2023 - Significance and Engagement Policy
The consultation period for this policy has now closed. Thank you to those who made a submission.
Statement of Proposal
Summary of proposal
We are currently reviewing our Significance and Engagement Policy. This happens every three years alongside the Long Term Plan (LTP) process. You can read more about the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan here. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this draft policy.
Purpose and use of this policy
The Significance and Engagement Policy provides a framework that Council uses to determine the level of significance of a decision and how it will engage about that decision (or proposal, issue, etc.,). There are a range of considerations when determining significance level, including financial cost, effect on levels of service delivered by Council, community interest in the decision, and who might be affected by the decision.
Council uses the criteria in the policy to determine the significance level of a decision, and then the level of community engagement and consultation required to help inform the decision-making. The higher the significance level, the more Council will seek community engagement.
The main updates to the policy are:
- Improved flowchart for ease of use when determining significance level.
- Clarifications added to high significance thresholds.
- An additional method of engagement with the community – “Kōrero” – that Council already implements but which had not previously been captured within the policy.
The content and requirements of this policy otherwise remain largely unchanged outside of clarification additions, as these are set under Section 76AA of the Local Government Act (2002).
You can read a full copy of our draft Significance and Engagement Policy on our Connect | Hono Mai engagement site or at our main office at 108 Saint John Street, Ōpōtiki.
Have your say
Have your say! We want to hear your feedback, thoughts, and questions about our draft Significance and Engagement Policy. Your submissions directly contribute to Council’s decision-making.
KEY DATES:
26/10/2023 Submissions open.
24/11/2023 Submissions close at 4pm.
11/12/2023 Submitters’ opportunity to present to Council.
Council has deliberations on submissions and changes/updates to the draft policy are agreed.
Early 2024 Council adopts the updated Significance and Engagement Policy.
Make a submission
Online
The easiest way to make a submission is to visit our Connect | Hono Mai website. The computers at Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi are available for this if you do not have access to a computer.
Write to us
Printed copies of this proposal, and the accompanying feedback form, can be collected from our main office at 108 St John Street, Ōpōtiki, during usual business hours.
You can also call our main office on 07 315 3030 and ask for a printed copy and feedback form to be posted to you.
You can return the feedback form by
- Sending it to Ōpōtiki District Council, PO Box 44, Ōpōtiki.
- Dropping a copy off to our main office front reception at 108 St John Street, Ōpōtiki.
- Emailing a copy to connectadmin@odc.govt.nz.
Your Privacy
All submissions are public information. This supports our drive to be as transparent as possible. If there are any personal details you don’t want made public, please let us know on your submission.
Want to know more?
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Madeline Kaa at madelinek@odc.govt.nz.
