Kia ora Friends of the Devonport Peninsula Trust - and thank you once again for signing the Friends of the Devonport Peninsula Trust petition, which asked the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to reconsider its proposal to withdraw all funding from the Trust, and to reinstate the available $98,000 to the Trust.
The 639 signatures were presented to the local board at its 18 July meeting, along with letters of support from many leading local figures.
Fifty supporters attended the meeting, and presentations were made by the Devonport Peninsula Trust and the Friends of the Devonport Peninsula Trust. The members of the local board, however, remained unwavering and set; they did not listen.
It appeared that this level of community support was not taken into account and that the decision had already been made. The board’s resolution did not acknowledge the undeniable value of the community work undertaken by the Trust.
Unfortunately, the Devonport Peninsula Trust has informed us they now in a position where they have had to make their three part-time staff redundant and, as of 31 August 2023, the Trust will no longer be able to carry out its annual programme of community events or support for community groups.
The Trust plans to use the last of the local board funding to fulfil its promise to hold the Halloween Trail on 31 October, for one last time. The Trust is also committed to continuing the Youth Forum until December, and the six-week summer Kids Athletics, and will distribute the toys from the playgroups to local child-care facilities.
The Friends see the value of maintaining a strong community voice on issues that affect us. Watch this space for further updates – and for information on ways you be part of this.
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