We are now nearing the halfway point of our term as City Councillors and it is probably a good time to reflect on how things have gone.
Frankly the Napier City Councillors have worked pretty well as a team. There has been none of that petty squabbling that characterized previous councils – we have simply got on with the job in a good working atmosphere.
There are some things however, that we need to be considering right now, with a view to elections in 2010.
Do we need a ward system – of course we don’t. It has offered absolutely nothing in terms of the governance of the city – the ward system is a total waste of time in Napier. Napier is one of the most compact local body electorates in the country – you can drive across it in ten minutes – why do we want wards? And don’t start me on the ridiculous system of half ward and half city wide. Our present system is a typical compromise – it pleases no one – it is a complete nonsense and must be replaced.
What we want is to elect the best team of councillors we can from those who make themselves available.
And how big should the team be? Do we need a Mayor and twelve councillors – of course we don’t. A Mayor, a Deputy Mayor and seven Councillors would cope with the work-load well.
At the moment we have a Mayor, a deputy Mayor, seven committee chairs and 4 hangers on – the three first termers and the longest serving councillor, Harry Lawson. All councillors serve on all committees so a total team of nine would handle the job admirably.
What would cutting down the numbers achieve? For a start efficiency would improve. I’m not saying we are currently inefficient but a smaller team would be more efficient. There would be all sorts of savings in stationery, printing, communications etc.
We could pay Napier City Councillors more which means their stipends would edge a little closer to those of the Hastings District and Hawkes Bay Regional councillors and over time we would attract more people to offer their services, giving voters greater choice.
In the mean time we have a good team and the city is in good heart despite the recession and – I don’t know about you – but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
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