The Council is an important leader for our community, but many people in the community also carry out important leadership roles.Getting the rest of the community involved however seems to be more difficult
Voter turnout / Diversity of local government representation / Degree of local government representation
In general, leadership by elected representatives in the District is perceived as being effective and inclusive of the wider community, however there is a relatively low level of political participation by candidates wishing to stand in local body elections. The District’s apparent disinterest in the local body election process in 2007, both in candidate numbers and voter turnout, could indicate general satisfaction with the District’s current political leadership.
Under-representation by Maori and women among the District’s political leaders may result in some aspirations and characteristics of the community not being reflected in decision-making.
Voter turnout
Diversity of local government representation
Degree of local government representation
Perception that leaders are getting better at working together / Level of forums and programmes to develop and foster leaders
Cooperative and collaborative leadership has become the best practice model in the Western Bay of Plenty District under the growth management strategy SmartGrowth. This leadership is resulting in effective decision making which includes input from non-government partners, active involvement by tangata whenua and is achieving better outcomes for the wider community.
Perception that leaders are getting better at working together
Level of forums and programmes to develop and foster leaders
People say they can understand Council decision-making processes / Degree of information that residents have to participate in decision-making / Degree of residents’ say in what Council does / Openness of local government meetings
Information flow from the councils and elected representatives is vital for the community to feel included in decision making. While there is a relatively high percentage of people who believe they understand how local and regional councils make decisions, there is still much work to be done to embrace those who feel disenfranchised from the decision-making process.
The community’s perception of inclusion in decision making is a reflection of Council’s ability to communicate how it goes about its business with residents and ratepayers.
The majority of the District’s residents indicated they had access to enough information and felt that the public does influence Council’s decision making, but there remains a significant percentage who feel they have insufficient information and little or no influence on decisions.
People say they can understand Council decision-making processes
Degree of information that residents have to participate in decision-making
Degree of residents’ say in what Council does
Openness of local government meetings
Residents’ perception that they can influence the quality of life in their communities
Having the ability to improve quality of life is every individual’s right and must be fostered by community organisations and community leaders.
The Western Bay of Plenty District has a diverse range of groups and organisations in which individuals can participate to foster leadership skills and, by so doing, increase their confidence and ability to improve their own and the community’s quality of life.
Residents perception that they can influence the quality of life in their communities