Council keen to get moving on local wellbeing discussions

The Kāpiti Coast District Council is pleased the government is taking steps to boost the contribution local organisations make towards the wellbeing of their communities.

Kāpiti Coast District Mayor, K Gurunathan, says that while the Council supports the government’s recent proposal to re-introduce social, environmental, economic and cultural wellbeing back into the Local Government Act 2002, it is essential local funding requirements are met.

“A bottom line for the Council will be to ensure the government provides the right level of local support and funding to deliver to any new expectations,” Mayor K Gurunathan says. 

“Like all councils we have a strong understanding of the diverse needs of people living in Kāpiti, and we’d like to be able to have more influence over decisions that will make a difference to their wellbeing.

“We’re heavily involved in all sorts of things that affect the wellbeing of Kāpiti communities, such as housing and community development and protecting our natural environment. We’d like to sit down with government and come up with an approach that’ll empower the Council, Kāpiti businesses, local iwi and our communities to do more.

“The government is, right now, also doing a review of local government funding. We strongly urge them to consider this, and their proposal to localise wellbeing decision-making, together.

“The government’s timeframe is short, so we’re keen to get the conversations started.”