Matt Cowley Tauranga City Councillor

What a way to finish the year! The final week of council in 2014 contained a few surprises, but overall it shows we've made good progress during the last 12 months.

The year-to-date looks like we'll make $11.7 million operating surplus by June 30, 2015 – which is $3.7 million more than budgeted.

Staff forecast our net debt at June 30, 2015, to be $72.4 million less than budgeted, with $60 million assumed for Route K.

However, the relocation of 200 staff out of council's administration building on Willow St is likely to change some financial forecasts.

I understand the building has leaked during many years following constant additions and alterations. We aim to deliver most services without disruption as we transition from response mode to recovery mode during the summer break.

Council agreed to support the Papamoa East Special Housing Area, subject to conditions around building height, road safety, and tsunami evacuation routes as requested by councillor Steve Morris.

Council directed the chief executive to report back on the implications of council setting a living wage policy for its employees.

I didn't support it; not because I don't acknowledge the growing inequality problem, but because it's likely to require a lot of internal resources and media attention, yet achieve relatively very little.

I support council being a good employer and setting professional development programmes to mutually benefit staff and the organisation. I also think our resources are better focused on supporting the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership to ensure local people can fit the skill shortages in our local economy.

The Bay of Plenty Tertiary Strategy, as discussed at SmartGrowth on Wednesday, will play a key role in reaching out to those who may have fallen off the vocational pathway by delivering accessible work-related skills, which is demanded by local industries.

Thank you for reading and providing feedback on my columns throughout the year. This will be my last column for a few weeks as council takes a break from formal meetings.

You can reach all elected members by emailing electedmembers@tauranga.govt.nz if you have any thoughts during the summer break. We'll be around the city throughout summer attending lots of different events.

On behalf of all elected members, we wish you all an enjoyable and safe festive season. See you in 2015!

Feel free to email me your thoughts (matt.cowley@tauranga.govt.nz), call/text me on 027 6989 548, and follow me at www.facebook.com/a.younger.voice.