Viewpoint – Cuts concerning

There’s no better time than the election to listen to people’s aspirations, ideas and concerns for their community. For me it’s also another opportunity to get around the Hibiscus Coast and appreciate the special qualities that make it a great place to live.

Thank you for the privilege to represent this wonderful area and its people. The passion and purpose I have remain as strong as ever and so does my commitment to perform as best I can.

Libraries and parks are hugely appreciated and greatly enjoyed – so it is concerning to hear media reports of potential staff cuts and changes in service. Sure, there is an expectation that council has to make savings and the new Mayor has made that clear, but libraries especially are vitally important parts of our communities – all the more so as local banks, post offices, clubs and societies are often scaling back, downsizing and struggling with membership drops. On-line services have their place but physical contact is the social glue that keeps our communities healthy. There is no substitute for the dedicated and helpful librarians who can assist with much more than finding books and information.

The operational side of council is technically the control of the chief executive with limited authority and control by the council. The council employs the chief executive who then employs and oversees the organisation and its delivery of services. This is where I believe the council needs to exert more influence because it is the council’s operations where both savings and improvements need to be made.  And it is ‘how’ you do it that plays the biggest part in ‘what’ gets delivered. When you make big changes to staffing and organization those changes fundamentally affect performance.  The council, and I believe the community and local boards, should be more able to show and effect leadership and priorities where they want them.

More than likely the next election will offer on-line voting. This may not increase participation however it does offer more possibilities for participation by digital feedback. If council is to lift its game and win more confidence from the community monitoring and feedback from the wider community is essential.

To carry out our role effectively as councillors we also need feedback and support.  I’m a strong believer in being pro-active rather than reactive. This means knowing what’s going on, working with people in the community, making the best case possible and having the support to make it happen.

This applies to a number of projects and issues. Transport is a big one with the need to reduce roading congestion urgently through a number of intiatives while continuing to advance the case for Penlink; I will continue to push constructively for alternative sources of finance – other than rates – which is the biggest part of the solution. The buy-out of the potential lease of the Hammerhead will need public support. So will putting the council owned Archers Block land into public reserve.

Ideas, suggestions and help are always welcome. Don’t make the assumption that people in council have got all the answers and identified all the opportunities!

Thanks again for the support that elected myself and fellow councillor John Watson.  You have a team of hard working committed councillors with the passion and fortitude to represent you well and who appreciate the confidence you place in us.