21 April Council to Livestream Meetings During Lockdown April 21, 2020 By Waimakariri District Council Business, Community, Local Government In a first for the District, the Waimakariri District Council will live stream two meetings, as it looks to find new ways to support residents and keep them up to date during the lockdown. Live streaming provides a way for the Council to maintain transparency around democratic decision making and fulfills Local Government legislation under which Councils must provide an opportunity for the public to observe. Both meetings will be held via Zoom and live streamed on the Council’s YouTube channel. The technology was successfully trialed last week, when Chief Executive Jim Palmer hosted an update and live q&a session with Council staff. On Monday at 2pm, the public hearing for the draft Rangiora Town Centre Strategy was streamed via YouTube. The hearing is for submitters who wished to present their feedback verbally. While the lockdown means they can’t present in person, they’ll still be able to talk directly to Councillors using Zoom. The hearing panel consists of Councillors Kirstyn Barnett, Joan Ward and Paul Williams. The draft Rangiora Town Centre Strategy can be viewed at 2pm, Monday 20 April here. On Today at 1pm, Council will hold its meeting for April. Key topics on the agenda include a discussion around options to reduce costs and minimise any increase in rates for the next financial year. The budget for 2020/2021 won’t be finalised until the Annual Plan is adopted in June. Council staff are currently consolidating feedback from the public consultation that closed earlier this week and hearings will be scheduled in the coming months. The Waimakariri District Council meeting for April can be viewed at 1pm, Tuesday 21 April below. The full agenda can be viewed here. 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