Bullock has to clean up his act...

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In a tongue-in-cheek report card on the performance of Wanganui District councillors a few weeks ago, the Chronicle said councillor Jack Bullock was "maturing in his role" and was showing a much greater understanding of council now he's into his second term.

As a councillor, Mr Bullock has been at the forefront of youth committee activities, had a profile in debate on dangerous dogs, and was certainly a strong advocate against the retailing of legal highs in his city.

While this is all highly laudable, indeed expected of a local body politician, the young councillor continues to queer his pitch by court appearances after being arrested for possession of cannabis last November, and again this week for driving while suspended.

He's also had problems with unpaid rent. Last month he had his tenancy terminated by the Tenancy Tribunal after owing more than $1000 in unpaid rent. In 2011, he and a former partner were ordered by the Tenancy Tribunal to pay $6500 owed to a family trust for unpaid rent.

This week the 24-year-old pleaded guilty in the Whanganui District Court to a charge of driving while suspended. He had told police he thought the suspension had finished. He was fined $400 and court costs of $130 and disqualified from driving for a further six months.

Under the Local Government Act, an elected member is disqualified from office if they are convicted of an offence punishable by a term of imprisonment of two years or more. The possession charge Mr Bullock faced had a maximum penalty of three months' imprisonment and/or a $500 fine. In February last year he completed diversion and avoided prosecution for possession.

This is not a litany that shines a kindly light on the young councillor but these are outcomes of his own making.

Now's the time for him to set about making positive changes.