The summer season begins for the Maniototo Early Settlers Association with a community grant of $8,300 toward annual operating costs.

It was one of two grants issued on Thursday (September 15) by the Maniototo Community Board.

The second, a promotional grant, was for $4,000 to Naseby Information and Craft Inc for annual expenses.

The board had $15,000 to distribute for the 2022/23 community grants and $5,000 for the 2022/23 promotion grants, over two funding rounds, the second being in March next year.

Sue Umbers is standing down from the board this election after 18 years service

It was the final meeting of the current board prior to the October 8 elections.

Only Sue Umbers is standing down and she was thanked for her considerable service to the board which began in 2004.

Board member Stuart Duncan said Sue had been a great representative of the community.

She had always brought plenty of things to the board’s attention from members of the public.

He said the new council would likely “look different” and less experienced elected members coming on would need staff support.

There was a high volume of work done by councillors that was rarely seen or reported in the media, he said.

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