Phil Provest – Clarence Valley meet your candidates

By Tim Howard

The Clarence Valley Council has gone into caretaker mode ahead of the September 14 election.

It’s given 17 community members, including six current councillors to stand for election.

The Northern Rivers Times has given all 17 a chance to introduce themselves to the electorate.

Sixteen of them have grabbed the opportunity. Phillip Provest did not reply to the invitation.

Phil Provest

Phil Provest.

Hi voters. I’d like to introduce myself: Phil Provest candidate for Clarence.

I have been employed by four councils over a period of 44 years in many aspects of local government, from hands on to supervisory levels.

It has given me a sound knowledge of the inner world of council functions.

At the onset of my time with councils, most activities were centred around roads, rubbish, parks and in other LGAs water and sewerage.

Councils have now diversified into other areas to support the community.

A high priority I have found is the lack of transparency in expenditure, which I will work towards correcting.

I stand for sound and environmentally sustainable housing developments.

So, on election day please vote for me 1 to 9 if my values meet yours.

Questions

Ahead of the September 14 local government election we have asked all 17 candidates a series of questions testing their response to some of the major concerns of the community. Rates and what the council does with the money is a perennial issue.

Rates

1. Can you guarantee voters that you will not support a special rate variation (SRV) above the annual rate pegging limit in the next term of council?
2. If council can’t increase income via a rate rise, what can it do to balance its books?
3. How can councils help ratepayers with the cost of living issues facing communities?

Answer 1: Without knowing the current situation of council finances, stating outright I will not support an SRV, beyond rate pegging could be dangerous.

It would need to be a near catastrophic business case before I show support to any increase over the pegged level.

Answer 2: If council cannot raise income via a rate increase.

Better management practices, remembering councils are a service provider to the local community, not the local hire car network, curtail the production of glossy magazines, make more productive use of the web sites.

Basically, trim the fat where possible, without reducing the real purpose of council.

Answer 3: I feel councils, with limited funding, are at odds when the question of assistance rises.

Social housing, would require financial support from state and federal government.

Discounting rates reduces income, therefore impacting on other services. Reducing costs to businesses.

Read about all the councillors in this weeks edition of The Northern Rivers Times. For more 2024 Local Elections News, click here.