Latest news with #NevilleAtkinson
1News
4 days ago
- General
- 1News
Land opened up to build shared housing for older residents
A social housing initiative — described as ''like flatting for older people'' — is a step closer to becoming a reality in North Canterbury. The Waimakariri District Council agreed to enter into an agreement to support and provide land for an Abbeyfields house to be built in Rangiora, at a meeting on Tuesday. An Abbeyfields house offers supported housing for single older people of limited means. Addressing the council meeting, Abbeyfield Waimakariri Incorporated chairperson Valda Reveley said it was "like flatting for older people". She said granting the lease would allow her organisation to get on with raising the funds it needed to build the house. ADVERTISEMENT "It will be a one-storey house and, from the road, it will look like the surrounding houses – only bigger. "We call it a house, but it will be a home for those who don't have many options." The concept was a large house with 12 to 14 studio units, a shared living room, dining room, laundry and, often, gardens. Residents could share meals together and connect with each other. The trust would employ a housekeeper and a cook to prepare the meals, but it would otherwise be run by volunteers. Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson, the council's housing portfolio holder, said entering into the agreement was "a huge step forward". "We have been told about the needs of social housing many times and we have a role to play in looking after those in need in our community and by enabling people to look after social housing." ADVERTISEMENT Atkinson said he and Mayor Dan Gordon had visited the Abbeyfields house in Hornby, Christchurch, and were impressed with what they saw. Gordon said the council should support social housing initiatives such as Abbeyfields and a recent initiative to provide shared housing for women. "Why wouldn't we be looking after people in our community at a time in their life when they most need it? "Not everyone can afford to go to a Ryman or another model." Councillor Niki Mealings said the council already provided older person's housing, and by working in partnership with Abbeyfields, it could provide housing "with no additional cost to ratepayers". Councillor Tim Fulton said the partnership was an example of the council enabling people to do "what they do best". The council had been working with the community to support the establishment of an Abbeyfields house in Waimakariri for the past four years, as part of its efforts to address housing shortages in the district. Under the agreement, the council would enter into a 33-year lease with Abbeyfield Waimakariri Incorporated to lease a site in Kingsbury Ave, Rangiora. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Shared housing for elderly a step closer in Rangiora
A social housing initiative, described as "flatting for older people", is a step closer to becoming a reality in Canterbury. The Waimakariri District Council agreed to enter into an agreement to support and provide land for an Abbeyfields house to be built in Rangiora, at a meeting on Tuesday. An Abbeyfields house offers supported housing for single older people of limited means. Addressing the council meeting, Abbeyfield Waimakariri Incorporated chairperson Valda Reveley said it was "like flatting for older people". She said granting the lease will allow her organisation to get on with raising the funds it needs to build the house. "It will be a one-storey house and from the road it will look like the surrounding houses - only bigger. "We call it a house, but it will be a home for those who don't have many options." The concept is a large house with 12 to 14 studio units, a shared living room, dining room, laundry and often gardens. Residents can share meals together and connect with each other. The trust will employ a housekeeper and a cook to prepare the meals, but it will otherwise be run by volunteers. Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson, the council's housing portfolio holder, said entering into the agreement is "a huge step forward". "We have been told about the needs of social housing many times and we have a role to play in looking after those in need in our community and by enabling people to look after social housing." Atkinson said he and Mayor Dan Gordon had visited the Abbeyfields house in Hornby, Christchurch, and were impressed with what they saw. Gordon said the council should support social housing initiatives such as Abbeyfields and a recent initiative to provide shared housing for women. "Why wouldn't we be looking after people in our community at a time in their life when they most need it? "Not everyone can afford to go to a Ryman or another model." Councillor Niki Mealings said the council already provides older person's housing, and by working in partnership with Abbeyfields, it can provide housing "with no additional cost to ratepayers". Cr Tim Fulton said the partnership is an example of the council enabling people to do "what they do best". The council has been working with the community to support the establishment of an Abbeyfields house in Waimakariri for the past four years, as part of its efforts to address housing shortages in the district. Under the agreement, the council will enter into a 33-year lease with Abbeyfield Waimakariri Incorporated to lease a site in Kingsbury Avenue, Rangiora. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Shared housing for elderly a step closer in Rangiora
Waimakariri District Council is helping with a new initiative to provide housing for those in need. File photo. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER A social housing initiative, described as ''like flatting for older people'', is a step closer to becoming a reality in North Canterbury. The Waimakariri District Council agreed to enter into an agreement to support and provide land for an Abbeyfields house to be built in Rangiora, at a meeting on Tuesday. An Abbeyfields house offers supported housing for single older people of limited means. Addressing the council meeting, Abbeyfield Waimakariri Incorporated chairperson Valda Reveley said it was "like flatting for older people". She said granting the lease will allow her organisation to get on with raising the funds it needs to build the house. "It will be a one-storey house and from the road it will look like the surrounding houses - only bigger. "We call it a house, but it will be a home for those who don't have many options." The concept is a large house with 12 to 14 studio units, a shared living room, dining room, laundry and often gardens. Residents can share meals together and connect with each other. The trust will employ a housekeeper and a cook to prepare the meals, but it will otherwise be run by volunteers. The Waimakariri District Council is backing an initiative to build an Abbeyfields house in Rangiora. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson, the council's housing portfolio holder, said entering into the agreement is "a huge step forward". "We have been told about the needs of social housing many times and we have a role to play in looking after those in need in our community and by enabling people to look after social housing." Atkinson said he and Mayor Dan Gordon had visited the Abbeyfields house in Hornby, Christchurch, and were impressed with what they saw. Gordon said the council should support social housing initiatives such as Abbeyfields and a recent initiative to provide shared housing for women. "Why wouldn't we be looking after people in our community at a time in their life when they most need it? "Not everyone can afford to go to a Ryman or another model." Councillor Niki Mealings said the council already provides older person's housing, and by working in partnership with Abbeyfields, it can provide housing "with no additional cost to ratepayers". Cr Tim Fulton said the partnership is an example of the council enabling people to do "what they do best". The council has been working with the community to support the establishment of an Abbeyfields house in Waimakariri for the past four years, as part of its efforts to address housing shortages in the district. Under the agreement, the council will enter into a 33-year lease with Abbeyfield Waimakariri Incorporated to lease a site in Kingsbury Avenue, Rangiora. * LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Waimakariri's new councillors may get 22% pay bump
Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson and Mayor Dan Gordon. Photo: Waimakariri District Council. Photo: LDR / SUPPLIED Waimakariri's mayor and councillors are set for pay rises of up to 22 percent after October's election. Councillor pay rates will jump from $58,110 to $71,026. Speaking at a council meeting on Tuesday, outgoing Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson said councillors were "well worth" the increased pay rate. The mayor's salary is set to rise 4 percent, from $158,057 to $164,728, while the deputy mayor's salary is proposed to jump 22 percent, from $74,674 to $91,271. The pay jumps are due to an increased remuneration pool. Atkinson said voting on pay rises is "silly" when it is already set by the Remuneration Authority. "It is imposed on you and it has always seemed silly to me that we have to vote on this, when it is already imposed on us. "If you want to give it to charity you can, but if you want to take it, then good on you - you are well worth it." Atkinson said there was plenty of commentary on social media about what bonuses councillors allegedly claimed. "It talks about the bonuses which we actually don't get. We don't get flying allowances - we don't want them, and we don't get lunch allowances - we don't want them. "We want to look after ratepayers' money. "But this extra money will allow people to make a conscious decision of whether they want a full-time job alongside being a councillor or not." Retiring councillor Al Blackie said while councillors did not do it for the money, they did have a big workload. ''A little bit more money in the pot can only be a good thing in encouraging young people and particularly young women to stand.'' Councillor Tim Fulton said his only concern was the ''gaps'' in the childcare allowance, which will increase from $6000 a year to $7500 a year per child. He said it did not take into account the sacrifices a spouse of an elected member might have to make when arranging childcare. Waimakariri District Council governance manager Sarah Nichols said the childcare allowance could not be used to pay a partner or grandparents. ''It is generally used for an independent person or for childcare facilities. ''We have had a handful of members who have claimed it in the time we've had it, and it has never been for anywhere near the total amount allowed.'' The Hurunui District Council last week voted against offering a childcare allowance, despite the support or four councillors. There was no opposition expressed by the 10 councillors or Mayor Dan Gordon to the remuneration package presented, which also includes payrises for community board members. The Remuneration Authority recently completed a review how it determines local government remuneration and well recommended no changes. It considers population, economic growth and the geographic area of the district when setting the remuneration pool for the deputy mayor councillors' salaries. Pay rates across the country vary from about $20,000 at the lower end, to more than $300,000 for Auckland mayor. The payrises for the deputy mayor and remaining nine councillors will be finalised after the local government elections on October 11. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
