Independent views By Brendan Horan

There have been a number of missed opportunities with the local body elections; questions that may have been asked and chances to influence lost voters.

I have been disappointed at the lack of focus the Bay of Plenty Regional Council elections has received.
Regional council has huge responsibilities that impact on us all.
I believe we risk repeating the same old situation through not having had the opportunity to fully consider regional issues; and to take the opportunity to influence change, add new blood, new vitality, and to explore alternative delivery options on offer.
Some of our environmental groups may have missed a chance to meet the candidates and be informed voters. I have already spoken against national party politics at a community level.
Party politics and local community politics should not mix, as I don't believe we can have strong local economies and vigorous communities when so much public decision-making is made by central government and national parties based in Wellington.
New Zealand is now acknowledged as one of the most fiscally centralised countries in the OECD. In the United Kingdom, the election of the Cameron government has seen a complete turnaround in policy towards local government.
They are seeking to strengthen the decision-making powers of councils and communities through devolving power back to the communities at local government level.
In New Zealand the opposite is happening, with ministers giving themselves greater powers to override decisions made by local and regional councillors and further centralising our public sector.
Without doubt the economy, national and local, benefits the most where decisions are shared and owned by all; where communities and business are seeing outcomes from their efforts with their interests being heard and managed locally.
This is when democracy and liberty is best served.
Facebook.com/Brendan.horan.336 twitter.com/brendanhoran or Phone Brendan on 574 0253.