This month I will have been a Napier City Councillor for 6 months and reflecting on that time, I have come up with some interesting conclusions.
Firstly it is a hell of a lot bigger commitment then you are ever led to believe as an aspiring candidate. I was told it was 10-15 hours per week and much of that was in the evenings reading the mountain of paperwork that the officers produce.
I can tell you that I spend twice that amount of time on Council commitments.
Secondly it is almost impossible to work full time and also be a Councillor. Virtually all meetings, seminars and presentations are in office hours. Many of the informal seminar type meetings are called at relatively short notice which plays havoc with an appointment diary.
And that presents a real dilemma. The stipend a councillor receives certainly does not substitute for a salary or for self employed earnings so you need to either be of private means or find another job – one that is flexible enough to allow you to attend to council matters.
Thirdly – whilst the commitment may only be 20 or more hours a week – the commitment is spread over the week. There may be a seminar for 3 hours on Monday – a meeting for 2 hours on Tuesday – a visit to Council facilities on Wednesday and so it goes on. Whilst the hours are not great – there are few days when you are free from council responsibilities.
Having said all that – I’m not moaning. I am enjoying being part of the decision making process and now I am beginning to understand how the system works, believe I can make a worthwhile contribution.
The Napier City Council is a very large and extremely complex business. Despite the usual detractor’s comments, it is run very efficiently which is a credit to both the councillors and the council officers. To hold a rate increase to around 4.5% in this day and age is pretty good – just have a look at what other local body’s are doing.
All of Napier’s increase is cost driven. Take the increase cost in tar for roads and footpaths alone. Being an oil based product, the cost of tar has soared.
So on balance – at the six month stage – I am enjoying my role as a councillor despite the commitment required being quite different than I expected.
Must go – I am required at the council.
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