Reflections on the journey so far - six months on the job

I've not managed to be a very regular blogger over the last couple of months - it is sometimes hard to make time to sit and reflect and to put those reflections into words that make any sense at all to anyone but myself.  I've also had a bit of time away with my husband in Bali to attend his eldest brother's wedding anniversary celebrations.  It felt a bit naughty heading away in term time (not something I have ever really done as a teacher) - but after Craig and I both lost a parent in 2014 we decided to say yes to family occasions and invitations and to try really hard to find ways to be there and connect with our wider family, particularly those we only see rarely.  We are really glad we went - it was an amazing experience.

Brilliant times in Bali

It is six months since local body elections so it is a good time to look back on the journey so far and to think about what being a member of the Cromwell Community Board is shaping up to be.

There have certainly been lots of up sides about representing our community.  I have enjoyed attending the Museum Trust and Youth Trust meetings and connecting with what these organisations do in our community and reflecting on how lucky we are to have people who give their time willingly to the community to make it a better place for all.  The Peter Kenyon community meeting was another great example of that passion for community and a desire for people to be actively involved in shaping our town.

I know a whole lot more than I did about the inner workings of Council as an organisation and the part that elected representatives play in the overall work of Councils.  I already had a reasonable understanding of the bureaucratic hoops that accompany taking action - Council and Board of Trustees processes have quite a bit in common, particularly in regard to capital expenditure and the policies and processes that just appear to stall and slow things down - but are there as protections and checks that business is conducted in a transparent manner. Governance is the key word and understanding that it means not being involved in the day to day matters (like what day rubbish collection is after a public holiday) - instead being involved in strategic and long term thinking about how actions of the Board impact on our community.

I have been impressed by the expertise and professionalism of the Council officers who prepare and present reports to accompany meeting agendas and who speak to those and clarify understandings for elected members.  I know so much more about roading, subdivisions, land sales, leases, landscaping and capital works than I thought I ever would.  I also know that nothing is as simple as it seems, every decision has an impact across a whole range of other areas - it is the Council officers who investigate and report on the unintended consequences of actions we are considering - so that our decisions are informed and considered.

I have had some assumptions challenged and I've had plenty of people telling me what they think and what I should do about it.  Much of our meeting time is procedural, accepting status reports, hearing back about progress or changes or actions taken - sometimes we need to make decisions about the next course of action and sometimes we are just checking in.  Getting used to the eyes and ears of the public and the press as we debate has made me think carefully about what I say, how I say it and whether or not I'm adding to the clarity of the issue we are debating or adding to the confusion and stagnation.  I know some members of the public in attendance at our last few meetings have thought that we just go round and round in circles and keep coming back to the same place - and there is definitely an element of that - but clarification and re clarification is important.  Members throw up opinions and understandings and I think it is really important to ask questions about what the implications are, costs, time frames and whether or not it fits with council policy and procedure.

Inside chambers - casting a vote

It would be dishonest of me to say that I have not been frustrated about what has happened with progress on the Cromwell Memorial Hall.  I suppose much of my frustration stems from the fact that I didn't see my role as a newly elected member as looking back to decisions of the previous Board - I saw my self looking forward as part of a new Board.  I've gone into each part of this process and debate with an open mind as to the outcome.  My vote and my contributions to the debate have been clearly reported in the public arena (Stuff article re: Memorial Hall decision) and there are always going to be people who think I did the right thing and those who think I did the wrong thing.  I know that the initial reasons for stalling the process were about the high price tag for refurbishment - this was a clearly campaigned platform.  I really hope that the position we find ourselves in now does not end up having the opposite of the intended outcome i.e. less cost for a Memorial Hall that meets and will continue to meet the needs of the Cromwell Community.  It is likely to be a lengthy process to come to a final resolution and as a Board we need to demonstrate that we can work together and start looking to the future on this issue and all other issues facing our town.

Family fills my heart

For the meantime I am enjoying having family home.  My mum is visiting from Melbourne and we celebrated her birthday together.  All three lummoxes have been home for Easter - a full nest always makes me happy even though the addition of lummoxes has a devastating effect on food stocks in the house.

I'm sure I will see many members of our community at the Hockey Building opening tomorrow night and the ANZAC service.  Right now I'm back to the kitchen to whip up a banana cake and some pies for Lummox no.2 to take back to his flat tomorrow.