Cr Bill Faulkner Faulkners Corner sunlive.co.nz

Elected members were sworn in this week at the new council's inaugural meeting.

It was interesting to note a larger than usual attendance in the public gallery, made up of members of the community and some of the unsuccessful candidates. This might be a positive indication of greater interest in council's function and business.
Certainly there is a need for better understanding of these matters in some sectors of our community, judging by some comments made during the election campaign by people who should know better.
First everyone signed their declaration: 'I declare that I will faithfully and impartially, and according to the best of my skill and judgement, execute and perform, in the best interests of Tauranga City, the powers, authorities, and duties vested in, or imposed upon, me as Member of the Tauranga City Council by virtue of the Local Government Act 2002, the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, or any other Act.” No mention of wards, boundaries or selected areas of the city, which surely mocks democracy and highlights the ward system as a mechanism of minority governance. As noted last week, voters only got to vote for six of their 10 councillors. We all addressed the meeting with a two-minute time limit, but some turned this into a soliloquy. Hopefully this won't be the pattern for the coming three year term as last term, many hours were wasted by a few elected members waffling on. This impacts on executive staff who must sit through the entire meeting (at large cost) and severely tries the patience and understanding of fellow elected members.

Looking forward
Mayor Stuart Crosby said he looked forward to a positive term with some big issues coming up. The settlement of Treaty of Waitangi claims to local Maori and central government's leaky homes package had the potential to significantly affect council. Close working relationships with other Bay councils would continue, as would the drive within council for better value for ratepayers' dollars. Mayor Crosby also wanted better relationships within the council.
Rick Curach said he would be looking at improving turnout at local government elections by studying possibilities for introducing electronic voting, while Larry Baldock was keen on introducing referendum as a mechanism to establish community wishes on issues.
Tony Christiansen, meanwhile, said he had travelled the world and Tauranga was the best place in it. He looked forward to contributing to keeping our city that way.
I spoke of my concern about rates increases and how I would aim for a limited holding pattern into the future for both rates and planned works and services. I also acknowledged the contribution made by elected members' spouses, partners and families which is essential to an elected member, but rarely gets recognition.
Bill Grainger said all elected members must have respect for each other. He also spoke about developing techniques for encouraging cruise ship passengers to explore Tauranga instead of going to Rotorua.
Murray Guy said he didn't want to thank voters for past battles, but was looking forward to positive outcomes. He was looking forward to building relationships rather than tearing them down and hoped councillors would say what they meant and mean what they said.
Terry Molloy noted that of the 40 per cent who voted, 60 per cent voted for unsuccessful candidates.
Mayor Stuart was the only candidate with voter endorsement. He hoped elected members would leave electioneering behind and that council could earn back public respect and mana. He suggested elected members be made to fill in a weekly report card as a mechanism to improve accountability.
Catherine Stewart hoped to keep rates down. She wanted consultation on leaky homes and wanted the city debt reduced.
David Stewart, re-elected deputy mayor unopposed, wanted greater respect among elected members. He said he hadn't enjoyed the last three years and wanted to put them behind him and start afresh.
Wayne Moultrie highlighted how last term he had tried to get election signs banned. He had failed 10-1 and this had demonstrated that councillors wanting to put anything through needed five others to support them. He used this to illustrate that no one elected member was going to do anything on their own.

Hopes and aspirations
So there it is. Hopes, wishes and aspirations now melt down to the reality of the situation. Certainly we can work on improving council's public image. The standard of debate can be improved without stifling individual views and the more businesslike approach which is needed. All elected members should discourage time-wasting, waffling and constant attempts to undermine decisions that have already been made.
We must also improve the standard of media reporting. That's ‘we', the community. Reports of media already asking elected members what camp they are likely to be in, do not augur well for a positive media future. There are no ‘camps', other than those created by the media. Whilst it's not a positive spin that's being sought, neither is a negative spin. Despite all the media negativity over the past three years council achieved a lot of positive outcomes, sometimes by majority vote – and those outcomes will become apparent this term. The Indoor Sport and Exhibition Centre for example, will be a huge asset to our city.