FNDC allocates $330,000 annually, shared between the three community boards, and in the annual plan asks for the community's views on whether this community grants scheme should be continued.
We oppose the cancellation of the community grants scheme for the following reasons:
Without any funding this largely disempowers the community boards.
It will limit "bottom up" local initiatives generated by communities which should be too small or too remote for council to be involved with.
The Far North is not merely about infrastructure of roads, water, sewerage and libraries; it is also about community and those diverse activities which contribute to what we are.
Volunteer groups typically lack financial resources, but a small grant allied to enthusiastic contributions of labour and organisation skills acts as a multiplier. An example is the recent grant by our community board to a group of local residents for the care of Reinga Road reserve. This group is eliminating weeds, arranging fencing and access, and, supported by the Shade House Volunteers, will start native planting this autumn. The result will be a derelict, moth plant and tobacco weed-riddled council reserve which should have been a council embarrassment becoming a council asset with high amenity values, driven by locals. Incidentally, council intended to sell this reserve a few years ago but was opposed by the community, supported by the community board.
A community grant demonstrates council support. Cancellation of this funding could contribute to a negative perception of council.
It maintains a minimal contribution to "promoting the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of communities", which have (unfortunately) been discarded by the Local Government Act. As the new purpose statement has not been defined, we should continue to pursue this important activity.
If you feel as we do, make a submission to the annual plan, which closes on Monday, April 22.
