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Resolution number WH/2020/69
MOVED by Chairperson K Thomas,
seconded by Member F Amosa:
That the Whau Local Board:
a) receive
consultation feedback on regional proposals in the Emergency Budget 2020/2021
from people and organisations based in the Whau local board area
b) thank everyone
who submitted from the Whau Local Board area for their feedback
c) support
a general rate increase of 3.5 per cent for the 2020/2021 financial year,
based on the following factors:
i.
a
rates rise of 2.5 per cent would have a devastating impact on the local
board’s ability to invest in some of the services and assets that are
critical to meeting the identified needs of its communities. In particular
the Local Board Discretionary Initiatives (LDI) budget allocation is a very
small amount of Council expenditure, and that it is the responsive fund for
local communities so significant cuts would be very noticeable to local
communities
ii.
the
Whau Local Board is still catching up to the agreed regional level of
allocation under the Local Board Funding Policy
iii.
the
Whau local board has high areas of socio-economic deprivation, and a reduction
in local budget could have significant flow on impacts to its most vulnerable
communities.
iv.
the Whau
Local Board acknowledges mana whenua as Treaty partners, as well as its
commitments to all Māori in the Whau, and believes that Council’s
stated intention of honouring these commitments cannot adequately be met with
a rates rise of less than 3.5 per cent
d) support rates
postponement for ratepayers impacted by COVID-19 given the economic
hardship being experienced by many residents and businesses in the
Whau Local Board area
e) support
the suspension of the Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate due to the
economic impact of the lack of overseas visitors on the tourism industry
f) note
its support for retaining funding for the following types of activities which
received
significant community support in consultation, and caution against any
significant funding cuts to these activities:
i.
ongoing
support to our community partners
ii.
investment
in cycleways and other initiatives to support uptake of active modes
iii.
investment
in public transport
iv.
investment
in transport safety
v.
investment
in initiatives to address climate change
vi.
investigating
and supporting increased provision of public toilets
g) makes
the following comments on other matters noted in the consultation material:
i.
the Local
Board has previously provided feedback to the governing body noting its
general opposition to asset sales and the reduction of Opex budgets, and its
preference for increasing debt as a lever for increasing available funding.
The local board reiterates these comments and notes that Capex deferrals,
while preferable to asset sales and Opex cuts, will also impact on local
communities
ii.
the Local
Board remains committed to its One Local Initiative, confirmed in the current
Long-term Plan, of developing an aquatic and recreation facility in the Whau
Local Board area
iii.
the Local
Board would be open to the possibility of charging for park and ride facilities
but would urge caution in the implementation of such a policy noting that it
could disincentivise update of public transport for some, and would urge
Council to consider focusing the longer-term use of this revenue on the
development of new park and ride facilities – for example a
multi-storey park and ride in New Lynn
iv.
the Local
Board strongly supports libraries and would oppose any significant cuts to
libraries’ hours or operating budgets
v.
the Local
Board has concerns about reductions in pest control and initiatives to stop
the spread of Kauri Dieback, along with other environmental initiatives
– particularly those focusing on our waterways – that have been
consistently identified as a high priority for our communities
vi.
the Local
Board has concerns around the potential closure of public toilets and removal
of rubbish bins and would urge Council to take a cautious approach should
this be required
vii.
the Local
Board has concerns about the possible closure of animal shelters as there is
likely to be increased demand for these services
h) note
its concern about the lack of information regarding the Local Board Transport
Capital Fund and advocate strongly for this fund to continue in its current
form, even if some reduction in budgets is inevitable. The board would identify
this as being particularly important if there were to be any reduction in current
levels of investment in transport safety and active modes
j) request
that the external funding allocated to the Whau Local Board via the Waka
Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency’s SH16/SH20 mitigation funds, and
also through the proceeds of the sale of Arthur Currey Reserve in New Windsor,
be ring-fenced and retained in full for unrestricted and immediate use
by the Whau Local Board without impact on the availability of funds to the local
board from Auckland Council budgets.
CARRIED
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