This is a week devoted very much to tradition and process.

Today, the full council will be sworn in at its inaugural meeting. All elected members including the Methven Community Board, Councillors and myself, will be required to declare that we will do our best to perform the duties of office. Cr Leen Braam will be absent, but will make his declaration at the 8 December meeting.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach will then run through the legislation we need to be aware of, from the Local Government Act, to the Crimes Act, Public Records Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The Local Government Act spells out our purpose and powers, which in a nutshell is to enable democratic local decision-making and promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of our community, now and for the future.

The Chief Executive will also talk about standing orders and a code of conduct for councillors. Our standing orders are contained in a rather imposing 81-page document, but they’re really important, as they ensure the orderly conduct of our meetings. There’s no pop-quiz on the matter, but we’re all expected to know meeting procedure and behaviour, which ultimately comes down to common-sense and showing respect around the table.

At the inaugural meeting I will also appoint a deputy mayor and once again I’m recommending Cr Liz McMillan, who has so ably filled the role in the past three years.

We’ll then appoint councillors to a host of other committees, organisations and decision-making bodies. Many people may be surprised to learn that in total there are 65 committees, groups, organisations and meetings that councillors are required to attend in addition to regular council business.  Examples include the Ashburton Airport Authority, the road safety co-ordinating committee, the local Seniors Centre, the Mayfield Reserve Board and the Lower Hinds river rating group.

We’ll also discuss the pay for elected members, which has already been independently set by the national Remuneration Authority, and adopt a schedule for meetings and workshops until the end of the year.

Too early to be talking Christmas? Definitely not, as it’s crucial to ensure all those services you might take for granted (turning on the tap, flushing the toilet and driving your car on a road) continue over the holidays. So, one of the first reports we’ll receive as your newly-elected council will look at how Council services will be provided over the Christmas period.

There is some meaty work for the councillors on the near horizon too, as Council staff have begun the Annual Plan 2023-24 process and are looking at budgets and the projects they want to accomplish during the next financial year.

Councillors’ first get-together in 2023 will be a budget workshop and we’re looking forward to discussing these topics with our residents further in the New Year.

The business of Council rolls on!