Local Board draft plan open for consultation

Franklin Local Board has approved its draft 2023 Local Board Plan for public consultation, open until 14 August.

Franklin chair Angela Fulljames says the plans, required by law to set direction for the next three years, are prepared in the first year after a board’s election.

“Nothing has been finalised. That doesn’t happen until we have had a chance to make the draft public, so our communities can provide feedback,” she says.

Waiuku subdivision representative Sharlene Druyven says board members recognise the public has been through consultation on Auckland Council’s annual budget, and that there might be some fatigue. “But we would encourage everyone to look, decide if the priorities are supported, or if we have missed something.”

She says the alterations made to the annual budget, and subsequent compromises around the table as the budget was adopted, prove consultation works.

“We know some people say no-one is listening and that having a say is pointless, but that’s been shown to be untrue. The budget went through many changes, proving elected members were listening. The feedback process is important to getting a plan in place that people agree takes their area in the right direction.”