Community Board represents local democracy in action

There for the people… the Christchurch City Council's Fendalton library and offices.

The Christchurch City Council is represented on the local scene by the Fendalton/Waimairi Community Board.

As such the Board is the elected member interface with the citizens of the Fendalton and Waimairi wards of the city.

This brief article seeks to explain the role of the Board.

The Board is comprised of six directly elected members and three members (Councillors) appointed by the Council, giving a total of nine members.

Membership of a new Board will result from the 13 October local body elections this year.

Community Boards undertake tasks delegated to them by the City Council and have direct input into the Council's annual plan and budget process.

Community Boards have a key role in communicating regularly with community organisations and local special interest groups. They also provide an overview of roadworks, water supply, sewerage, stormwater, drainage, parks recreational facilities, community activities and traffic management projects and issues within their community.

The Community Board is not a separate authority but part of the elected structure of the Council.

It reports each month to the Council in the same way as do the Council's Standing Committees.

In general, the Board's responsibilities include the following:

• A policy and monitoring overview of local aspects of streetworks, parks, traffic engineering, community activities and regulatory functions.
• Active liaison with residents/business/special interest groups in the community.
• An ongoing obligation to keep the Council informed on community aspirations and the levels of satisfaction with the services provided.
• Development of programmes and plans to achieve community development, social well-being and community safety outcomes at the local level, within the framework developed by the City Council.

During recent years the Community Board has established a number of relationships with citizens/representatives of the Fendalton/Waimairi community.

Although many relationships have related to current or proposed roading projects, traffic issues and tree related concerns, there have also been a number of beneficial linkages established with schools, churches, community organisations, and business interests.