Council business has a seasonal rhythm and so the years can whizz by quickly with annual reports and plans - but we are currently working on an important plan for the future and will soon be looking for your feedback.

It’s the 10-year Long Term Plan, looking in detail at what we want to achieve for our district in the next 10 years. Simply, what we’ll do, when we’ll do it and how we’ll pay for it.

It’s operational but visionary, with strategic goals and priorities, and it has to balance needs and wants with affordability. It requires a lot of conversing with staff and with you, the community that elected us.

Public consultation begins on 27 March and we’ll be looking for your feedback on the 10-year plan, as well as some other documents, like the 30-year masterplan for EA Networks Centre.

As a council, we’ve spent the last six months developing the Long Term Plan and debating the district’s spending priorities. Views around the council table differ, just like in the community, that’s why it’s important to know your views on what we think is the direction our district will take over the next decade.

It is an incredibly important time for us all as this is when future plans are put in place and spending investment is agreed upon.

Please don’t feel limited to commenting on the five key issues highlighted in the draft. The purpose of consulting with everyone is to collect a wide range of opinions on all aspects of life in the district.

For example, Safe Communities have commissioned research into the provision of public transport in Ashburton - do you have a view on this?

Does council have a role in supporting healthcare in the district?

Does the Ashburton Domain meet your expectations?

Do we do a good job managing elderly persons housing, how can we do better?

The role of council seems to be expanding as central government asks more of us. The cost of providing a high level of service is also increasing. We need to know what you are willing to support financially and what you feel is less important.

Please share your thoughts - if you don’t want to jot things down in writing then come to any number of the 30 events we are running and tell us directly if we are on the right track.

You can also drop into the new Ashburton Library any Tuesday between 1pm and 2pm to chat with a councillor, or alternatively give us a call (our contact details are on the council website).

I look forward to hearing from you.