Hellen Swales Announces Candidacy For Mayor In The 2025 Local Body Elections For Upper Hutt
As a passionate advocate for value-driven services, Hellen emphasises transparency and accountability within the council. "I will ensure our council focuses on value for money in the services it delivers, demonstrating this through clear communication with the community," Hellen stated.
Her goal is to secure the council's long-term financial sustainability by effectively managing debt, funding essential services, and limiting non-essential/vanity projects.
Aligned with the ongoing 'Local Water Done Well' initiative, Hellen is committed to advocating for affordable water solutions that truly benefit the community while ensuring transparency in the council's considerations. "It is crucial that we prioritise our communities' needs and work towards solutions that are both effective and sustainable," she added.
Hellen believes that listening to the community is vital for the council's success. By acting on Community Survey results and sharing improvement plans, she aims to respond effectively to community priorities and concerns. "Building trust with our community starts with understanding their needs and communicating our plans clearly," Hellen emphasised.
To foster engagement, Hellen plans to re-evaluate the council's communication strategies and channels. By establishing focus groups cantered on key areas like the economy, environment, and upcoming legislation, and enhancing community involvement in decision-making processes.
As an active member in our community for many years, Hellen sees a need and a desire for a stronger community voice and hence her goal is to establish a stronger community relationship which can be involved at the right time to drive community outcomes.
Furthermore, Hellen will establish Key Performance Indicators for Councillors and the Chief Executive, ensuring accountability through annual reviews and sharing the results with the community. 'It's essential that we hold ourselves accountable to the people we serve,' she remarked.
Hellen Swales invites all Upper Hutt residents to join her in this journey towards a more transparent, accountable, and community-focused council. Together, we can build a stronger future for Upper Hutt.
Hellen believes working together will provide Upper Hutt the change we need and the voice it deserves.
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