No issues on file for Steve Gibson.

1. Economic Development:
   This Council has a very strong working relationship with the PNCC through joint venture operations in Vision Manawatu and Destination Manawatu who are charged with driving our economic growth in the City and District. Our focus is on providing an environment which will enhance our ability to grow our employment base, our wage levels and to capitalise on our strong science and environmental bases. If we were able to lift the average wage in this Region by 10% we will give our people a significant advantage. Manfeild Park will play a significant role in this sector through its ability to attract new innovative business to the Manawatu as do Feilding Promotions who are passionate about the future development of Feilding and the District.
   
2. ABC(Amalgamation, Boundary change or Cross boundary services) report:
   This report has been commissioned by the Palmerston North City Council and the Manawatu District Council jointly and reported back to us both on the Boundary matters related to both Councils. It has recommended that we go out to our Communities seeking feedback on the future of the boundary with respect to possible Amalgamation or Boundary adjustment. The Manawatu District council has discussed this report and we are recommending to our Community that we have further discussion on the prospect of a major boundary change in the area surrounding Longburn and Bunnythorpe including some of the Kairanga area. This report can be viewed in full on the Manawatu District council website:mdc.govt.nz
   
3. Rates:
   Previous Councils have rated to repair and upgrade infrastructure during the past five years leaving the next Council in a strong position and whilst I can give no guarantee around future rate levels I can assure you all that if I am re-elected any Council I lead will pay much attention to this area of our business and we will be particularly aware of the difficult situation many of our ratepayers families are in. Because of the previous Councils commitment to upgrading infrastructure it will not be difficult to restrict rate rises to a minimum in the next three years.
   
4. The Council:
   I have led a strong proactive Council over the past three years and will if re-elected continue to do so. We have been served by a very competent team of Councillors who have proved capable of making the hard decisions after robust debate and remaining a strong unified team. Lorraine Vincent has taken over the reins as Chief Executive from the long serving Rod Titcombe and has built an outstanding team of staff capable of serving the District well into the future. I will undertake to continue to encourage the development of our Councillors and Staff to serve our district with transparency and integrity in the next three years.