Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris

In the third part of this series about decisions that have changed our city, choices that are before us now and decisions future leaders will have to contend with, I cover some important topics ahead in 2019.

It's a year of rebuilding the public's confidence in their city council. In my opinion, there have been situations where council has let you down and are now under review; building consents, the former Phoenix Park not meeting expectations, and road changes at Greerton for example.

I'd mention buses too, but that's the responsibility of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Council has focussed a lot on the rejuvenation of the CBD and civic precinct. These are significant, but not as critical as council's core functions such as building regulation, managing growth and improving transportation.

We've employed a new chief executive, who is tasked with making council deliver its core functions better for our community. There's also a restructure underway of senior management.

Several Councillors, including myself, will push for the deferral of $35m set aside for a new central library in favour of more critical issues.

There will also be a push to get 15th Avenue/Turret Road upgraded to at least three lanes as soon as possible (with a two-lane tidal flow during rush hours), but there is an emerging issue with the overheated construction industry.

With more tenders coming in significantly over budget, should council pull back on some projects until the next recession, when prices will be lower?

Next week, challenges for the next generation of leaders.