Wade Crockett, our Palmerston North City Chief Executive, shared his career journey and personal background, which are a testament to his resilience and strength. Drawing from his extensive experience in local government, he underscored the importance of leadership and understanding community needs.
His journey began at the Levin Borough Council in the mid-80s, then to PNCC. In the mid-90s, he embraced his first leadership role at Tauranga City, followed by 7 years as a CEO in Hunters Valley, Australia, before returning to NZ to his current role. Crockett's talk was marked by personal anecdotes, including the tragic loss of his son, a life event that profoundly shaped his perspective. He delved into the council's challenges, such as rising costs and the importance of strategic planning and collaboration with elected members. His speech underscored the need for thoughtful change management and strong community engagement.
Wade reiterated the importance of community engagement, a key pillar of the council's operations.
Wade Crockett continued his talk by discussing the intricacies of council operations and the importance of understanding the roles within local government. He explained that while elected members, including councillors and the mayor, only have one employee—the CEO—his role involves managing and aligning the entire organisation with the council's strategic direction. This alignment is crucial for the seamless functioning of council activities and ensuring effective service delivery to the community.
Wade highlighted the significance of a strong relationship between the CEO and the elected members, particularly the mayor. He noted that a well-functioning leadership team reflects positively on community perceptions and media coverage. Conversely, discord within this team can negatively affect the council and the community.
Addressing current challenges, Wade pointed out the impact of rising costs and inflation on council operations. Infrastructure projects now cost significantly more than a few years ago, with bridge construction and other essential services seeing price increases of up to 40%. These financial pressures, rising utility bills, and fixed costs have made affordability a vital issue for the council.
Wade mentioned the recent budget deliberations, noting that the council is facing a rate increase of 10.1% for the upcoming year, followed by projected increases of around 8% for the subsequent two years. He emphasised the council's commitment to balancing financial sustainability with the need to deliver essential services and infrastructure improvements.
In conclusion, Wade reiterated the importance of community engagement, a key pillar of the council's operations. He acknowledged the complexity of managing a local government entity and expressed his dedication to serving the Palmerston North community. His speech underscored the values of leadership, careful planning, and the need to adapt to changing economic conditions while focusing on community needs and long-term goals. By emphasising the role of the community, he made the audience feel valued and integral to the council's operations.