Engagement and Significance Policy When Council will not Engage with the Community Degrees of significance will be determined after consideration of the following criteria: There are times when it is not necessary, appropriate or possible to engage with the (a) Whether an affected asset is a strategic asset within the meaning of the Act or community on a proposal or decision. These include: listed in this policy. (a) On decisions to take (or not take) enforcement action in a particular case (even (b) The extent to which there is, or is likely to be, a change in the level of service in where the matter may be highly significant under this Policy (for example, carrying out any significant activity. where the matter has high public interest)). (b) In emergency situations where an immediate response is necessary. (c) The extent to which there is, or is likely to be, a change in the capacity of the Council to provide any significant service or carry out any significant activity. (c) On administrative matters (for example, tendering and contracting, delegations, appointments (staff, commissioners, directors, and trustees), insurance and risk Engagement Levels and Methods Matrix management). This part of the Policy details community preferences for engagement and the Feedback on Decisions Made engagement levels and methods matrix. Council will make sure that the public is told what choices and decisions were made and why. Council will endeavour to directly contact everyone who had input or made a Community Preferences for Engagement submission. Council may use the media or the Council website to let people know. Many interest groups and communities already effectively engage with Council on an on-going basis. Council will continue to support existing community and interest groups Significant Proposals and Decisions in engaging with Council. This part of the Policy describes: Council has established the “Smart and Connected” programme which brings together (a) The criteria or procedures Council will use to assess significance industries and interest groups to better manage their futures. The Smart and Connected economic strategy aims to create a relationship between Council and the (b) The approach Council will take to determining the significance of proposals and community to promote the vision for Marlborough. decisions. How significant a proposal or decision is has a direct impact on the level of consultation required. Council will look for other opportunities for communities and interest groups to engage Marlborough District Council will consider any decisions concerning the following as with Council in this way. These opportunities may be single-issue or ongoing. They significant: may involve establishing forums for communities and new Smart and Connected Cluster groups. These forums and groups allow people to express their views to (a) Expenditure on issues, assets, or other matters (not including strategic assets) Council on matters affecting them, allows Council to provide information of interest to them, and Council can assist them to make decisions for their future development. that represent more than 10% of Council’s total budgeted annual income. (b) Any transfer of ownership or control to or from the Council, or the construction, Before the Council makes a significant decision, Council will consult the public, replacement or abandonment, of a strategic asset as defined by the Act or following the principles set out at section 82 of the LGA. In practice, this means that listed in this policy. we will— (c) Reducing Council’s shareholding in any Council Controlled Organisation and (a) identify people who will be affected by or have an interest in the decision; Joint Operating Committee below 100% of the shareholding held as at 30 June 2018. (b) provide them with reasonable access to relevant information in an appropriate (d) Entry into any partnership with the private sector to carry out a significant format on the process and scope of the decision; activity. (e) Whether an affected asset is a strategic asset within the meaning of the Act or (c) encourage people to give their views; listed in this policy. 2018-2028 Long Term Plan Page 329