Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Smart and Connected?
Marlborough Smart and Connected is a breakthrough program that’s facilitated by the Marlborough District Council to empower our communities to find their own destinies and this makes Marlborough a better place for people to live, work and visit. The community engagement approach is sitting at the heart of Smart & Connected as a key reason for the programs significant successes to date. There are four Smart and Connected community groups,Seddon, Renwick, Havelock and Picton.
The Smart & Connected program also supports industry and sector groups including Aquaculture, Viticulture, Labour and Skills, Blenheim Business Association (CBD group), and a Marlborough Visitor Economy.
Seddon Smart and Connected is designed to lead a cohesive way of thinking and advocating in a community that has felt for some time that its voice is not being heard by decision makers. Smart and Connected provided a framework for a steering group to be established, leading to the creation of several working groups on key short and long term issues. These working groups have actively engaged the community, with varying views and opinions that are representative of our community. We aim to bring them towards a majority viewpoint and exert more influence on decisions over its future, while recognising that there will always be some differing views.
2. How is Seddon Smart and Connected funded?
The short answer is that it does not directly receive funds. The Steering Group and Working Group members are all volunteers who give their time outside of their normal work practices. Members are individuals who are passionate about Seddon and its future and so give their time free of charge. The MDC offers support to the programme in several ways:
3. How did the Seddon Smart and Connected group begin?
The Smart+Connected Seddon and Awatere Community programme followed on from community building work done by Dr Blair Stirling in May 2017. With the help of Blair, an Established Group (EG) was created to help design the Smart+Connected approach for Seddon and Awatere Community. The EG first met on 27th September 2017.
Engagement included 25 one on one confidential interviews, a public Smart+Connected Forum attended by a diverse group of more than 70 community representatives and a follow-up implementation workshop attended by 47 community representatives.
Those interested in continuing on the Smart and Connected Seddon and Awatere Valley journey were invited to gather again to
This journey has formed the foundation of today's S+C group.
4. How do I join the Steering Group?
The Seddon Smart and Connected Steering Group aims to maintain a broad cross section of skills, experience, demography and linkages to the community, this guides the makeup of the steering group. The initial Steering Group determined to keep a steady course with the same group into its second year, until its annual public meeting in October 2016 when it invited expressions of interest from potential new members who have a positive, active and engaging vision for the future of Seddon and crucially who work well in a team. The guiding principle is to fill any gaps in skills, demographic representation, and experience.
5. How are the Working Group members selected?
Anyone with a passion for Seddon, a team approach and a positive attitude is welcome to volunteer for a working group, unless the numbers are becoming unwieldy! In that case, there will be opportunities to join project teams to work on specific goals of the WG. Email the leader of the working group you wish to be part of and we will take it from there. ensure each working group has a email address listed on the website.
6. How do I give feedback on the Seddon Smart and Connected initiatives?
We welcome feedback and ideas from all members of the Seddon Community. We are here to bring the community together and speak with a united voice to council so please let us know what you think by emailing us at info@seddonawateresmartandconnected.co.nz. Alternatively, you can join a discussion on our Facebook page.
Please note that we welcome a healthy debate but we do not tolerate intimidating and threatening behaviour and so please keep your comments respectful. Remember, we are volunteers.
7. Is Seddon Smart and Connected working for Marlborough District Council?
No. We are facilitated by the Marlborough District Council but we do not work for them. We have a strong relationship with Marlborough District Council and thus can access information and identify community support that Seddon might otherwise be unaware of. We would be unable to move forward with our initiatives if we did not build a positive working relationship with council. This does not mean that we work for them, or always agree with them.
- What is Smart and Connected?
- How is Smart and Connected funded?
- How did the Seddon Smart and Connected group begin?
- How do I join the Steering Group?
- How are the Working Group members selected?
- How do I give feedback on Seddon Smart and Connected initiatives?
- Is Seddon Smart and Connected working for Marlborough District Council?
1. What is Smart and Connected?
Marlborough Smart and Connected is a breakthrough program that’s facilitated by the Marlborough District Council to empower our communities to find their own destinies and this makes Marlborough a better place for people to live, work and visit. The community engagement approach is sitting at the heart of Smart & Connected as a key reason for the programs significant successes to date. There are four Smart and Connected community groups,Seddon, Renwick, Havelock and Picton.
The Smart & Connected program also supports industry and sector groups including Aquaculture, Viticulture, Labour and Skills, Blenheim Business Association (CBD group), and a Marlborough Visitor Economy.
Seddon Smart and Connected is designed to lead a cohesive way of thinking and advocating in a community that has felt for some time that its voice is not being heard by decision makers. Smart and Connected provided a framework for a steering group to be established, leading to the creation of several working groups on key short and long term issues. These working groups have actively engaged the community, with varying views and opinions that are representative of our community. We aim to bring them towards a majority viewpoint and exert more influence on decisions over its future, while recognising that there will always be some differing views.
2. How is Seddon Smart and Connected funded?
The short answer is that it does not directly receive funds. The Steering Group and Working Group members are all volunteers who give their time outside of their normal work practices. Members are individuals who are passionate about Seddon and its future and so give their time free of charge. The MDC offers support to the programme in several ways:
- the venue for Steering Group meeting for two hours each month (working groups handle their own meeting arrangements)
- attendance of a council liaison person as required and minute taking on request
- providing information/advice in response to requests or for projects
- occasionally a facilitator for review meetings to encourage its S&C program to work as best possible.
- supporting Seddon S&C public meetings.
3. How did the Seddon Smart and Connected group begin?
The Smart+Connected Seddon and Awatere Community programme followed on from community building work done by Dr Blair Stirling in May 2017. With the help of Blair, an Established Group (EG) was created to help design the Smart+Connected approach for Seddon and Awatere Community. The EG first met on 27th September 2017.
Engagement included 25 one on one confidential interviews, a public Smart+Connected Forum attended by a diverse group of more than 70 community representatives and a follow-up implementation workshop attended by 47 community representatives.
Those interested in continuing on the Smart and Connected Seddon and Awatere Valley journey were invited to gather again to
- Review a draft vision made up from the outcomes of the Forum’s vision exercise
- Fine tune the shared opportunities identified in the Forum’s opportunities exercise
- Begin the process of developing solutions that address the opportunities
- Review how a Smart+Connected programme of action could be best governed by the community to maximise the benefit for all members and partners of the community
This journey has formed the foundation of today's S+C group.
4. How do I join the Steering Group?
The Seddon Smart and Connected Steering Group aims to maintain a broad cross section of skills, experience, demography and linkages to the community, this guides the makeup of the steering group. The initial Steering Group determined to keep a steady course with the same group into its second year, until its annual public meeting in October 2016 when it invited expressions of interest from potential new members who have a positive, active and engaging vision for the future of Seddon and crucially who work well in a team. The guiding principle is to fill any gaps in skills, demographic representation, and experience.
5. How are the Working Group members selected?
Anyone with a passion for Seddon, a team approach and a positive attitude is welcome to volunteer for a working group, unless the numbers are becoming unwieldy! In that case, there will be opportunities to join project teams to work on specific goals of the WG. Email the leader of the working group you wish to be part of and we will take it from there. ensure each working group has a email address listed on the website.
6. How do I give feedback on the Seddon Smart and Connected initiatives?
We welcome feedback and ideas from all members of the Seddon Community. We are here to bring the community together and speak with a united voice to council so please let us know what you think by emailing us at info@seddonawateresmartandconnected.co.nz. Alternatively, you can join a discussion on our Facebook page.
Please note that we welcome a healthy debate but we do not tolerate intimidating and threatening behaviour and so please keep your comments respectful. Remember, we are volunteers.
7. Is Seddon Smart and Connected working for Marlborough District Council?
No. We are facilitated by the Marlborough District Council but we do not work for them. We have a strong relationship with Marlborough District Council and thus can access information and identify community support that Seddon might otherwise be unaware of. We would be unable to move forward with our initiatives if we did not build a positive working relationship with council. This does not mean that we work for them, or always agree with them.