Peter Carr with Cr MIke Montgomerie
It would be fair to observe that occasionally I have been a tad critical of the performances of those driving Waipā District Council and both elected and management levels.
Waipa CEO Steph O’Sullivan
In fact, one of the elected number approached me last week asking how he could make contact with me to express his opposing views. Possibly (could that be hopefully?) because he has recognised a general displeasure with his performance which, sadly, stems from within the council and outside. But one can only hope.
Peter Carr
But to prove that I can be fair-minded and, occasionally, rational I would like to offer a plaudit for recent change at the top of the 332 person staff structure. But first a recap.
For 15 years the chief executive’s chair has been occupied by a long-time and very honest servant of the council – in fact a total career with the same employer. Over the more recent years the perceived silence from the top has been almost stultifying.
This is not meant as a character assassination, far from it, but an aura of silence where questions asked by the electorate regarding the presence of the chief executive revealed a broad lack of knowledge as to the holder of the title. This, coupled with a general history of longevity among senior officers, and a previous mayor who came through the same staff pipeline, revealed that Sleepy Hollow was alive and well.
A change of mayor two years ago was a sharp reminder that change is possible. The new mayor was someone with very little direct local body experience but a wide political knowledge gained at the knee of her mother. Someone with a sharp legal brain and the ability to sum up a situation cleanly and promptly with the realisation that there was a need for change.
Last week at the Cambridge Town Hall we witnessed a breath of fresh air when the mayor updated us with a short treatise about how she searched for – and found – a new chief for the council. It was a balanced and well set out rationale of why change was needed and how her choice would hopefully meet that challenge.
And then the new incumbent herself. Clear presentation, a smattering of simple slides. An admission that the council had made a major mistake (a few attendees almost fainted) and a promise to ‘do better’. It was balanced with a clear and apposite explanation – using a ball-and-chain analogy – as to why local body management leaders cannot always meet the immediate demands of the electorate.
Welcome to Waipā, Steph O’Sullivan. Clearly you will address the sad, local body mix-up between management and governance. Clarity and a professional open attitude will be very welcome which should engender a reciprocal support for sensible and beneficial progress all round.
See: Chamber reveals consultants’ bill
See: New CEO on first two months
The News’ columnist Peter Carr catches up with Waipa councillor Mike Montgomerie at the Meet the Waipa CEO event held in the Town Hall. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
