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The 2002 local governmentlegislation particularly requiredcouncils to focus on strategic visionand the realisation of communityoutcomes. There was a real increasein community consultation and thecommunity demanded improvementacross a range of activities. At thesame time there was an increase ineconomic activity. Political leadersresponded and made some bolddecisions and they were arguably ina position to be able to do so withhealthy revenue and low debt (ourdebt is still well within prudent limitsand our credit rating has consistentlybeen the highest possible withinlocal government). And so the citywas turned around to face the seaagain and there was investment insome major community facilities andinfrastructure.”NPDC General Manager BusinessServices, Steve Taylor adds:“Some of the bigger investmentsmade in community infrastructurewere Puke Ariki, a major programmeof water supply improvements,the Oakura sewerage system, thecompletion of the coastal walkwayand various CBD upgrades. Asignificant amount was also investedover time in many smaller projectsin some of the Council’s key activityareas e.g. roading, stormwater,sewerage, water, parking, parks/recreation, cultural.”“Is the community a better placeto live in as a result?” asks BarbaraMcKerrow. “There is no doubt thatcommunity pride grew considerablyover that time. Community surveyscontinue to attest to a high levelof satisfaction in the quality of lifeprovided for here. The challenge forfuture councils is how to preservethat lifestyle in an affordable way forfuture generations. It is a questionfor the political leaders of the day.”That may be true.“But when you have a collectionof people around the council table,making the decisions, whose onlyqualifications for the job are to be aNew Zealand resident and enrolledon the Electoral Roll, the mayor andcouncillors rely heavily on the adviceof council officers,” Len Houwerspoints out. “Too heavily, in myopinion.”“This council has so many differentfunctions we do rely on officers’advice quite a bit,” says Mayor HarryDuynhoven.“Because I’ve had quite a variedbackground I’ve got additionalsources of information as well.Plus of course the public offersinformation and advice on variousmatters too.“The officers don’t have a vestedinterest, they’re just there to putfactual reports together for us.”Mayoral candidate, Cr AndrewJudd, says over the six years hehas been in office he has challengedthe advice given by officers onseveral recommendations theyhave offered.“I get told, ‘don’t be naïve. We hirethe best people available and theadvice they give us is all we need.’I believe council needs to set theagenda and get external advice.”The LTP 2012-22 reveals debt levelsare set to increase over the next tenyears to $172m.PERPETUALINVESTMENT FUNDWhen the NPDC sold its 38% inPowerco for $259.4m back in 2004,and set up Taranaki InvestmentManagement Ltd under the provisoit delivered at least $19.3m a year(ie: as good as Powerco) to NPDCto offset rates, there was plentyof debate around the wisdom ofdoing so.One of the reasons given for sellingour share in Powerco was so that wewouldn’t have all our eggs in oneCraig WilliamsonTARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCILWith your vote, I will continue to stand for:“World Class Care for Land, Water & Air”There are some big issues that theTRC still needs to tackle in relation topollution, protection and enhancementof our coast and waterways, landmanagement, environmentalsustainability and maintaining avibrant and competitive regionaleconomy and port.And the council must continue towork towards developing effectiveplans, policies and incentives to ensureit is encouraging and facilitatingthe best possible care of Taranaki’sresources at all times.The TRC needs to be even more proactivewhen it comes to maintainingand enhancing the natural aspectsof the lifestyle we have becomeaccustomed to, while still promotinggrowth, prosperity, jobs andopportunities for our people.New Plymouth deserves an activeand balanced voice on the TaranakiRegional Council and I have theexperience, energy and enthusiasmrequired to achieve progress and tokeep improving these aspects of ourprovince.So, if you haven’t done it already, thenplease take the time to vote in theselocal body elections.And if you tick WILLIAMSONand I get re-elected, I undertaketo continue to be a strongadvocate for the environmentand a positive, balancedvoice for New Plymouth.Thank youCraig WilliamsonCANDIDATE for re-election to the TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCILAuthorised by C. Williamson, 451 Devon St East, New Plymouth