Activity Group: People Activity: Democratic Process Marlborough District Council’s Local Governance Statement provides a comprehensive overview of its governance policies and processes. Copies of the How this Activity Contributes to the Vision and Related Local Governance Statement, and associated polices and documents, can be viewed at Council Service Centres and Libraries, and on the Council’s website. Community Outcomes This Activity helps to achieve the Vision by encouraging people to care about The Council elections were held successfully in October 2016 (the next election community issues and to engage with local government decision making. It does will be in October 2019 and every three years thereafter). In the two years prior to this through the Community Outcomes of Governance, Environment, People, the 2022 election Council will be reviewing its election method (currently Single Economy and Living, as outlined below. Transferable Vote) and also its representation arrangements (ward structure, etc). This review will also be undertaken in the two years prior to the 2028 election. Outcome Actions Governance Facilitating public interactions with Council and with other public Emerging Issues and Expected Changes and private organisations. Public Communications Environmen Funding the Sounds Advisory Group which promotes the t sustainable management of Marlborough’s natural and physical An emerging issue within this Activity is the community’s growing expectation for resources. more information and a greater level of consultation, which has the potential to People Promoting the ability for people to be engaged and to participate increase costs. in their community. In addition, commercial pressure on regional print media means there are fewer Economy Promoting the ability for people involved in commercial and newsroom staff than before, with a corresponding reduction in published industrial businesses to be engaged and to participate in their information about Council decisions and news, and less in-depth reporting. community. Council has responded to this to a degree by increasing its use of digital channels Living Encouraging people to work together to participate in local to share information, notably Facebook and Twitter, and also the use of apps. If democracy. there is further media shrinkage, Council may have to consider alternative means of providing public information and communications services. What is this Activity About? A biennial survey is conducted to gauge residents’ communication channel Marlborough District Council is a unitary authority; with the functions, duties and preferences, and their level of satisfaction with Council communications. powers of both a regional council and a territorial authority, as conferred on it by the Local Government Act 2002. This Act describes the purpose of local government as being: to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, . and on behalf of, communities; and to meet the current and future needs of communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost effective for households and businesses. While considering the range and diversity of the communities in Marlborough, the Council also recognises the special relationship it has with tangata whenua, and acknowledges the specific responsibilities it has to Māori under the Local Government Act 2002 and the Resource Management Act 1991. This LTP provides funding for Council to engage a Te Ao Māori cultural adviser to advise elected members and staff, in order to improve the Council’s relationship with Māori and fulfil its obligations as a Treaty partner. 2018-2028 Long Term Plan Page 32