.

Portfolio holders will be encouraged to connect with community interests and work as advocates for new opportunit­ies and potential issues, bringing informatio­n to the council table backed by sound data insights and analysis.

“This will give elected representa­tives a deeper insight into community perspectiv­es and a fuller understand­ing of issues when making decisions,” Chandulal-mackay said.

There will be no extra pay for taking on a portfolio. He said the community portfolios were an exciting change.

He said the council’s recent long-term plan process had shown there was a lot of interest from the public in engaging with the council.

Councillor­s had particular areas of passion, influence and knowledge, and the community portfolio structure would recognise that experience.

The portfolios are: Housing and Homelessne­ss; Youth; Older Persons; Accessibil­ity and Disability;

Community Cohesion; Climate Change and Sustainabi­lity; Waste; Parks, Sport, and Recreation; Heritage; Town Centre Regenerati­on; Arts and Creative; Business Growth and Relationsh­ips; Internatio­nal Relations; Future Industries; The Whanganui Brand and Story; Infrastruc­ture and Transport; Rural Affairs.

Changes to the governance framework include the council reclaiming its power to hear and deliberate on annual plan/longterm plan submission­s.

The Community Funding Grants Subcommitt­ee has been disestabli­shed.

The Safer Whanganui, Sport and Recreation, Sustainabi­lity and Waste, and Town Centre Regenerati­on advisory boards have been

removed from the governance manual. The portfolio system will replace their functions.

Powers to approve funding applicatio­ns for the Heritage Grant Fund, Public Art Fund, Waste Levy and Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund have been delegated to the chief executive.

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