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Resolution number DT/2014/271
MOVED
by Chairperson MA Cohen, seconded by Deputy Chairperson JM Bergin:
That the Devonport-Takapuna Local
Board:
a)
provide the following feedback on the
mayoral proposal and the implications of this proposal, noting that this
feedback is provided in the context of limited information at this point, and
request that opportunity for further feedback is provided once the
implications are more clearly understood:
Rates
i.
acknowledges the attractiveness for the
Governing Body in restricting the average rate increase to 2.5%.
ii.
expresses concern at the adverse
impacts on Local Boards’ services and possible future capital projects given
that Auckland Council‘s rate income has not been reduced. The board,
therefore, requests that the shared governance model be respected and that
the local boards and the Governing Body work together on options to rebalance
between regional and local and to find further efficiencies (especially
procurements and processes).
Budget
allocation
iii.
does not support the proposed budget
envelope for the parks, community and lifestyle theme, as these activities
are the most significant for local boards and are the most valued by our
communities as indicated by feedback received as part of the local board
planning process.
Renewals
iv.
support an adequately funded and timely
renewals programme for all of our assets (including assets on parks and
reserves, community facilities, pools and leisure centres, libraries and all
other local assets), noting that the renewals programme should be funded from
depreciation. The selection criteria to determine assets requiring renewal funding
should be based on robust asset management plans and timely condition
assessments.
New capital
programme
v.
support a slowing down of Auckland
Council’s entire new capital works programme (including CCOs and regional
budgets), if this is required to ensure that important local services to
Aucklanders can continue and our communities do not experience significant
rates rises.
vi.
note that the implications of the
mayoral proposal in the parks, community and lifestyle theme are that no new
capital development is likely to take place during the lifetime of the local
board plans (unless it is funded through the board’s locally driven
initiatives budget which will effectively become a sinking fund due to the
associated consequential opex charged).
vii.
believe this loss of new capital
projects is unacceptable, and that small local projects should not be
unilaterally de-prioritised in favour of regional projects, as the board
believes that small investment in local projects which involve the community
has a major impact on our neighbourhoods.
Regional
capital programme
viii.
request further information and
modelling around the funding allocated to regional projects, as well as what
impact the slowing down of some of these projects may have on the overall
budget.
ix.
support investment in regional projects
where they provide benefits to all Aucklanders, but query the speed of their
delivery where this has a material impact on the ability to deliver local
projects.
Parks
x.
do not support any proposed adjustments
to levels of service in our parks and reserves and beaches where there is a
material impact on our ratepayers’ experience of these assets, noting that
during consultation for our recent local board plan, our communities selected
public ‘open space that allows us to live’ as a high priority.
xi.
do not support in particular the
introduction of chemical spraying and agrichemical use in reserves as the
primary basis of controlling weeds and pests.
xii.
support investment in capacity building
and support to community and volunteer groups.
xiii.
in principle do not support divestment
of any parks or reserves.
Community
development, arts and culture
xiv.
support the proposed mayoral direction
for community development and support an extension of this approach to all
services currently managed by the Community Development, Arts and Culture
department.
xv.
support in particular the aim of a more
empowered community approach and the move away from direct delivery of
community development services and programmes by council.
xvi.
note that for the model to be successful
there must first of all be sufficient capability within each community.
xvii.
support investment in capacity building
and support to community groups as a priority.
xviii.
suggest that the work to develop this
new model region-wide involves local boards from the outset and utilises
services that already work within a partnership framework as best practice
examples.
xix.
request that the work to re-model
community development, arts and culture services includes a thorough analysis
of current spend across the region (including both direct service delivery
and business unit overhead costs), and that equity in expenditure is
addressed as the model is developed and implemented.
xx.
in principle do not support divestment
of any necessary community assets, including community halls and buildings.
Service Levels
xxi.
support greater flexibility in the
Board’s discretion to make adjustments (up or down) to service levels within
the board’s total financial envelope.
xxii.
do not support the proposed
standardisation of library opening hours where it leads to a reduction in
service levels in our local libraries.
Transformation
projects
xxiii.
note Takapuna’s status as a strategic
priority area and ask that the LTP 2015-2025 ensures there is sufficient
capital available for its redevelopment as a metropolitan centre.
General
xxiv.
authorise Chair Mike Cohen and Deputy
Chair Joseph Bergin to add further feedback, after circulation to all local
board members, if additional information becomes known at attendance at
further meetings or workshops, and that any additions or amendments are
reported back to the board.
CARRIED
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