The community needs confidence in MidCoast Council and elected councillor David West believes there are two things “critical” to its evolution.
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These include the make-up and balance of the councillors, their due diligence and accountability, as well as the connectivity and interaction they have with the community.
He said it was an honour to be elected to MidCoast Council.
“To be in position H and to poll as well as we did… I’m absolutely amazed by the result. We didn’t have many people manning polling booths and we didn’t have a large budget.”
With many years as a councillor on the former Greater Taree City Council (he was first elected in 1991) and his role on the MidCoast Council local representative committee, he said he loves the job and it is one he takes seriously.
“Councillors need to be answerable to the people who put them there.”
He said some councillors may not have the ability or time to dedicate to being a full-time councillor and there will need to be “very careful, honest and due diligence in setting the council up. That to me is critical”.
“This is a multi-million dollar corporation. You need a group well versed and well taught how to read the books of council.”
When the council sits for the first time on Wednesday September 27, he believes a number of councillors (including himself) will be standing for the position of mayor.
“I genuinely believe it’s going to take significant experience to work with the group of people. The position of mayor doesn’t have a lot of power, it’s one of consideration, negotiation and listening to everybody.
“You need someone who has extensive experience in local government and understands not only procedures but also local government accounting.”
Mr West believes there needs to be full and honest disclosure of council activities to the community and interaction that includes a consultative process and inclusion.
“People are suspicious. If you tell people the truth, they may not like the truth, but if you tell the truth and allow people to ask questions and you answer them, people will have trust in the organisation.
“It’s about telling the truth on the situation. You tell where the money is, how much money we have and how much we don’t have.
“You don’t just paint a pretty picture but you tell the nasties as well. You need to talk to people and not at people.”
Mr West has many ideas that he believes will help improve the MidCoast Council area.
“There are so many things we take for granted that we don’t look outside the box to make things better than what they are now.”