David Renn wants solutions from council if elected

Bringing a common sense and solution based approach to the council is high on Mr Renn’s agenda.

“Glen Innes is a great place to live and I'd like to see it continue that way but we need stronger advocacy, fiscal responsibility and transparency from our council,” he said.

“The Council are Public Servants and meant to represent local people and I think it is an indictment on the current council that it is very rare that opinions from those that they are making decisions for are requested.”

Mr Renn would also like to make the council Business Paper easier to understand and to see complaints dealt with more openly.

The Business Paper is the only indication where public money is spent and needs to be clearer and not just for accountants,” he said.“It would appear that Council are reducing services without reduction in costs, because projects such as the Grey Street ‘improvements’ have been poorly designed and badly executed.

“Management need to ensure that Council workers are given the training and equipment needed in order to complete tasks to a high standard, roads in particular, and of course complaints are poorly dealt with by Council and this needs to change, drastically, my own experience being that they are either ignored or bungled with no outcome.”

Mr Renn also would like communication between council and residents given a higher priority and would like to find a solution to the weighbridge issue as well as address the money owed to the council by the flight school if elected.

“The costs to farmers at the sale-yard weighbridge needs to be reconsidered immediately,” he said.

“I would also question why the flight school directors aren’t being charged interest on monies owed.“They should be paying eight percent interest on the money owing to council like residents with outstanding rates are required to.”