It’s been a pleasure attending the triennial meetings of reserve boards on behalf of council recently, and to see rural communities in action ensuring their local hall or reserve is kept in good shape.

These hall and reserve boards are made up of resourceful and knowledgeable volunteers committed to making sure their patch of Mid Canterbury has assets that attract local families to use, from tennis courts to venues for a 21st or wedding.

It’s not always easy, given everyone’s busy lives and increasing compliance for such community facilities, but these assets have long local histories and are places where many happy memories have been made!

Thank you to all those community people who have been elected once again, or perhaps for the first time, on to boards across the district - your work is valued and appreciated, and Council will continue to work with you.

Another way to work for your community is to stand for Council and that opportunity will present again for the Western Ward with the by-election coming up shortly.

With that in mind, I wish to share some thoughts for the potential new applicants and what a future Councillor should consider.
Know the community you are representing is vital; communication and engagement are essential to express their views and be the community voice.

Some attributes that would assist the successful applicant include vision and goal setting, listening skills, and knowledge of governance and local policies.

It goes without saying that time and passion must be dedicated to the role as it is not just 9-5 . Councillors receive phone calls and messages every day of the week, from morning until night, on a wide variety of subjects.

Teamwork and collaboration is essential too.

At the council table we all bring different views, values and ideas whilst respecting each other, and a lot of discussion and debate happens before we make a decision that is in the best interest of the wider community, not just individual groups.

I have enjoyed my last two terms around the council table and while it has at times been very challenging, it has also been rewarding and I am looking forward to this term and what lies ahead.