Election promises and that 'r' word...

At every election, there are promises of rates reductions, driving down of council costs and other spending-related promises.

I don't make promises I can’t keep.

But what I can promise is that, as Mayor, I will always aim for a Council that works smarter and strives for greater efficiencies to keep spending and rates as low as possible.

By voting for me in the last election, Marlburians showed they trusted my decision-making, leadership skills and integrity. Three years later those values haven’t changed, and have been demonstrated on many occasions.

Throughout the previous terms as Councillor and Mayor, I made all my decisions based on fact, not on any personal agendas or politicking. I always work to ensure Councillors uphold these values when debating any issue.

Investment and spending are necessary to maintain our way of life, to promote economic development and to keep moving our region forward in a way that we all want to see.

That can only be achieved by sound financial planning led by clear objectives, that invests in assets and services that are designed to match the region’s ongoing and vibrant growth.

It’s also about looking after what we have. We are privileged to have a number of brilliant public assets in Marlborough that we need to take care of – because if we don’t invest in the necessary maintenance now, future generations will pay much more for it later.

With every decision that Council makes, as Mayor I will continue to ensure that the short- and long-term implications of funding choices are clearly understood, have been openly debated, take into consideration the public’s input and are agreed on as a collective.

I always ensure high standards of accountability, transparency and responsibility when it comes to allocating funds.

You can trust that my high level of professionalism and integrity with regards to all issues, including spending, will continue without fail for the good of our region: This is a promise I can stick to.