I feel very fortunate to have your support to represent our community for another three years.

Mayor Liz has given us all our responsibilities, and I am delighted to be chairing the Audit, Risk and Finance committee (this has expanded from the previous Audit and Risk committee that in place in the previous term of council).

I will challenge this committee and council to think in broader terms with the Audit, Risk and Finance committee’s work to ensure we maximise the use of every dollar the council receives.

We also need to look at rates mitigation and seize opportunities, where both savings and investments can be made. The community, I hope, will hold us to account on these matters.

Having a role on the Water Services Committee is also something I am looking forward to, as we will be shaping the implementation of Local Water Done Well within our district. This government legislation was introduced to ensure we continue to have safe drinking water as well as appropriate management of our stormwater and wastewater – how we do this is pivotal to the success of this council and to the future of our district.

Council is progressing work to exit the delivery of stockwater and talking with irrigation companies and property owners to find alternate sources where needed. If you’ve engaged with us and responded to our surveys, I thank you.

And while I’m no longer a representative on the heritage or migrant committees, I’ve really enjoyed this work over the past two terms and will be keeping an eye on developments.

As a member of Council and into my seventh year, I’m grateful to have a place on Mayor Liz’s executive team and promise to represent us all with integrity.

Good things continue to happen in Ashburton - the mini golf course is amazing and will open on Saturday, in time for lots of summer fun. We’re also preparing for the arrival of Christmas with Light up the Night on Saturday 29 November and I encourage you to come along for some festive fun and see the tree in Baring Square East come to life.