The tour by bus throughout the Shirley and Papanui wards was to give board members and Council staff a chance to see directly some of the areas of interest and concern that have been reported on at community board meetings. Issues observed and discussed included traffic safety at intersections, lighting and trees, graffiti and bus-stop vandalism. Feedback from those who took part suggest it is a good way of making a stronger connection between community issues and items on the meeting agendas.