Christchurch people and organisations have six weeks to let the City Council know what they think of its Draft Annual Plan for the next year.

This City Scene includes eight pages of material about the Draft 2004 Plan, about what’s planned for your part of the city, and about how you can have your say and get involved.

The City Council’s business year runs from the start of July to the end of June the following year.

The 2004 Draft sets out the Council’s spending plans for the coming year and indicates likely spending and priorities for the years ahead. It is important to note, however, that spending plans in years beyond the coming year are estimates only and could well change.

The City Councillors want to know what the people of Christchurch think about the Plan.

Between now and 16 July, when they meet to finalise the 2004 Plan, Councillors and staff have set aside several days in which to listen to people’s opinions. The public consultation side of planning often results in changes being made.

The Draft Annual Plan is up now on the website – at www.ccc.govt.nz/AnnualPlan/ From 23 April free printed copies of the plan will available from the Civic Offices in Tuam Street, from the Council’s seven service centres around the city, from the Central Library and from the Council’s 11 community libraries.

For organisations and others who want more detailed information, the draft Corporate Plan 2004 edition will be available for inspection at the Civic Offices and Council Service Centres in the week ending 2 May.

This document will also be available on a link from the Council’s home website, www.ccc.govt.nz/corporateplan This issue of City Scene includes a centre spread (pp6-7) of map-based information about planned physical works in your area of the city. These maps show where the Council planning work and the tables underneath show what work is planned and when the Council plans to do it.

On Page 4 there is a form for people who want to have a say. It is in the same style as the submission form at the back of the printed Draft Plan. A similar form for email feedback is available on the Council’s website.

It’s your city. Have your say.