Leading locally
Competent
Council has a good understanding of its community, with high levels of awareness of key issues facing the district and a strong commitment to address them. The Mayor and Chief Executive provide effective leadership.
Council is operating well under the leadership of an experienced Mayor. Elected members work as an effective team and are motivated to make a positive impact on the lives of residents.
Investing money well
Competent
Council is working to a prudent Financial Strategy, which links well with its Infrastructure Strategy, and with Council’s vision, mission objectives and LTP.
The Finance Team appears to be functioning as an effective group, but improvements in reporting are needed to support effective monitoring and decision-making by the Leadership Team and elected members.
The Mayor and Chief Executive understand the financial affairs of Council well. Key accountability documents are easy to read and are available to the public, in both hardcopy and on-line versions.
Delivering what’s important
Competent
Council’s service delivery and asset management is fit for purpose. Good systems, processes and capability are in place to deliver community needs and expectations cost-effectively.
While Council is delivering core services well, an emerging set of strategic issues now need to be addressed. Innovative solutions will be required if community expectations are to be met, service levels maintained and changing regulatory requirements achieved.
Listening and responding
Performing well
Council’s approach to community engagement is generally appropriate for the community it serves. Council and iwi are both working hard to achieve high-quality engagement. Trust is building, but effectiveness remains a work-in-progress.
Council’s communications activities are structured and coherent, and seem to be appreciated across the district. The Mayor, Chief Executive and Communications and Media Manager work well together.