Ange Holt
Readers of Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board agendas get questions and answers and a debate all in one go.
Board chair Ange Holt’s monthly reports are now followed by a “staff response” where comments are made on what she had reported.
The first response was posted in August and in a second, in September, staff called her comments disingenuous and questioned her accuracy.
Holt did not provide a report last month, but for November it’s there – with a staff response.
Kane Titchener
It doesn’t happen in Cambridge – but it is no secret Holt has been at odds with staff over some issues.
One of her monthly columns in The News caused sufficient angst earlier this year that she agreed to acknowledge errors in the following edition and an edited version of the column was posted online.
Both Holt and her deputy Kane Titchener were diplomatic when The News raised the staff response issue this week and said efforts were being made to build relationships.
But Holt isn’t shying away from writing what she thinks – this month reporting that “we would like to record our concerns that this playground [at Rewi Maniapoto Reserve, Kihikihi] in its current proximity to the road with an inadequate barrier is potentially an unsafe place for children…”
Staff response: There will be no parking adjacent to Rewi Maniapoto Reserve once the cycleway has been constructed… which will help address safety concerns.”
And on the Memorial Park playground: “…we were given the impression we would see some concept plans to comment on and seek community feedback before they were finalised.”
Jill Taylor
Staff response: “…staff did not signal the playground design would include any further feedback or wider community consultation…”
On member Jill Taylor’s work with school activities: “Jill thinks it would be fantastic if we could add some equipment for teens in our parks, eg John Rochfort Park in Kihikihi, Swarbrick or beside the Pop n Good park…”
Staff response: “Not all sites named in the chair’s report are appropriate, so staff will work with member Taylor…”
The community board holds its monthly meeting today at 6pm.
