Candidates
Mayor
Role
The Mayor leads Waipā District and chairs the council.
Time commitment
Full time, with a significant professional and personal commitment, including after hours and weekends.
Key responsibilities:
- leads the development of council plans, policies, and budgets;
- chairs council meetings and workshops;
- leads the council and co-ordinates council political activity;
- speaks on behalf of the council;
- represents the council on related organisations, where appointed;
- presides at civic ceremonies;
- attends and speaks at local functions;
Deputy Mayor
Role
The Mayor has the power to appoint the Deputy Mayor. The Deputy Mayor takes on the Mayor’s role and responsibilities when the Mayor is not available. The Deputy Mayor serves on the council with other councillors.
Time commitment
These additional responsibilities can vary depending on the other appointments undertaken by the Deputy Mayor.
Councillors
Role
To represent the district’s residents and ratepayers, and make decisions on key community and district issues.
Time commitment
Variable, depending on any additional responsibilities that a Councillor might be required to undertake (e.g. chairing a committee or representing the council on another organisation). Likely to be at least 20-30 hours each week, and involve evening and weekend commitments.
Key responsibilities
- attend monthly council, committee meetings, and workshops, some councillors may be responsible for chairing these meetings;
- read plans, reports and agendas, and other meeting preparation work;
- engage with, and advocate for, the public, including attending events and public meetings, and liaising with residents and community groups;
- formulate the council’s strategic direction and priorities through the long term plan and annual plan process, including setting the budget, rates etc
- adopt policies and bylaws across a wide range of activities and services;
- represent the district at functions as required;
- participate in the appointment and performance review of the chief executive.
Community Board Member
Role
Community Board Members represent and act as an advocate for the interests of their community, and make decisions within the delegations provided by the council.
Time commitment
Part time, though the level of commitment will depend on activities or involvement in working groups. Currently, both the Te Awamutu and Cambridge Boards hold their meetings in the evening starting at 6pm. The board chairperson will usually have the greatest time commitment.
Key responsibilities
- engage with local community; promote residents’ issues and initiatives to the board and the council;
- monitor the provision of council services and advocate changes as necessary;
- represent the community to other agencies;
- promote the role of the community board in the wider community;
- work cooperatively with the council.
