Latest news with #AndyWatson
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Yahoo
'I reported on the Jay Slater case from start to finish'
On the afternoon of Thursday June 20 in 2024 I knocked on the door of a semi-detached house in Oswaldtwistle. This was the home of Jay Slater who had disappeared while on holiday in Tenerife. Jay's friends had reported him missing three days earlier. As I waited for someone to answer the door of his home 19-year-old Jay should have been flying back to the UK. I was the first reporter to visit Jay's house; a well-kept semi-detached modern property on the outskirts of town. His mum, Debbie Duncan, had flown out to Tenerife on the Tuesday after she was contacted by officers from Lancashire Constabulary about his disappearance. Jay's stepdad Andy Watson came to the door. The 63-year-old told me that Jay had been reluctant to go abroad for the first time without his family. "[His friends] had to talk him into going, he wasn't really that keen," Andy told me. The following day I spoke to Debbie's mum June; Jay's grandma, at her home near Clitheroe. June told me that her son Glen - Debbie's brother - had flown out to Tenerife to support his sister. June held a framed photo of Jay as she told me that although her family had been trying to shield her from the media coverage of her grandson's disappearance "it's been on the news on telly so much I can't escape it". "I wouldn't be able to go out there, and I'm not sure what help I'd be, I just keep hoping for good news," the then 77-year-old added. "I can't even begin to imagine how Debbie is. She rang me and said he'd gone missing. She didn't tell me at first, I think she was trying not to worry me, but then as time went on... " Over the following three weeks media interest in the case grew as volunteers and search teams scoured the mountainous region around Masca where Jay had last been seen. Missing posters were plastered throughout the island as locals watched the world's media descend on their quiet village. Then came the news that everyone had been dreading. On July 15 Jay's body had been found at the bottom of a ravine. The next day, I sat inside a packed West End Methodist Church in Oswaldtwistle as friends paid tribute to the apprentice bricklayer, and his family began the process of bringing Jay home. During the service Minister Matt Smith described how the news of Jay's death was "not the answer we hoped for". Dozens of teenagers, friends of Jay's, sat on the pews with their arms around each other as a photo of the 19-year-old looked down from screens inside the church. The minister said: "Today it might feel that the darkness has overcome us but today we also stand together and say that we will remember Jay. His light will never go out. We will remember him." Blue ribbons had been tied to every lamppost and railing along the main road in Oswaldtwistle while a flurry of balloons, including one spelling out the number 19 for Jay's tragically young age, were released into the sky above Blackburn Road. The colour became synonymous with Jay and, when his body was finally repatriated, mourners watched as his blue coffin was carried into the chapel at Accrington Cemetery. As Jay had died abroad it was only when his body was brought back to Lancashire that a coroner's investigation was launched. But the language barrier, and issues with locating several witnesses, meant months passed before Jay's family could begin to have some of the answers to their many questions surrounding his disappearance and death. In the meantime, conspiracy theories were widely shared in podcasts and YouTube videos, Jay's family was subjected to cruel accusations and criticism, and his memory was sullied by suggestions he had been involved in criminal activity. As we had seen in the case of Nicola Bulley, while the world waited to find out exactly what had happened, social media sleuths 'investigated' and came to their own conclusions, sometimes based on little more than speculation and suspicion. Jay's family sought to defend his memory and grieve in peace. And so, when an inquest into his death started in May, they hoped it would put an end to the hurtful speculation. But the evidence of five key witnesses was missing. The coroner had already been informed that two of Jay's friends; Lucy Law and Bradley Geoghegan, were on holiday at the time. Two others; Ayub Qassim and Steven 'Rocky' Roccas who had rented the Airbnb where Jay was last seen, couldn't be found. That was also the case with Jay's friend Brandon Hodgson. The coroner agreed with Jay's mum Debbie, when she asked for further attempts to be made to locate the missing witnesses, and the inquest was adjourned. Last week three of the outstanding five witnesses gave evidence. Lucy and Brad spoke about the days leading up to Jay's disappearance while Ayub Qassim, who gave evidence "of his own volition" from a foreign country, was key in explaining why Jay ended up in Masca. Extensive efforts had gone into tracing the remaining two; Brandon Hodgson and Steven 'Rocky' Roccas, but they didn't respond to the coroner's repeated requests to make contact. When the inquest was resumed last week, Lancashire's most senior and highly-experienced coroner Dr James Adeley concluded that Jay's death was an accident, and he also sought to debunk many of the myths which had surrounded the teenager's tragic demise. READ MORE: Jay Slater inquest coroner's final report and findings in full Jay hadn't stolen a watch and he hadn't been the victim of a crime. He had simply made the decision to try to walk home - something many have done similarly in a semi-drunken state. But the scorching heat and remote, mountainous terrain meant that decision led to him losing his footing and falling to his death. It is clear, from the conclusive evidence present during the inquest, that Jay's death was accidental. Yet while many answers were provided, nobody can ever explain how Jay managed to fall into the Juan Lopez ravine. At least now, Jay's family finally have some of the answers they have waited so long for, and they will no doubt be hoping that they can finally allow Jay to rest in peace and rebuild their lives after 12 months of unimaginable pain. Subscribe to our daily newsletter LANCS LIVE NEWS and get all the biggest stories from across Lancashire direct to your inbox
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Rangitīkei District Council Adopts Annual Plan 2025/26
At its Council meeting held on Thursday 26 June, Rangitīkei District Council adopted its Annual Plan for 2025/26, and reduced the average rates rise from the 9.1% percent that was consulted on, to 7.9%. Reducing the average rates increase by 1.2% percent equates to a $457,763 (including GST) reduction in spend for the next financial year, without impacting Council's level of service to Rangitīkei residents. The efficiencies were found through interest cost savings and revising the level of depreciation that Council is required to recover through rates. Rangitīkei District Mayor Andy Watson says that Council recognises the strain that rates rises puts on household budgets. He hailed the efforts of staff and the advocacy of elected members, who listened to the concerns of residents and worked together with staff to balance rates affordability and moving Rangitīkei forward. 'This is an incredible achievement in the face of rising costs and such an expansive planned programme of work. As household costs rise, so too do Council costs. It's about balance: The work we need to do to keep Rangitīkei running, delivering to the needs and desires of our community, positioning Rangitīkei for economic growth and development, and maintaining affordability for ratepayers.' The Annual Plan 2025/26 confirms Council's work plan for the year ahead, which includes repairs to the Marton Swim Centre, completing the switch to Marton's new water supply, continuing the District Plan review, construction of the Calico Line Shared Pathway and beginning work on the Taihape Town Hall and Library redevelopment. 'The sheer speed and volume of change and headwind facing local government continues to put immense pressure on our progress. I appreciate all the effort that has gone into this Annual Plan, and into ensuring Rangitīkei is well positioned to confidently face challenges with optimism,' adds Mayor Andy. The adopted Annual Plan will be available from our website shortly.
NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Bigger may be better: Late advice shake-up forces councils to rethink water reform plans
At a meeting on Thursday, Rangitīkei District Council confirmed its preference to establish a multi-council water services council-controlled organisation (WS-CCO) under the Government's Local Water Done Well reforms. The three-council proposal remains on the table, but Rangitīkei unanimously resolved to progress 'newly ignited conversations' with Palmerston North City Council and Horowhenua District Council. The surprise move comes after new guidelines from the Department of Internal Affairs, the Local Government Funding Agency, and the Commerce Commission on achieving economy of scale and financial sustainability requirements. Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson said the Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and Whanganui councils were newly approached in early May about collaborating with the Palmerston North and Horowhenua councils to form a larger entity. A key element of the new guidance was that a WS-CCO servicing 50,000 connections would achieve the greatest cost efficiencies for bill payers. 'The understanding that 50,000 connections would unlock greater savings for all those involved has absolutely contributed to other councils re-entering discussions about a wider model,' Watson said. A three-council entity with Rangitīkei, Ruapehu, and Whanganui councils would service about 31,000 connections. Rangitīkei consulted with residents in March on three models for the future of water services delivery: A multi-CCO with Whanganui and Ruapehu district councils (the preferred model). Keeping the status quo of in-house delivery. A multi-CCO with as many councils in the Manawatū-Whanganui region as possible. At the time, the third option was not viable because other councils had indicated they preferred alternative models. Following the latest advice, talks have reopened on a wider regional approach. Rangitīkei was now awaiting the decisions of its potential partners, Watson said. Staff would finalise the water services delivery plan by September 3. 'We will inform Rangitīkei residents as soon as the final grouping of councils is clear,' Watson said. 'This is one of the biggest decisions councils will make for their communities in decades.' A decision in Whanganui was deferred on Tuesday to an extraordinary council meeting in early July. Mayor Andrew Tripe said four viable delivery options remained on the table: a multi-CCO with Ruapehu and Rangitīkei, a Whanganui District Council CCO, a multi-CCO with as many councils as possible, and an in-house business unit. Most community feedback showed residents felt Whanganui had invested well in its water assets and did not want to 'cross-subsidise' other councils. 'However, we are looking at a joint council proposal which could include a non-harmonised model, ring-fencing costs for each council but giving the benefits of scale – otherwise known as local pricing.' The council was continuing to back a three-council model as the best level of scale to achieve cost benefits, but Tripe said the possibility of achieving 'greater scale' would be investigated. Under local pricing, residents within each district would be charged on the same basis as currently, but any savings were shared. Advertise with NZME. 'All three councils' customers in this case benefit from these savings, while paying costs that relate only to the delivery of services in their district. So customers pay less than they would have if councils were to go on their own.' The cost benefits could be around $18,000 per Whanganui connection over 30 years, or $588 a year. 'Local pricing may also offer further savings to Whanganui if there is a greater scale, something which requires further investigation.' Tripe said councils took their preferred options to consultation before the new guidelines were received. 'It is pertinent that we consider them now, as considerations such as public liability and ring-fencing of assets, even with an in-house model, do come at a cost. 'The adoption of a water services delivery plan for our district is one of the most significant changes to local government in decades. 'It is vital that we do not rush this process.' On Wednesday, Ruapehu district councillors decided to ditch a standalone option in favour of the three-council CCO and investigating a wider regional entity to reach the 50,000-connection threshold. The decision brings potential collaboration with Waikato back to the table. The Ruapehu council will engage with its community on the new information and options available. No new preferred option will be offered. The council will meet on June 25 to make a final decision.
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Bigger May Be Better: Late Advice Shake-Up Forces Councils To Re-Think Water Reform Plans
Plans for the future of water services in the Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu districts are in disarray after late advice from government agencies. The district's three councils have been weighing options for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater reform after identifying and consulting on a joint water services entity as their preferred model. But the eleventh-hour advice is shaking up proposals by smaller councils to continue providing standalone services or with small clusters of neighbours in joint models. In the central districts, councils are scrambling to re-open talks on forming bigger regional collectives. At a meeting on Thursday, Rangitīkei District Council confirmed its preference to establish a multi-council water services council-controlled organisation (WS-CCO) under the Government's Local Water Done Well reforms. The three-council proposal remains on the table, but Rangitīkei unanimously resolved to progress 'newly ignited conversations' with Palmerston North City Council and Horowhenua District Council. The surprise move comes after new guidelines from the Department of Internal Affairs, the Local Government Funding Agency and the Commerce Commission on achieving economy of scale and financial sustainability requirements. Rangitīkei mayor Andy Watson said the Rangitīkei, Ruapehu, and Whanganui councils were newly approached in early May about collaborating with the Palmerston North and Horowhenua councils to form a larger entity. A key element of the new guidance was that a WS-CCO servicing 50,000 connections would achieve the greatest cost efficiencies for bill payers. 'The understanding that 50,000 connections would unlock greater savings for all those involved has absolutely contributed to other councils re-entering discussions about a wider model,' Watson said. A three-council entity with Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and Whanganui councils would service about 31,000 connections. Rangitīkei consulted with residents in March on three models for the future of water services delivery: • A multi-CCO with Whanganui and Ruapehu district councils (the preferred model). • Keeping the status quo – in-house delivery. • A multi-CCO with as many councils in the Manawatū-Whanganui region as possible. At the time, the third option was not viable because other councils had indicated they preferred alternative models. Following the latest advice, talks have re-opened on a wider regional approach. Rangitīkei was now awaiting the decisions of its potential partners, Watson said. Staff would finalise the Water Services Delivery Plan by September 3. 'We will inform Rangitīkei residents as soon as the final grouping of councils is clear,' Watson said. 'This is one of the biggest decisions councils will make for their communities in decades.' A decision in Whanganui was deferred on Tuesday to an extraordinary council meeting in early July. Mayor Andrew Tripe said four viable delivery options remained on the table: a multi-CCO with Ruapehu and Rangitīkei, a Whanganui District Council CCO, a multi-CCO with as many councils as possible, and an in-house business unit. Most community feedback showed residents felt Whanganui had invested well in its water assets and did not want to 'cross-subsidise' other councils. 'However, we are looking at a joint council proposal which could include a non-harmonised model, ring-fencing costs for each council but giving the benefits of scale – otherwise known as Local Pricing.' The council was continuing to back a three-council model as the best level of scale to achieve cost benefits, but Tripe said the possibility of achieving 'greater scale' would be investigated. Under Local Pricing, residents within each district would be charged on the same basis as currently, but any savings were shared. 'All three councils' customers in this case benefit from these savings, while paying costs that relate only to the delivery of services in their district. So customers pay less than they would have if councils were to go on their own.' The cost benefits could be around $18,000 per Whanganui connection over 30 years, or $588 a year. 'Local Pricing may also offer further savings to Whanganui if there is a greater scale, something which requires further investigation." Tripe said councils took their preferred options to consultation before the new guidelines were received. 'It is pertinent that we consider them now, as considerations such as public liability and ring-fencing of assets, even with an in-house model, do come at a cost. 'The adoption of a water services delivery plan for our district is one of the most significant changes to local government in decades,' Tripe said. 'It is vital that we do not rush this process.' On Wednesday, Ruapehu district councillors decided to ditch a standalone option in favour of the three-council CCO and investigating a wider regional entity to reach the 50,000-connection threshold. The decision brings potential collaboration with Waikato back to the table. The Ruapehu council will engage with its community on the new information and options available. No new preferred option will be offered. The council will meet on 25 June to make a final decision.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Rangitīkei District Council Confirms Collaborative Approach To Water Reforms
At the Council meeting held Thursday 22 May 2025, Rangitīkei District Council cemented its desire to work collaboratively with neighbouring councils to establish a Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation. It unanimously resolved to progress newly ignited conversations with Palmerston North City Council and Horowhenua District Council, alongside Whanganui and Ruapehu District Councils - should they choose to. Rangitīkei District Council consulted with residents in March on three models for the future of water services delivery in Rangitīkei, as required by Local Water Done Well. Model 1: A Multi Council-Controlled Organisation with Whanganui District Council and Ruapehu District Council (Council's preferred model). Model 2: Keep the status quo – inhouse delivery. Model 3: A Multi Council-Controlled Organisation with as many Councils in the Manawatū-Whanganui region as possible. At the time of consultation, Model 3 - the development of a Council-Controlled Organisation with as many Councils in the Manawatū-Whanganui region as possible, was not viable. This was because other Councils had indicated a preference for alternative models. In early May 2025, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu, and Whanganui District Councils were approached about collaborating with Palmerston North City Council and Horowhenua District Council to form a larger entity. 'We have received new guidance from the Department of Internal Affairs, the Local Government Funding Agency, and the Commerce Commission on the role each will play in the regulation of Local Water Done Well, and how Councils can best achieve economies of scale in a Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation,' says Rangitīkei Mayor, Andy Watson. A key element of this guidance is that a Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation servicing 50,000 connections would achieve the greatest cost efficiencies for bill payers. 'The understanding that 50,000 connections would unlock greater savings for all those involved has absolutely contributed to other councils re-entering discussions about a wider model,' says Mayor Andy. In the meeting, Mayor Andy extended an apology to Rangitīkei residents that the consultation document presented was not as comprehensive as Council would have liked; 'Government timelines are tight. Councils across New Zealand have had to consult with their communities without a full picture of what Local Water Done Well will look like, and certainty around how it will be implemented.' Of the 90 submissions received during public consultation, feedback was largely supportive of Council's preference to collaborate. Feedback also indicated Council's preferred model at the time - a smaller entity with Ruapehu and Whanganui District Councils (servicing approximately 31,000 connections) - would ensure local voice was balanced alongside the desire to decrease cost. There was concern from some submitters that an organisation too big would silence the Rangitīkei voice. Deputy Mayor and Central Ward Councillor, Dave Wilson, addressed these concerns directly, Deputy Mayor and Central Ward Councillor, Dave Wilson, addressed these concerns directly, assuring Rangitīkei residents that local voice will be prioritised in the governance structure of any future entity. 'Local voice remains central and will be prioritised. I understand and appreciate the concerns shared by our communities; however, I am also confident Rangitīkei voice will be protected in a larger Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation because that is the desire of Rangitīkei District Council,' said Councillor Wilson. Rangitīkei District Council will look to ensure that the constitution of the new Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation identifies key issues where agreement among the councils is required. In addition, Council accepted the preference expressed by Rangitīkei rural water supply schemes to not be transferred to the new entity. Partnership with iwi was also top of mind. Rangitīkei District Council resolved to continue working with Rangitīkei iwi and hapū on how best to combine their responsibilities as kaitiaki of the water ways and land with the councils' responsibilities for a safe and efficient provision of water services. The strong working relationship Rangitīkei District Council has with its neighbours was seen by Councillors and staff as a real strength of its strong negotiating position. Rangitīkei District Council Chief Executive, Carol Gordon, reiterated that relationships built on trust and transparency have been and will continue to be central to success. Rangitīkei District Council's decision is subject to its potential partners making their decision clear in the coming month: Palmerston North City Council will make its decision Wednesday 4 June Horowhenua District Council will make its decision Wednesday 4 June Ruapehu District Council will make its decision Wednesday 25 June Whanganui District Council will make its decision in early July Once all decisions have been made, staff will finalise the Water Services Delivery Plan which must be submitted to Government by September 3, 2025. We will inform Rangitīkei residents as soon as the final grouping of councils is clear. 'This is one of the biggest decisions Councils will make for their communities in decades. The three waters, Local Water Done Well debate has involved a huge workload over the last few years. 'I thank all who have engaged in this important work, and the staff who have worked incredibly hard to get to this stage. I am so proud of our Councillors and their drive to deliver long-term benefit for Rangitīkei,' says Mayor Andy.
