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Resolution number FR/2020/57
MOVED by
Chairperson A Baker, seconded by Deputy Chairperson A Fulljames:
That the
Franklin Local Board:
a)
receive consultation feedback on
regional proposals in the Emergency Budget 2020/2021 from people or
organisations based in the Franklin local board area.
b)
provide the following feedback to the
proposed Emergency Budget 2020/2021:
Consultation
questions
i)
support a 3.5% rates increase on the
basis that the implications of a 2.5% rates increase will have significant, long-term
and unacceptable implications on the Franklin area communities and the wider
Auckland communities that would undermine social and economic well-being
ii)
note the draft rates remission and
postponement policy, and support introduction of a rates postponement scheme to off-set anticipated impact from post-COVID-19 economic
hardship
iii)
support suspension of the Accomodation
Provider Targeted Rate (APTR) in principle to off-set anticipated impact from
international travel restrictions generated by the global COVID-19 pandemic,
pending further information on how the impact on ATEED budgets is to be
mitigated and consequential effects on local economic recovery initiatives.
Capital investment proposal
iv)
support a temporary reduction or
deferral of capital funding as set out under a 3.5% scenario in principle
v)
support a temporary reduction or
deferral of the Local Board Capital Transport Fund (LBCTF) and community
safety funding under the 3.5% scenario; however request that implications
from the reduction to LBCTF and community safety funding are informed by
local priorities as represented by local boards i.e. are not determined by
Auckland Transport in isolation of community perspective
vi)
do not support the deferral of all
LBCTF projects under a 2.5% scenario
vii)
support the deferral of walking and
cycling projects not in construction in the short term only, noting that
active transport is critical to Auckland’s response to climate change
and that there is poor support for active recreation across the increasingly
urbanised Franklin local board area
viii)
support a deferral of a range of
stormwater initiatives and request that projects that are at are creating
public health and safety issues or immediate risk to private property are
prioritised e.g. drainage issues at Orere Point that are creating risk from
consequential erosion
ix)
support a delay to planned Natural Environment
Targeted Rate work, including to planned track upgrades; however note that
pest management and Kauri dieback management in the Hūnua Ranges
should be prioritised to ensure that gains made in the ongoing protection and
environmental restoration in this regional park are not lost, and to ensure
that the Hūnua Ranges remain Kauri Dieback free
x)
request that in identifying projects
for deferral, staff consider availability of and enable local volunteer
workforces that could facilitate access to third party funding and a project
to continue at a lesser cost to the ratepayer e.g. Ada Platts Reserve track
xi)
support a $162 million reduction of
community investment as set out under the 3.5% scenario and where investment
is not contractually committed as an emergency budget measure
xii)
request that decisions on reduced local
community investment be informed by local priorities and according to the
direction of local boards who are best placed to understand and reflect local
priorities
xiii)
note the intention to delay One Local Initiatives
including the Karaka Sports Park and community hub development, and request
that this project is recommenced as a priority as soon as possible
xiv)
support the reduction in the Panuku
capital programme, noting that this may cause delays to delivery of the
Unlock Pukekohe project, but request a continued focus on programme
development, including investigation and preparation for opportunities to
recycle assets to enable development when appropriate.
Proposed measures to achieve
operational savings
xv) support a 10% reduction of Locally Driven Iniative operational
budgets as set out under a 3.5% rates increase scenario, and 20% under a 2.5%
rates scenario
xvi) note the ability of local boards to determine reduction of Asset Based
Services spending to offset this reduction at a local level and recognise
that such changes must be considered with advice from the organisation
xvii) do not support a reduction in pest eradication services, noting
that reduced service levels create an unacceptable risk of undoing gains
achieved with significant long-term consequences for the environment and on
often community-led outcomes
xviii) request that any reduction in environmental service levels
(programme delivery) give priority to initiatives that include a significant
established contribution from the community organisations
xix) do not support a reduction of Kauri dieback compliance monitoring,
particularly in the Hūnua Ranges, noting that the Hūnua Ranges are
Kauri dieback-free and vulnerable to infection
xx) would support prioritisation of pest eradication and Kauri dieback
compliance over inorganic waste collections in the short term, but request
that alternative inorganic disposal support be maintained to mitigate an
increase in illegal dumping e.g. a temporary operating model that enables
drop offs managed by community groups as fundraisers
xxi) support a review of customer service centre opening hours, noting
that the Pukekohe Service Centre opening hours will be tied to Pukekohe
Library opening hours
xxii) request that staff facilitate a incorporation of customer services
in Waiuku into the Waiuku Library to enable continued services
xxiii) suggest that staff investigate leasing the vacant rooms within the
Waiuku Service Centre, noting that is a revenue or community service opportunity
xxiv) support the short-term deferral of unallocated investment funding
into sport and recreational facilities suggested under a 3.5% rates scenario
xxv) do not support a regional approach to identifying reductions in
maintenance spend as suggested under a 2.5% scenario i.e. removing litter
bins and closing public toilets without consideration for local perspectives,
and strongly suggest that the source of additional savings from maintenance
are determined at the local level
xxvi) support the 2020/21 cancellation of regional events delivered by
Auckland Council, and suggest that support for events delivered through third
parties i.e. the events industry or community is adopted as the preferred
approach
xxvii)support a reduction of arts and culture programmes in principle,
however note that equitable local access to programmes, services and
facilities should be maintained and that should mean continued support for
Franklin Arts Centre as a spatially significant arts facility
xxviii) note the intention to reduce library programmes based on poor
attendance and strongly suggest that attendance is not the sole factor to be
considered i.e. services supported by the libraries programme but delivered
by volunteers in rural and isolated communities are disproportionately
important to the social well-being of those communities
xxix) request that a cost-benefit lens is applied in determining a
reduction in programmes and that this is applied in close consultation with
local boards
xxx) support a review of public transport service levels both as a
savings measure and as an opportunity to understand how to support better
uptake of emerging routes via consultation with the local board and community
xxxi) request that savings are sought through reductions to off-peak
frequency of routes rather than through a rationalisation of lower patronised
routes so that public transport can remain as an option for growing
communities
xxxii)encourage reconsideration of hybrid trains to extend public
transport options based on strong support for public transport demonstrated
in the public consultation
xxxiii) support implementation of reasonable charging at Auckland
Transport-provided park and ride facilities and note that pricing should
support continued access to public transport services
xxxiv) do not support a reduction in rural roading maintenance under any
scenario on the basis that poor maintenance creates an unacceptable risk to
community safety and, in the Franklin Local Board area, to produce and
development supply chains i.e. food distribution, quarry and landfill
services
xxxv)do not support a significant reduction in Panuku planning
services, noting that planning is critical to the long-term success of emerging
communities and under-investment will create a poor legacy for future
generations
xxxvi) support a short-term reduction in major event funding, noting that
the rationale for major event investment is dependant on return on regional
investment, largely generated by international tourism. Suggest that
funding in 2020/2021 is focussed on events that generate significant domestic
tourism, local economic benefit and social well-being (pride) e.g. the Supercars
event at Pukekohe is New Zealand’s largest annual event with 95%
domestic visitors
xxxvii) do not support a reduction in ATEED economic recovery budget
pending confirmation that ATEED are adopting a new localised approach to
service delivery and noting that services that support economic recovery are
critical to long-term community wellbeing
xxxviii) support the deferral of the living wage and homelessness
co-ordination and savings initiatives associated with elected member
remuneration
xxxix) do not support deferral of foundation work for climate change
interventions, as climate change has a significant effect on rural and
coastal communities
xl) support the continuation of initiatives intended to improve local
Māori outcomes
xli) support the retention of the southern animal shelter, noting
strong local feedback in support of this service.
Other revenue generation
xlii) support acceleration of some property sales to enable recovery
from the COVID-19 economic impact (rationalisation), on the condition that a
local lens is applied to developing sale outcomes to enable local needs to be
considered i.e. emerging need generated through impending development
xliii) do not support a partial or full sell-down of Auckland International
Airport and Ports of Auckland Limited shares
xliv) support optimisation as a locally-driven strategy for off-setting
regional and local investment on the condition that it is applied in close
consultation with local boards
xlv) support the exit from non-core service provision where there is
adequate market provision e.g. gyms, holiday parks and early childhood
education
Note: the board
wish to acknowledge the extraordinary amount of work done by Auckland Council
staff, including Local Board Services staff. The finance staff have worked
hard over long hours, keeping up with constant changes. The advice has been exemplary,
clear and easy to understand.
We also wish to
acknowledge the willingness of the Governing Body to include Local Board
Chairs in workshop discussions, to enable us to be informed.
CARRIED
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