Council submissions: importance of digital equity template
This April, many of our councils are going out to public consultation for a document called the Long Term Plan (LTP) and I want to make it easy for you to tell them why digital equity matters.
Easy I say? Yes I know - engaging with council can be scary and from an outsider can feel very complicated. This is partly because it is by its very nature a very formal process. This is because of the way we make democratic decisions in Aotearoa New Zealand and how the Local Government Act tells councils how they need to do this. I only learnt a lot about how councils worked because I had to while working for my district council for two years. But it is a valuable process to get involved in, it allows you to formally tell your local councillors what they are getting right, the things they are not and how your community feels. Many others before you have made a difference by using these tools.
Digital equity is foundational to councils in ensuring our communities are connected, engaged and thriving and you can let them know this April through your local LTP process why digital equity matters for your region and the services councils provide now and into the future.
LTP…what?
So what are Long Term Plans (LTP)? Council loves an acronym. LTPs are plans looking forward 10 years. They are collated and presented by Council’s every three years to explain how they intend to spend money and build or reduce services in your community.
Councils must consult with their communities and give an opportunity for people to share their thoughts and visions for the future. Some Councils (approximately 10 in total and those serving smaller areas) have taken a one-off opportunity to defer their Long Term Plan in 2024. Instead you may be presented with an enhanced Annual Plan instead. The engagement and submission process is similar but only looking forward one year. Annual Plans are what normally happens between the 3 year cycle of LTPs. Basically the LTP is giving you a bigger picture view of where money might be spent over a number of years or where it might cost a lot of money: things like investment into big projects like new buildings or water infrastructure or even shutting down services like swimming pools or selling assets.
Most councils will have published their LTP consultation documents at the start of April 2024 with a four to six week window to let them know what you think. That’s why it is the perfect time to create a useful template to help you or your community have your say.
The purpose of this template and how to use it
This template provides a local government specific overview of digital equity. Rather than having to spend time researching and collating specific information and digital equity principles, this provides a summary of why digital equity is important in the context of and language used and understood by city, district and regional councils of New Zealand.
You can use this template to support your submission for things that enable digital inclusion in your community. This may be things like: building a new library (😄) or cutting a library's hours or staff (😥), closing suburban council service centres and moving more services online (🤔), or increasing or reducing funding or other support like discounted leases to community organisations or groups (💰).
You can pick and choose the elements of this letter and information that are relevant to your submission, you could use it to copy and paste into council specific submission channels such as online surveys or by email, or use it to create a letter.
Areas that can be adapted to your region or interests are highlighted in yellow.
Your local council will outline how they will accept long term submissions (such as online forms, letters or emails) and the deadlines you must meet. You can request to speak to your submission, which usually means presenting to your council in meetings where they consider your ideas when finalising the LTP. When the LTP is accepted, the council is then accountable to that document.
This template can also be adapted for other council submissions and consultations such as local bylaws and strategies or even to support council funding applications. Use it as you need it and let us know if you have any tips or tricks to share with our digital equity community.
Why you should submit
It may sometimes feel like councils make decisions without us. However, as I said, LTPs exist because they are required by the Local Government Act to consult and engage with communities before they decide anything. They must consider your views. It is important to use your voice to make it clear what matters to your and your community.
Community feedback has already been successful in the planning lead up to these plans. Here are two examples:
Wellington City Council’s original draft LTP suggested closing three suburban libraries to reduce costs. Media coverage and public response to this led to councillors voting not to include this proposal in the formal LTP.
Tauranga City Council proposed significant operational and rent increases to use and occupy council property including land and buildings that are used by community organisations. These groups pushed back and were successful in having these reviewed.
Stratford District Council voted against including a proposal to close their public library on Saturdays
It is also important to show support for initiatives that will support digital equity, some examples across the motu are:
Christchurch City Council has indicated its commitment to funding their public libraries, noting the importance of this to their community “ More than just books, the city’s libraries provide people with the resources and spaces to connect, learn and participate. By ensuring free and equitable access for all, our libraries enable people to strengthen their communities – culturally, socially and economically. Of the $140 million capital spend proposed for our libraries as part of this LTP, we’ve budgeted $28.8 million for the rebuild the earthquake-damaged South Library and Service Centre building”
Whanganui District Council has proposed they increase the value of their community grants funding pool. “Council provides community grants to organisations which provide services or events focused on community health, safety and wellbeing. Council recognises that such services and events are needed now more than ever, and therefore recommend increasing the community grant funding by $100,000.”
Hutt City Council recognises Petone Library as a key asset that is not currently meeting the needs of their community and proposes a $10 million investment to create a resilient multipurpose facility to offer more services to their community.
We got this
What are you waiting for? Don’t miss your local council’s deadline. Check out our template here:
RESOURCE HUB LINK : A PDF with suggested information to copy and paste as needed
GOOGLE DOC LINK : This will automatically create a copy for you to edit as needed
Together we are stronger and closer to closing the digital divide for all of Aotearoa.
Kia Kaha!
Jo