Michael Scott is a long-term Kāpiti resident and Waikanae ratepayer.
“I operate a successful legal practice where I am proud to employ local people, while supporting the local business community. A strong local economy is vital to ensure our best and brightest have a job and a future in their own community,” says Mr Scott.
“My Local Government experience initially was with the Waikanae Community Board which I chaired for 7.5 years before taking up the Waikanae Ward seat at a by-election. I therefore bring experience, enthusiasm and understanding to the role of an elected member.”
Mr Scott says as chair of KCDCs principal committee, Operations and Finance, his vision of ‘the Green line’ has changed the face of council’s spending processes.
“We went from a council on negative watch with the international rating agency Standard and Poors to a spectacular two step increase in rating earlier this month to AA. Rethinking project delivery and carefully making sure we only rate for what we can actually deliver has been my legacy for the entire Kāpiti community. Have a look at the projects actually completed over the last few years as against previous council performance to see what can actually be achieved.
He says there are challenges, many inherited, that we face both as a district and as a region, but they are being dealt with.
“The next three years may well be the most important that our district has faced. I will continue to be fearless and won’t be deterred from ‘saying it as it is.”
Mr Scott says focusing on core council activities is his aim, all while maintaining the uniqueness of our Kāpiti communities. He says protecting our environment is vital and protecting the ecology of the Waikanae River is vital.
“Waste management and sustainability are going to be important in the coming years. Carbon neutrality is something I will continued to support with my vote around the table. While council has recently won an award in this area, more can be done. More electric vehicles in our council fleet is an immediate priority.
“Spending control on deliverable projects has been my aim thus stopping the past haemorrhage of ratepayer’s money on poorly costed, badly thought out activities. In the last three years our CAPEX budget has blown out in answer to Government’s push to spend to stimulate the economy, there is a reckoning for that in rates and inflation.
“Everyone needs to remember that it’s all rates funded, especially when they see the rates demands currently being delivered. My pledge has always been that I will only vote to spend ratepayer’s money when the project is properly costed, robustly researched and environmentally sound.”
Mr Scott says he has worked as a councillor in the past and if elected will remain available for his community. “That continues to be my pledge.”
