Jo Davies-Colley
Our role as elected members is to advocate for and understand the needs and concerns of all sectors of our community. Recently, Cambridge Community Board has been engaging with the disability sector in Cambridge.
Some of the concerns we heard were around accessibility in the Central Business District where some members of the disabled community find it hard to navigate past signs, tables and chairs. We also heard that some of the disabled parks may be difficult for some to access because they are on steep ground or are too angled.
We have passed their concerns onto Waipā District Council and encouraged community members to submit to the Public Places Bylaw review council is undertaking. Board members attended a disability health event run by Interlock Trust as they sought to raise awareness and inclusion of their community. It was great to meet members of the community and see the organisations and groups that support this sector, some of which included Achievement House, Peer Support, Enabling Good Lives and Cambridge Community House.
Susan O’Regan
Mayor Susan O’Regan and I took a tour of Cambridge Community House last week and met the great team there. The house is leading the way in our community in supporting Cambridge locals who need help with their finances, mental health, housing and food support, transport assistance and drug and alcohol counselling. Although not often visible, these issues are present in our community and the house does an amazing job in caring for and supporting those in need.
Our new library/community hub advocacy continues with our library survey out now to all our local schools. We are particularly interested in our young people’s ideas on a new library and their thoughts and opinions around a community hub. We have had a good response so far with over 100 surveys returned. We have a $100 Paper Plus voucher prize up for grabs so if you haven’t filled out our survey please do.
Planning is underway for the visiting delegation from Le Quesnoy, our sister city, in November. The group of 14 will be hosted by residents and will celebrate Armistice Day in Cambridge, as well as experience the beauty and interest of the Waipā district. The Le Quesnoy City Sister working group is hard at work organising a full and exciting programme for our French friends.
The weather is looking good for this Saturday’s Te Awa River Ride Light Night. This will be a great opportunity to ride or walk part of the Te Awa trail which will be lit up for a special and unique experience.
A reminder that we have a public forum before all of our monthly meetings. If you have any concerns or issues that you would like to discuss with us, please come along or feel free to email me. We would love to hear from you.
Te Awa River Ride Light Night starts at the Gaslight Theatre in Cambridge.
