Getting to know your neighbours can make the difference between merely occupying an address and living in a neighbourhood of friends.
The week from 30 October to 7 November will be the chance to catch up with people and the Council’s eight community boards want to help make it happen. They will be offering a small subsidy to encourage people to take the lead in organising a community event or activity to bring their neighbourhood together.
“We would encourage residents to take this opportunity to contact their community boards to apply for the funding,” says Carolyn Gallagher, Community Support Manager.
“There is a cut-off date for the subsidy application so the sooner it is done, the better,’’ says Ms Gallagher. “Letters have also been sent to local businesses and community groups inviting participation.
Applications for the subsidy is a simple process of filling a form that can be either downloaded at www.ccc.govt.nz/neighbourhoodweek or picked up from a local Service Centre. The website also has handy tips and ideas about planning an event.
Applications for funding from the Community Boards open on 2 August and closes on 3 September.
Neighbourhood Week encourages participation from individuals, local businesses and community groups to hold local get-togethers in their streets.
Popular activities from previous Weeks range from street barbeques, pot luck luncheons/dinners, kite flying day, dessert evening, morning/afternoon teas, pizza parties, games in the park, street garage sale, gifting balloons and chocolates to neighbours and street clean-up days.
About the subsidy:
The subsidy is a reimbursement of expense, not a cash payout before the event.
Once you have been notified in writing of your application approval, the individual(s) organising your event must retain receipts of the expenses incurred for the event, attaching the receipts to the ‘Subsidy Reimbursement Form’ that will be posted to you in order for the Board to reimburse your small subsidy.
