Experience or fresh approaches? Tried-and-true or new blood? Waipā’s mayoral candidates appear to agree that the right balance is crucial.
Grey Power Meet the Candidates, from left Mike Pettit, Clare St Pierre and Susan O’Regan. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Susan O’Regan, Clare St Pierre and Mike Pettit were asked about their primary goals should they claim the chains at Waipā District Council.
The incumbent, O’Regan said she plans to continue to put the community’s needs first, while operating efficiency, but change is also on her agenda.
“Council is embarking on significant transformation as the waters team will be migrating out. We’ll need to ensure we manage this effectively, she said. “There’s lots of legislative change on the horizon, so a really smooth transition, providing services as efficiently as we can, is critical.”
Ensuring council works for residents of all ages is on O’Regan’s ‘to do’ list.
“I will continue work on the seniors’ forum as this is, very much, a growing demographic. Similarly, I’m passionate about an effective youth forum because they’re inheriting the benefits or disadvantages of our decision-making today – we can only do this with young people in the room.”
She also intends to strengthen ties with central government.
“I’m really hot on continuing to grow existing good relationships with the Beehive, making sure Waipā’s voice is heard. This will strengthen ongoing investment and help us become a strong economic powerhouse. We’ve made some real gains around this.”
Clare St Pierre said she has a different style to that of O’Regan.
Transparency and a more collaborative approach are among her most important goals.
“If I’m elected, more information will be communicated to help people understand what council is doing, where we’re spending their money,” she said.
Controlling rates rises and understanding costs will take priority.
“What would it take to get the forecast rates rise for the next year down to the rate of inflation? I would work on that early on,” she said. “Also, I want forecasts in advance of staff plans to use consultants before commitments are made.”
Improved management of growth cells is also required, St Pierre said.
“When there’s a new subdivision outside the town boundary, where we rezone the land, these are called growth cells. I want to be on top of the growth formula, with individual reporting for debt and depreciation to understand how new growth cells are playing out,” she said.
“I suspect depreciation is kicking in before we have a reasonable number of sections sold, so costs are pushed back on ratepayers and rates are higher than they need to be.”
Mike Pettit is looking to make changes and improve existing structures. A fresh start and new culture will be required, he said.
“If you have one new person on a team, it’s a new team. I will be trying to set up a new culture, making sure we’re all in it together. We’ll create a plan to upskill councillors, while setting individual and collective goals and expectations for each other.
“I want leadership teams within council and we need evidence that people can lead, not just that they’ve been there however many years or they’re ‘next in line’.”
Pettit also plans to cut costs and push for efficient spending.
“I will try to cut expenses, particularly through staff numbers, and generate more income,” he said. “This also means looking at procurement. A bit like when you build a house, you want to nail down the real costs as much as possible before you start work.”
There is also room for improvement when it comes to communication.
“We need better communication among ourselves, but we also have to be out in the community to get real life feedback about what’s important to our community.”
Susan O’Regan, Mike Pettit, Clare St Pierre.
