Before his election in
October 2005, Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Howard Harris said
he would run the Council as a business.
On the eve of their first birthday in the job: how have councillors
fared?
A take-no-prisoners attitude to debt reduction, pruning staff costs and
good management has enabled the fledgling Council to deliver on many of
the Mayor’s election promises.
Council meeting agendas reveal the Mayor’s enthusiasm for the job and
dedication to community concerns.
His diary shows a full-time commitment to local governance and public
service well beyond any proportionate personal reward.
Mayor Harris will be remembered by many ratepayers as the Deputy Warden
of Spring Bay before amalgamation with Glamorgan.
Among his election promises Mr Harris said: “I will seek to move
Council’s focus back to core services - improving roads, sewage and
water.
“I will make the hard decisions when needed and I intend to examine as
a priority current expenditures on vehicles and administration, why the
water issues keep on stalling, why we have such lengthy planning
approval timeframes and why we don’t have adequate tip opening hours.”
Dialogue between Mayor Harris and the Freycinewt Maria Coast News
elicited the followng responses to our questions about outcomes of
promises made at election time one year ago:
• Further government funding to reduce rate rises;
[Council have given responsibility to staff to identify grants to suit
our needs or, after council nominate a project, the officer will search
for a grant to suit]
• Initiating green waste recycling;
[Green waste mulching is still an option to be considered, although
weeds & seeds present a concern. The cost to tip green waste has
been reduced considerably]
• Better communication between Council and ratepayers;
[Communication has been seen as a priority and the General Manager has
composed a Powerpoint presentation to show Council’s position to
interested community groups; we now have a bimonthly newsletter printed
in the East Coast News. The General Manager and I have set aside time
for direct meetings with community members]
• Additional aged care funding;
[The eldercare committee of Council are looking at building two new
units in Triabunna and a decision is expected very soon. Council are
also supportive of the May Shaw centre and offer assistance where
needed]
• Reviewing council administration costs and vehicle expenses;
[A review of management
staffing has been carried out a saving
close to $500,000: achieved, although much needed outside work force
positions have been filled with a portion of these funds. A four
cylinder vehicle policy ,where possible has been accepted, although
there was a glitch early in the new Council’s term the policy is now
back on track]
