Thursday 13 December 2018

South Wairarapa District Council Chief Executive Paul Crimp has announced he will be stepping down from the role in March.

Mr Crimp says, “I am very proud of what I, and this Council, have achieved during the past five years. I feel that now is the time to move on to other things that are important to me.

“The Council is on a pathway of stability and strength, with a clear vision as set out in 2018/28 Long Term Plan.

“By developing a good understanding of the condition of our infrastructure assets, and establishing a long-term funding programme to maintain and enhance them, we’ve been able to shift our focus to addressing the wellbeing issues of our communities.  Examples of this include the work we’re doing to support the youth group in Featherston and partnering with the youth worker at Kuranui College.

“Other highlights for me have been introducing spatial planning, which will set a long-term strategic direction for investing in infrastructure and services, and initiating the proposal to undertake district-wide marketing.”

Mr Crimp leaves the Council in a stronger financial position than when he started. Mr Crimp says, “It’s been challenging as it’s easy to spend money in a local authority as there are always significant pressures coming from every direction.

“I’m also proud of the good working culture and “feel” we have now, and the progress we’ve made with wastewater to land to minimise our environment footprint,” Mr Crimp adds.

South Wairarapa Mayor Viv Napier says, “under Paul’s leadership we have achieved a great deal on some large projects; for example, getting the wastewater to land initiative well under way, refurbishing Featherston’s ANZAC Hall, opening the Waihinga Centre in Martinborough, developing a progressive long-term plan for the future, and all this during the discussions of council amalgamation.

“Mr Crimp’s financial expertise has put us in a healthy financial position while keeping rates down. He has been instrumental in moving us towards thinking about what our communities will need in the future,” says Ms Napier.

Mr Crimp was appointed Acting Chief Executive in April 2013 and has served under two South Wairarapa mayors, Adrienne Staples and currently Viv Napier. Before taking up the position, Mr Crimp was SWDC’s Group Manager for Corporate Services.

Mr Crimp has given three months’ notice, indicating he will leave no later than the end of March. A recruitment process for chief executive role will start immediately.

ENDS

Media contact:

Amy Wharram
Communications Manager
027 252 2863