Community Wellbeing Watchdog

Friday, 23 July 2010

Horowhenua District Council has regrouped a number of its community support functions that ‘help the community to help itself’ with the formation of a new Community Wellbeing Subcommittee.

At its meeting on 7 July 2010, Council dissolved the Joint Transport & Health Subcommittee and combined it with the Horowhenua Public Health Organisation Community Advisory Group in order to establish the new committee.

The rationalisation of time and resources was fully supported by both Margaret Robins and Lew Rohloff, members of the existing subcommittees. Margaret Robins said she could see the new Community Wellbeing Subcommittee providing a more collaborative role, providing a community voice to assist the community in navigating complex social issues. Lew Rohloff was keen to move the new committee forward rapidly to address existing issues around the standard of aged care from a health perspective. Lew also noted that Grey Power, the largest community organisation in the District, fully supported the proposal.

The move is just one of many designed to address both current and future needs and as a way to identify how community outcomes in the LTCCP (10 year plan) can best be achieved while preventing duplication of services. Margaret Robins believes the executive of the new Community Wellbeing Subcommittee will provide an important focus in advocating for strong community partnerships as well as taking a lead by giving direction to community groups.

While the Local Government Act 2002 tells councils to promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of their communities it does not specify how this is to be done.

There are many levels for Council to approach community development, though a strategic/policy role as well as a community support role. The Community Wellbeing Subcommittee will include two parts; the small executive group and the wider community representatives who will contribute ideas from the groups and organisations they work with.

Council has taken a lead role in community support by implementing seven strategies to address the unique demographics of the Horowhenua and by taking a ‘hands on approach’ to providing direct support and ensuring community outcomes are achieved. These strategies guide us in selecting objectives and providing timeframes and priorities for the Social Wellbeing Executive Board.

Horowhenua District Council Chief Executive David Ward says the change allows Council to work at both regional and government level for the real benefit of the community.