CDC: Council candidates

What do the candidates in the 2010 Clutha District Council election stand for? The Otago Daily Times has given all nominees the opportunity to answer two questions.

1: Voters are concerned about the level of council spending. How will you keep rates down while retaining essential services?
2: What are your goals and what should the priorities be for your council?

Balclutha Ward
(Four required)

Hamish Anderson (see mayoralty)

William Begg (54)
Sheep and beef farmer

1. I, too, am concerned at council spending levels. We need to increase the population of the district to achieve greater efficiency of council operations.

I believe there is some scope to achieve savings within the existing infrastructure through better utilisation of the technology and labour resources currently available. The overriding problem is that we need more people in gainful employment living in the district to lower the per capita cost of council services.

2. My goal is for the Clutha district to continue as a desirable and safe place to live, work and raise a family.

To achieve this, council's priority should be to grow our permanent population by attracting and assisting the establishment of sustainable industries to the district, industry that provides new employment opportunities. This in turn would lead to the population growth the district needs to maintain a cost-effective infrastructure and ensure its future.

Graham Dale (62)
Semi-retired

1. As part of a team, we as councillors would need to control spending to ensure we provided value for money. Reviewing of assets may reveal an opportunity to offset the costs and possibly reduce rates without compromising the retaining of essential services to the community.

My business experience would be advantageous in achieving the most suitable direction and decisions.

2. The consultative survey conducted with the community in conjunction with the annual plan process has identified and prioritised projects and preferred options on how they should be funded.

My goal is to represent the constituents in my ward and be part of a progressive team, making decisions that are in the best interests of the Clutha district moving forward. My ability to think outside the square will add value to the collective decisions that are made.

Ron Davis (62)
Real estate agent

1. As our core services and infrastructure deprec-iates, council needs strategies in place to meet those demands.

If elected, I will ensure that any cost-benefit analysis implemented will show transparency and accountability on all decisions made so rate increases are minimised when replacement of infrastructure and services take place.

Projects that require unnecessary spending will not be a consideration, but I will support any business or enterprise which shows initiative and innovation that will benefit ratepayers.

2. Ensure council is keeping within the constraints of its spending power. All council decisions should be transparent and accountable.

Council's first consideration has to be its core activities. The district's wealth is very dependent on population growth and stabilisation. Therefore, council's support for local businesses to ensure their sustainability and, in turn, job security is paramount.