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Resolution
number WTM/2020/147
MOVED by Chairperson R Northey, seconded by
Member G Gunthorp:
That the Waitematā Local Board:
d)
provide the
following feedback to the proposed Emergency Budget 2020/2021
Emergency Budget Consultation questions:
i.
supports a 3.5%
general rates increase, noting that more than twice as many Waitematā
submissions supported this increase versus the 2.5% alternative in our local
board area
ii.
supports the rates
postponement scheme and recommends that the interest rate applied is as low
as practicable without distorting the market
iii. support suspension of the Accomodation
Provider Targeted Rate (APTR) until the end of the whole 2020/2021 financial
year due to the significant impact that COVID-19 will have on visitors and
tourists coming into Auckland
Capital investment proposals:
iv.
support
prioritising capital that supports economic activity, delivers road safety
improvements and supports our pathway to achieving a 50% reduction in carbon
emissions by 2030
v.
notes that the
Local Board Transport Capital Fund is a three-year budget and therefore
recommends that the full pro rata budget is reinstated after this financial
year
vi.
recommend that the
proposed Local Board Transport Capital Fund of $5m for 2020/2021 is
allocated across the 21 local boards and is utilised to achieve short term
tactical urbanism where appropriate community consultation supports that,
then opens the pathway for a more permanent approach when budget allows
vii.
strongly supports
the restoration of the community safety fund to ensure the protection of
vulnerable road users in line with vision zero
viii.
notes that 46% of
our carbon emissions come from Auckland’s transport network and
therefore supports prioritising the delivery of sustainable transport
options, including the planned walking and cycling projects, which support a
decrease in traffic congestion and the continuation of electrification of
public transport
ix.
do not support the
deferral of stormwater initiatives
x.
do not support
delaying the planned Natural Environment Targeted Rate work and reducing the
Kauri dieback compliance monitoring
xi.
request that the
Governing Body prioritise budget for seismic strengthing and retaining Leys
Institute Building as a library in recognition of the importance of the Leys
Library building in both its heritage value and provision of library services
to the community.
xii.
request that the
delivery of the local boards One Local Initiative – Ponsonby Park is
not deferred beyond a year.
recommend
that the reduction in library budgets be by no more than 10%
and of public art by no more than 50%
xiii.
recommend that
projects funded by the City Centre Targeted rates be progressed and not
deferred.
Opex proposed measures to achieve operational savings:
xiv.
support a 5% only
reduction in locally driven initiatives budget, acknowleding that local board
funding is a small percentage of the overall council group budget but is a
vital and highly responsive support avenue for a variety of community
initiatives that help support resilient communities
xv.
oppose the
reduction in pest eradication as it will result in a need to increase funding
in the future
xvi.
acknowledge the key
role libraries and community centres contribute to community well-being and
resiience in the recovery of COVID-19
xvii. support retaining the current total hours of
opening for human service facilities – libraries, community centres,
arts centres and swimming pools, particularly the Ellen Melville Centre and
the Auckland City Central Library
xviii. do not support closing public toilet
facilities to achieve operational savings
xix.
support the
reduction of open space standards, where appropriate, in order to achieve
operational savings under 3.5%, and utilise these savings to minimise the
need to reduce opening hours at libraries and community facilities, i.e.
removing selected litter bins and identifying open space areas across
Auckland where reduced mowing levels could support increased biodiversity and
not impact on accessibility
xx.
do not support the
reduction of arts and culture programmes delivered at art facilities
xxi.
support the
continuation of the regional celebration of Matariki in recognition of the
opportunity it creates for all Aucklanders and visitors to learn, experience
and embrace an aspect of Auckland’s vibrant Māori culture
xxii. is prepared to accept stopping library programmes
that have poor attendance (poor value for money) but recommends that these
are replaced with programmes that add increased value
xxiii.
support
investigating the increase in other revenue, including parking building
concessions and parking charges particularly for park and ride
xxiv.
do not support the
reduction of public transport service levels, noting that these reductions
would negatively impact on Council meeting our climate change targets and
have a disproportionate impact on Auckland’s vulnerable communities
xxv. recommend that car-park concessions provide
adequately for casual users who are using them for retail, entertainment and
hospitality purposes on which those businesses depend. This would
include casual carparking charges not being higher that street parking, and a
minimum proportion of parking to be available for casual users.
Monopoly provision across that local submarket of car parks should not be
allowed.
Other revenue generation:
xxvi.
support the
exploration of alternate revenue generation through exiting from services
that are currently provided through private market provision i.e. holiday
parks and gyms
xxvii.
request that if the
Governing Body agrees to accelerate sales of property that proper
consultation and input with our community is a requirement
Other:
xxviii. re-confirm the board’s high priority
principle views agreed on 5 May 2020 (Resolution number WTM/2020/86) :
·
maintain Council
spending and resources and avoid services cuts principally through the avenue
of additional short-term borrowing, and exploring increased revenue streams
and alternate funding vehicles
·
maintain council
staffing levels at the current appropriate level and ensure that there is
budget provision for a ‘living wage’, look to reduce the use of
consultants and outsourcing, and focus on enabling local jobs and employment
to help boost economy.
·
ensure a long-term view
of potential savings is taken, including reviewing current commitments to
identify which projects may deliver savings in the long term or where stopping
would create longer term costs
·
climate action analysis
to be central to the process in considering savings so that climate emergency
response is prioritised and such implications, benefits and trade-offs are
understood
·
continue to care for
the environment (water quality, biodiversity, pest control)
·
protect service levels
for libraries, pools, marae, community centres, community houses, recreation
centres, playgrounds, parks, sports fields, green initiatives, climate change
projects, cleaning streams, environmental partnerships, renewals and general
activities that provide local jobs and help towards the recovery and mental
and physical health
·
refocus ATEED funding
primarily towards the recovery as an economic development agency (including
support for BIDs and town centres) while retaining a longer-term role for
revenue generating economic activities such as films, and domestic
eco-tourism
·
prefer providing relief
in the form of access to appropriate rates postponement policies and systems
being made available for residents and businesses facing hardship rather than
making significant cuts to many Council services and projects.
xxix. re-confirm the board’s following
in-principle views agreed on 5 May 2020 (Resolution number WTM/2020/86)
·
acknowledge that local
board funding is a small percentage of the overall council group budget but
is a vital and highly responsive support avenue for a variety of community
initiatives that help support resilient communities
·
that the delivery of
the four well beings – social, economic, environmental and cultural
should continue to be “core” services for Auckland Council
·
continue to focus
funding towards building community capacity to support the recovery and
ensure the inequity divide across the region does not worsen
·
support for vulnerable
communities such as the elderly, deprived/low income communities, youth and
Maori/Pasifika communities should be maintained or enhanced through the
Emergency Budget as they are disproportionately affected by health and
economic emergencies
·
continue the existing
value for money review to ensure cost effectiveness and efficiency gains of
our services
·
ensure all major
transformation projects include business continuity plans and a development
response programme to mitigate further financial pressure on local businesses
·
limit the reduction of
services or deferment of capital projects only to those whose priority is
affected by controls on entry to New Zealand and restrictions on large-scale
events
·
investigate the use of
local procurement and supporting local services/businesses and community
organisations for the delivery of council projects and services.
xxx.
re-confirm its feedback on the proposals in the Annual Budget
2020/2021 consultation part 1 as follows (WTM/2020/148):
·
support increasing the
annual waste management targeted rate by $19.97 to recover the additional
costs of recycling paper, cardboard and plastics
·
support increasing the
refuse collection targeted rate in former Auckland City and Manukau City to
cover the cost of collection
·
support continuing the
Waitākere rural sewerage service and increasing the targeted rate to
cover the cost of the septic tank pumpout service
·
support replacing the
swimming pool onsite inspection cost with an annual targeted rate.
xxxi. note that climate change was a key theme from
the feedback received, and that spending in climate change should be
prioritised
xxxii. strongly oppose any cuts to the following five
proposals; reduction in ATEED economic recovery budget, defer Mayoral
proposal on Living Wage, not continuing the Mayoral proposal for Homelessness
coordination, deferral of foundation work for climate change intervention and
defer initiatives intended to improve Maori outcomes, which would go against
the commitment in the consultation document to not reduce resourcing Māori outcomes
xxxiii. note that the Waitematā Local Board members have agreed to pay for their own
catering
xxxiv. support reducing major event funding and note
that the local board are also intending to cut local event funding by about
one-third
CARRIED
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