How do you achieve active democracy in a city?

To me a city council is very similar to the board of a company. However, while the goal of a board to seek the best financial outcome for its shareholders, the aim of a city council is to provide all residents with an aesthetically pleasing environment that allows them to thrive socially and economically.

To achieve this council must:

• Inform residents of the issues, the pros and cons of options for achieving them and its preferred option
• Consult
• Take the advice it receives during consultations into serious consideration
• Be transparent in its decision making

A council has the responsibility to ratepayers and residents to:

• Deliver services as efficiently and as cost effectively as possible
• Manage assets well
• Strike rates fairly