(1) Voters are concerned about the level of council spending. How will you keep rates down while retaining essential services?
Answer: Our ability to continue paying for the services ratepayers' want is the biggest challenge we face. The CODC has embarked on two business excellence projects focusing on cost containment. The first will build competency in asset management, the second will explore ways to get us off the depreciation treadmill (or at least slow it down). National experts in both areas are advising us. If we can't make progress in those areas, we're not sustainable.
(2) What are your goals and what should the priorities be for your council?
Answer: The CODC has made significant improvements in our business processes over the past three years, and we now lead the country in some key areas. Recent workshops have taken that work to the next level, with greatly increased clarity about our values and purpose. One of my goals is to lead the organisation over the next few years as we give effect to the intentions that flow from that substantial body of work.