Selwyn’s New Mayor Promises Single-Digit Rate Rise in 2024

Lydia Gliddon has been elected the new mayor of Selwyn District in New Zealand, vowing to limit future rates increases to single digits. Gliddon, who defeated three-term incumbent Sam Broughton by a significant margin of 13,500 votes, leads a newly formed council facing the challenges of rapid growth in the region.

In her first statements since the election, Gliddon emphasized the necessity for change, referencing the dissatisfaction among ratepayers who endured multiple double-digit rate hikes during Broughton’s tenure. “Our community said they want change, that’s exactly what they have got,” Gliddon remarked. “Now we need to deliver on that.”

The recent elections resulted in a complete overhaul of the council, with seven councillors retiring. This significant turnover means Gliddon leads a team with less than 12 years of combined experience, half of which comes from third-term councillor Sophie McInnes. Recognizing the gap in institutional knowledge, Gliddon plans to leverage the expertise of former councillors in mentorship roles to guide the new team.

Plans for Governance and Budgeting

To ensure effective governance, Gliddon is instituting a thorough induction process aimed at preparing new councillors for their roles. She believes that a slower start can lead to more effective outcomes in the long run. “Sometimes you have to go a bit slower at the start so you can go faster at the other end,” she explained.

Gliddon is committed to delivering an annual plan that features a single-digit rate increase. She intends to implement a detailed line-by-line budget review to identify essential services, such as roading and water, while finding efficiencies and potential cost-saving measures. “We want to identify the non-negotiables and figure out where we can cut back,” she stated.

Additionally, Gliddon is prioritizing transparency in the council’s operations. She aims to provide residents with clear and concise information regarding how their rates are allocated. Despite only 47% of the voting public participating in the recent elections, this figure represented the highest engagement in the last four elections, highlighting an opportunity for improved community involvement.

Team Building and Community Engagement

The election campaign was notably contentious, with candidates engaging in personal attacks. Gliddon has insisted that such behavior will not be tolerated going forward. “We now need to form a team. The community has chosen the people they want to represent them, so that all needs to be left behind,” she affirmed.

While there were allegations of collusion among candidates during the campaign, Gliddon remains optimistic about the dedication of her team to serve the community’s best interests. “We have to have the best outcome for the community in mind, not towing some line of an agenda,” she said.

As Gliddon navigates her first term, she is acutely aware of the community’s expectations. Failure to deliver on promises regarding lower rates and improved transparency could lead to another shift in leadership in future elections. The newly elected mayor is hopeful that her administration can inspire confidence and engagement among Selwyn’s residents as they embark on this new chapter.