Northern Ward Committee News

• $1500 allocated for Stokes Valley Kindergarten; the money will be part of the $5,000 needed to create a natural recovery area at the kindergarten. The aim is to assist with the development of a natural understanding of the native surroundings for the under 5 year olds.
• $1000 for Birthright - With 50% or 300 of the families that Birthright assists residing in the Northern Ward, it was felt justified by the Committee to provide this grant. While just over 60% of Birthright's total funding is provided by Central Government, this goes almost entirely on salaries and basic expenses. No funding is provided for capital equipment. Birthright says this grant will go a long way to replace badly needed office equipment.
• An additional $500 for planter boxes at Scott Court (Stokes Valley);
• Approval given to Robson Street Action Group plan for feature wall and Stokes Valley sign;
• No address from the Mayor as he and Councillor Baird were part of a delegation on a council paid trip to Japan;
• New Tables and Chairs needed for Taita Community Centre. The last Northern Ward Committee meeting was held at the Taita Community Centre. What was obvious at the meeting was the lack of chairs and tables and what was there was in a poor state of repair. A call was made for the council to replace the chairs and tables with money that has already been paid out from an insurance claim from tables and chairs that were destroyed years ago due to flooding. The Council claimed insurance for the damage and was paid out. The money received to date has not gone on new equipment.
• Blue Light Disco for Taita to be held on 29th November.
• The schedule of meetings for the Northern Ward Committee for 2003 (and venues) has been decided. They are:
  
  10 February,
  7 April,
  23 June,
  11 August,
  22 Sept,
  3 November.
  
  All meetings will take place on a Monday beginning at 6pm and the venue will alternate between the Koranui Marae, Pomare Community Hall and the Taita Community Centre.