Small local councils struggle against near-impossible odds and outside criticism, writes Tania Gibson, the Grey District Mayor.
As Mayor of Grey District, I’ve seen firsthand how small councils are unfairly criticised for not doing enough when we’re working with limited resources and growing responsibilities. Small local councils face significant challenges in managing these responsibilities with the few resources we have.
Councils like ours, with limited rating bases and stretched budgets, operate on a shoestring while deferring crucial infrastructure upgrades. Yet, we continue to do our best despite the odds being stacked against us.
Public criticism that paints all councils across our country with the same brush is easy to make and often garners attention. However, it fails to account for the complexities and constraints of the local government system.
Calls for widespread reform or a “cleanout” of councils tend to oversimplify the challenges faced by smaller councils. While concerns about the cost of living, wasteful spending and governance issues are undeniably important, they cannot be effectively addressed at a local government level without adequate resources and support.
Most people, including myself before my election, don’t fully understand the challenges of local government until they’re sitting around the council table. At every meeting, we’re faced with tough decisions due to a lack of resources, even though we all want more for our districts. The accusations that local councils have “missed the memo” and failed to enact real change only serve to ignore the broader, systemic issues that councils like ours are grappling with.
Those who criticise councils and prospective candidates should take the time to understand the real constraints we face. By gaining a true understanding of the system and its limits, they might then find ways to work with us to develop long-term solutions.
It’s easy to point fingers from the sidelines, but the reality is that councils are doing everything we can with what we have. The proposed solution of recruiting new candidates to “fix” the system overlooks the reality that these individuals will quickly encounter the same constraints already faced, highlighting that resolving these issues requires more than just a change in leadership.
We acknowledge that there’s always room for improvement and we’re constantly exploring new ways of working, seeking additional income sources and identifying savings without compromising core infrastructure services. Unlike some regions blessed with assets like high-earning ports, airports or abundant land resources, we continue to battle through, constrained by funding shortages.
This isn’t a failure of will but a consequence of being left to navigate through challenges largely on our own, with limited support.
As a region, the West Coast has been working hard to speak with one voice to the Central Government and align with initiatives like the Regional Deals initiative. This would unlock opportunities across the West Coast, helping to support infrastructure improvements and expand our possibilities.
We’re not asking for a handout but rather a hand-up in support of our proposals. However, public criticisms undermine the genuine efforts being made by councils across this country, especially in regions like the West Coast.
We understand the current Government’s fiscal challenges and empathise with the pressure they’re under. However, we are concerned that political parties recruiting candidates for councils may lead them to believe they can make substantial changes quickly.
The reality is that it won’t take long for them to realise just what they’re up against. New councillors will face the same pressures we all do, including the growing tide of online abuse. Tackling local government issues is not a quick fix, and it’s not as simple as pushing political ideologies. It requires long-term commitment and a genuine understanding of the systems in place.
It’s well-publicised that we, as council members, regularly endure hate, vile comments and vitriol, both in person and online. Faced with these growing complexities and the challenges of running a small council, it will only become harder to attract qualified, community-driven individuals to serve in these roles.
The environment of public scrutiny has only intensified in recent years, and it’s unrealistic to expect that a “cleanout” of council members will solve the issues. Instead, it risks losing the very people who are invested in their communities and willing to work within the system despite its flaws.
Grey District, with approximately 14,800 residents, experiences the daily struggles faced by many small councils across our country. Despite our size, we must deliver the same broad range of services and manage the same extensive regulations as larger councils, often with only one person handling what larger councils would delegate across a team.
Proposals to bring in new candidates promising quick fixes overlook the reality that local government is a marathon, not a sprint. It will take more than just a fresh crop of candidates to address the longstanding issues we face.
Despite all these challenges and the isolation of the West Coast, we continue to push ahead, maximising what we have and seizing every opportunity to improve and grow the district. But we know we could do so much more with better access to resources. We’re not afraid of change, but that change must come through collaboration, understanding, and support from both local and central government.
We aim to shed light on the often-overlooked struggles of small councils and the dedication of those who serve in these demanding roles. Instead of attacking local government for not meeting unrealistic expectations, we call for a more informed and empathetic approach to understanding and supporting local government efforts across the country, particularly in small councils like ours.
Only through collaboration, mutual respect and long-term thinking can we make the real changes that are necessary, not just for small councils, but for the communities we serve.