I believe that we cannot go too far when it comes to consultation.
Consultation means talking and listening before taking action.
From your mayor This is what the Council is trying to do with every single major issue that affects it and ratepayers and it is one of the main reasons I do so much public speaking. It is not just so I can speak to the public it is also so I can listen to the public. We need to be prepared to negotiate publicly toward solutions to problems, so that when action takes place the public has had a fair say. Sometimes it means it takes longer to arrive at decisions. As a City we have to overcome the old reserve about speaking out on issues and become prepared to take an active part in deciding what direction the City should take.