Councillors’ $8k training

It was back to the classroom for New Plymouth District Councillors on Thursday as they gear up to debate the plan that will see the district through the next 10 years.

The training course, run by professional management and governance trainer Tony Brindle, discussed leadership and strategy development, and was one of two sessions, costing a total of $8600, Mayor Neil Holdom hoped would prepare the council as it got ready to debate the Long Term Plan.

The 10-year-plan, at $130 million a year, was $1.3 billion of investment that would take the district through to 2028, Holdom said.

‘‘It’s critical we put some time into planning and being clear about what our goals are and what our priorities are.’’

But not everyone agreed. Councillor John McLeod boycotted the meeting saying it was a waste of ratepayers’ money.

‘‘It’s money to a consultant who doesn’t even live here. It’s hardearned ratepayers money. That’s the way I look at it.’’

He wasn’t going to ‘‘better himself’’ at the ratepayers’ expense. ‘‘To me it is namby pamby rubbish.’’

But deputy mayor Richard Jordan said the council was maturing its thinking. ‘‘We recognise that there are things we can go out and learn that will actually improve our community. We’re doing this for the community.’’

Holdom said Thursday’s course was inward focussed.

‘‘What do we think our culture is today? How do we think the community rates us in terms of their ability to influence council policy? How good are our asset management systems – are we replacing a piece of road or are we replacing it too early? It’s the whole concept of putting a tape measure against ourselves. How do we want to interact as a group?’’

Next week’s session would focus outward and councillors would review community feedback from its survey’s on the top 10 focus points and look at where the council went next.

‘‘My view is the goal is to take lessons from commercial boards and apply them to council...By focusing on lifting the level of debate and the level of scrutiny, we’ll develop a better outcome for the community. $1.35bn expenditure is committed in this plan, so it’s important to get that right.’’