An interesting week at Council with the draft Long Term Plan out for consultation.

We also had

– briefings on consenting activities, the cruise ship rresponse and dam safety regulations

– the water & land committee

– the Avon Heathcote Ihutai Trust meeting and

– today we held our Council to Council forum with Christchurch City Councillors, where we discussed our respective strategic priorities for 2024, long term plan and strategic challenges, our joint committees e.g. Mayoral Forum, Greater Christchurch Partnership and Canterbury Regional Transport Committee.

We finished off with a round the table key projects, issues etc from Councillors.

I finished the day, alongside Cr Robinson discussing the draft LTP with a representative of the Victoria Neighbourhood Association.

Things that are front and centre for me include the details of an oil spill in Bromley earlier this week, next weeks Council meeting where I have a notice of motion “that the Canterbury Regional Council (CRC) adopts the position that CRC briefings, workshops and seminars will be open to the public by default, rather than closed”.

I am also expecting a report back to the Council meeting from staff regarding last months notice of motion regarding our procurement policies, ensuring that we differentiate between goods and services from Israel and illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands.

Next week, there is also the Biodiversity Champions meeting, which Im not a member of, but have an invitation to attend, and a meeting on the future of public transport focussing on rail and ferries.

Please dont hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss the draft LTP or any other topic you may have.

I cannot finish without reflecting on the events of this day five years ago. Te aroha, te whakapono, me te rangimarie tatou tatou e.