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Resolution number PKTPP/2015/50
MOVED
by Chairperson JM Fairey, seconded by Member DA Holm:
That the Puketāpapa Local
Board:
a) confirm an
updated list of advocacy points for the discussions with the Budget Committee
on 24, 28 and 29 April 2015.
b) confirm its positions on regional issues and delegates to the
Chairperson to communicate these positions at the upcoming Budget Committee
workshops:
i) Investing in
Auckland
The Puketāpapa
Local Board has previously supported 3.5% rates increase, as we saw that as
necessary to provide funding for local board projects in our area and
elsewhere. However, the proposal put to the community for the Long-term Plan
at 3.5% contains few benefits for the Puketāpapa community above what
was proposed at 2.5%. This, along with strong submitter numbers in our area
against the 3.5% list, causes us to reconsider our previous support of the
3.5% probably in part as a result of this absence of Puketāpapa
projects in the 3.5% list, causes us to reconsider our previous support of
the 3.5% proposal. If Governing Body were to adopt a more
equitable list of projects covered by the 3.5% proposal, in particular, reinstate
funding to the Manukau Foreshore Coastal Walkway which was the most strongly
supported local project by Puketāpapa submitters, that would be likely
to receive support from the Puketāpapa Local Board.
ii) Fixing
Transport
The Puketāpapa
Local Board support the Auckland Plan in principle, noting strong local
support for this option from submitters, however has some reservations in
regard to roading projects in that Plan and would like to see full consideration
of the “Essentials” Plan proposed by Generation Zero, as a more affordable
option that focuses on public and active transport. This
position is reinforced by strong local submitter support for the following
regional proposals in the area of transport:
·
Cycling infrastructure
·
Bus lanes, new bus infrastructure, bus
services
·
The Dominion Road project
·
Light Rail
·
Roading network optimisation and resilience
·
Rail infrastructure, including the CRL and a
link to the Airport
We have received
very mixed feedback on the funding options, and are unable to take a firm
position on this due to the poor framing of the question, which seemed skewed
against one option because of the combining of rates increase and fuel tax.
iii) Your Rates
The Puketāpapa
Local Board continues to support the current UAGC level of $385. We note
that 46% of local submitters supported this, and a further 24% supported a
lower level of UAGC.
The Puketāpapa
Local Board continues to support a freeze on the reduction in business
differential and continues to see a wholesale review of the reduction
programme, in the interests of a more equitable spread of rates in relation
to those who benefit from the rates spend.
The Puketāpapa
Local Board notes that one third of the of local households face residential rates
increases of more than 10% and continues to support a 10% cap on residential
rates increases and encourages Auckland Council to seek remission options to
deliver this.
iv) Development Auckland CCO Proposal
The Puketāpapa
Local Board notes that a larger portion of local submitters supported this
proposal than opposed it and supports the establishment of the Development
Auckland CCO, as a replacement for Auckland Council Property Ltd and
Waterfront Auckland. However, we express concern that care be taken to
ensure that the new CCO does include town centre developments and
regenerations outside of the central city and waterfront, and proposes the
following local town centres for such attention:
·
Three Kings
·
Stoddard Road
·
Mt Roskill Village (corner Dominion and Mt
Albert Roads)
It is our
view that there must be strong formal community and elected member
involvement at the governance and project levels.
v) Library hour reductions
The Puketāpapa
Local Board notes strong local submitter opposition to a reduction in library
hours at the Mt Roskill Library, by 4 hours per week, as a result of regional
funding cuts.
c)
delegate to the Chairperson to develop and put
forward the local board’s views on any key issues that will arise from time
to time in the deliberations on the Long-term Plan 2015-2025.
d)
proposes that urgent discussion be convened
between Council officers, Puketāpapa Local Board members, James Wallace
Arts Trust and Governing Body members as appropriate, in order to try and
develop a robust consensus position in relation to long term funding of the
James Wallace Arts Centre at Pah Homestead and the proposed functions centre.
CARRIED
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