Council keen to expand working with region's voluntary sector

The different ways Bay of Plenty Regional Council can support and work with volunteers and the not-for-profit sector will be further investigated by staff following a report to Councillors last week.

At Council’s Strategic Policy and Planning Committee, councillors agreed to look at further ways the voluntary sector may be able to help it deliver on activities that contribute to Council Outcomes, following a number of submissions on the topic to its Annual Plan and Ten Year Plan processes.

Committee Chair Raewyn Bennett said major events during the past couple of years, including the Rugby World Cup, the Rena grounding and the Christchurch earthquakes have highlighted the invaluable role of volunteers in today’s society.

“Council already engages with, and supports, a number of voluntary organisations through its activities in the Ten Year Plan such as the Environmental Enhancement Fund, Coast Care Bay of Plenty and through other care groups,” Mrs Bennett said. “However we want to know where other opportunities for support might exist in the Bay of Plenty, where groups are working towards outcomes that are similar to what we’re striving to achieve.

“The submissions we received have clearly shown us that this is a part of our community that would like to get behind the work we do, and is looking for our support to do it.

“This might not be only about providing funding to a group, but instead sharing resources or knowledge where appropriate. We acknowledge there is already some excellent work being done by a wide range of volunteer groups in the Bay of Plenty and want to make sure the resources we have available are being leveraged to get the greatest outcomes for the region.”

Council staff will investigate further options for working with the voluntary sector and will report back to Council.