Matters arising from the Community Services Committee held yesterday.

Drama therapy, used in the Christchurch Women’s Prison with a highly acclaimed performance of Watea earlier this year, is to be used at the Kingslea Centre.

The Christchurch City Council’s community services committee has approved the use of some funds towards the drama therapy by Jim Moriarty and his Te Rakau Hua O Te Wao Tapu group at the Kingslea Centre.

He has already taken up a residency and will remain there until December 20. The will culminate in an 18-night drama season, open to the public.

Mr Moriarty will lead a group of up to 10 facilitators and it is hoped that the experience will assist the young people in rehabilitation and also create an improved understanding of Kingslea by the wider community.

Grant of $30,000

The Family and Community Division of Anglican Care has been granted $30,000 by the committee to continue work with marginalised people and those at risk. The money is needed for professional support and mileage for community workers and a salary top-up.

Poverty moves

Council officers and four committee members will form a group to draw up terms of reference, which will lead to a taskforce being set up on poverty.

The move followed a public deputation to the committee, a lengthy report on poverty, and a plea from the Mayor, Garry Moore.

He said the council needed a blueprint on the matter so it knew where it was heading on the matter of poverty.

Cr Barbara Stewart said much research work had already been done on the question and that a taskforce was not needed. Cr Paddy Austin said clearer and more defined aims were needed.

Housing plan before committee

Plans to build a three-storey 25-unit housing complex, similar to the council’s Gloucester Courts, just opened in Gloucester Street, will be recommended by the committee to the full council for a final decision.

Financial discussions were taken in committee.

If the go-ahead is given the $2.7 million complex will be built at the corner of Waltham Road and Brougham Street, adjacent to Cecil Place. The council has owned the property since the building of the Brougham Street expressway .

The property manager, Rob Dally, said that as a result of the successful Gloucester Courts he was asked to prepare a proposal for Cecil Place.

"This can be quickly put into place to meet a continuing inner-city housing need, as evidenced by the council’s housing waiting list," Mr Dally said.