As we head towards council elections, a number of councillor columns have focussed on the opportunities, challenges and issues which our Council and others face and the implications of an increasingly constrained resource and financial environment. Hopefully this will assist potential candidates and residents to approach the elections thoughtfully and with insight.
I want to further develop this thread and focus on how councillors may expect to shape their own visions reflecting community expectations, and plan the priorities and initiatives which delivers this for them, and those they will represent if elected.
When working with organisations leading change, I have encouraged those participating to consider win-win solutions - a concept familiar to many - whereby those seeing important things differently focus on what they can agree on as a first step to settling what continues to divide them.
Increasingly though in council life, key objectives are much harder to achieve and take much longer. Developing a strategy is essential. This means identifying the steps which are needed to gain the all-important objective: A is needed before B then C to finally achieve D, which is the end goal.
Achieving key outcomes is increasingly dependent on forming many partnerships and cementing committed relationships connecting Council with community and stakeholder organisations, different levels of government, funding bodies and investors. This can take years to shape and progress. It can be an exciting, stimulating journey with immensely rewarding outcomes. Critically however, it is the increasing reality of the future world elected councillors face.
Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor
Paddy's Ranges Ward
Central Goldfields Shire Council
