Paula Thompson BOP Regional Councillor www.envbop.govt.nz

The new wave of reform about to hit local Government is, in part, about local government doing things better for its communities with the public wealth it has.

Most seem to be seeing this as being about cutting and constraining cost to communities, and of course it is, but it is also about trying to get local councils to be far more strategic and innovative in their thinking and ways of doing things.

Public wealth isn't just about money – it's about all sorts of resources within councils and communities, including thinking capability and innovative, flexible ways of working. The third sector has been doing more with less for years and our public sectors – be they at central or local level – could learn something.

It is entirely appropriate that public money raised from taxes and rates is spent very, very carefully. But now is the time to also focus on how to best use all resources – not just money – that are available within councils and communities for their betterment.

Anyone can bang a table and ramble on about the need to curb costs. Coming up with answers that do more with less and leave communities still making progress on a range of fronts, feeling engaged, supported and enthusiastic, is the challenge.

Councils don't have the sole responsibility to make communities and their place healthy, inclusive, safe, caring, affordable and special.

But they can be the hubs for encouraging all sources of public wealth to be valued and encouraged to contribute to the challenges.

It's time for some fresh thinking.