Purpose

The Significance and Engagement Policy lets the community know how Council determines the degree of significance of matters it is making decisions on, and when and how the community can expect to be engaged by Council prior a decision being made. Council is required to have a Significance and Engagement Policy (Local Government Act 2002).

The reason for this consultation is to update the existing policy to meet changing circumstances. In addition to the consultation matters below, Council has made several amendments to the wording of the Policy to better explain its purpose, clarify matters, make it easier to read and due to past changes (e.g. amending the strategic assets list to reflect the formation in 2023 of Infrastructure Holdings Ltd and Council’s transfer of its shares in Port Nelson and Nelson Airport to the new company). Submitters can comment on any aspect of the policy in addition to the consultation matters raised below.

Council’s proposal for the Significance and Engagement Policy is contained in the Draft Policy, which you can read by clicking on the PDF in the right hand column.

The existing Policy adopted by Council in 2020 can be found at: http://www.nelson.govt.nz/assets/Our-council/Downl...

Proposed key consultation matters

Key consultation matters	Advantages	Disadvantages	Options
Amendments to the criteria for determining and assessing significance (section 3 of the Policy) and corresponding amendments to Schedule 1 to reflect the changes in the criteria.	The amendments combine the financial matters into one criteria from three to help provide clarity and reduce duplication.	No disadvantage.	Council could decide not to make these amendments. They provide better clarity to staff on how to assess the level of significance. These advantages would be lost if the amendments were not made.
Amendments to the section on matching engagement to significance (section 7 of the Policy)	These changes are designed to improve clarity for the public and staff on these matters.	No disadvantage.	Council could decide not to make these amendments or to alter the wording. They provide better clarity to the public and staff on these matters. These advantages would be lost if the amendments were not made.

How to have your say | Whakahoki kōrero mai

This is your chance to have a say on the draft Significance and Engagement Policy. We want to hear from you.

Please look through what we propose and let us know what you think by 28 April 2024.

Submissions can be made:

• Online using the link on this page
• By dropping it off to Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
• By post to Nelson City Council, PO Box 645, Nelson 7050. Freepost 76919
• By email to submissions@ncc.govt.nz

Consultation information is also available from:

• Our Customer Service Centre at the corner of Trafalgar and Halifax Streets
• The public libraries in Nelson, Tāhunanui and Stoke
• Or talk to a person by calling us on 03 546 0200 to answer your questions.

The Council will inform all submitters that supply their contact details of the final decisions it makes on the rating policies.

Submitters have the opportunity to present their feedback on these policies verbally to councillors, at the Long Term Plan hearings, which will take place on 9 - 10 May 2024.