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Resolution
number HM/2022/164
MOVED by Deputy Chairperson B Loader, seconded by Member
B Brady:
That
the Henderson-Massey Local Board:
a)
whakarite / provide the following feedback on potential regional
consultation topics and policies for the Annual Budget 2023/2024 and note the
following:
i)
the role of Council in statute is to promote social, economic,
environmental and cultural wellbeing of communities now and in the future
ii)
Henderson-Massey Local Board area has a growing population
including struggling families and older people, with a lower socio-economic
profile than many other areas. The Henderson-Massey Local Board area faces
huge pressures on infrastructure due to disproportionately increased housing
intensification
iii)
any budget cuts proposed by the Mayoral Budget will have a
disproportionately higher impact on residents within Henderson-Massey than
many other areas in Auckland. All funding decisions must be made with an
equity lens and in consideration of our communities of need
iv)
areas of anticipated high growth such as the Northwest Growth
Area including Redhills have not been adequately provided for in the budget
Operational Costs Savings Within the Council:
b) Henderson-Massey Local
Board support in principle the additional $60 million cost savings proposed
for Auckland Council, with the following feedback:
i)
an equity lens needs to be applied
when considering reductions in regional services such as arts programmes,
regional events, community programmes and social services. Lower income
communities will be disproportionately affected by such reductions. Service
reductions should be made in a way as to lessen the impact on communities of
greatest need
ii)
the local board’s general view is that regional contestable grants have
historically been poorly targeted and difficult for communities of greatest
need to access. However, in discontinuing those grants, advice will need to
be provided to local boards on whether there are groups in their area who
will be adversely affected by these reductions, as those groups may look to
the board as an alternative source of funding. Many community
organisations in Henderson-Massey area are reliant on local and regional council
contestable grants so will be adversely affected should these be discontinued
iii)
the local board is concerned about the potential effects of reducing open
space levels of service delivered through the Parks and Community Facilities
full facility maintenance contracts. Henderson-Massey has historically
been underfunded by Auckland Council, and we already struggle with perceived
poor levels of service due to this inequity. Reducing these levels
further will have detrimental effects on community pride, which in turn leads
to more vandalism and anti-social behaviour
iv)
consider that the governing body
should seek advice on the potential sale of Council-owned golf courses
v)
do not support a 5
per cent reduction to overall Local Board funding in 2023/2024. The board’s
Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) budget is already very small and is only
focused on local delivery of projects which support the council’s
direction and the local board plan. Any reduction will have a
disproportionate impact on Henderson-Massey. This includes core
services and facilities, environmental and social services. Any
reduction and even a pause in these longitudinal activities will cause
environmental degradation and social harm to our most vulnerable communities
vi)
support the proposal
that any reductions in local board funding should be determined by each local
board in their own right
vii)
suggest that the
local board funding be tagged to inflation
viii)
the local board
values supporting and sustaining our community partnerships who consistently
deliver at a grassroots level. The Henderson-Massey community have a
greater reliance on council services so will be adversely affected by a
reduction in services and activities
ix)
the
Henderson-Massey area has a proportionately higher degree of housing
intensification than all other local board areas and with a growing
population it will be necessary to tailor our finances to ensure that there
is adequate infrastructure to support our community
x)
do not support a
reduction in Asset Based Services (ABS) capital and operational expenditure. This
expenditure supports the grass-roots work undertaken by Council that the
community sees, and has the greatest impact particularly in Henderson-Massey
due to the demographic of our population which includes a high number of
Māori/Pacifica, Ethnic and Youth, as well as a large proportion of
population with a low socio-economic profile. The Henderson-Massey area
has a large number of community partners that rely upon ABS expenditure
xi)
do not support a
change in service delivery levels for libraries. Our libraries and
community centres are fully utilised and are critical to addressing the needs
of our community. Te Manawa is a high performing multi-use facility
that has piloted a new combined services approach which could be a valuable
template to implement in other areas across Auckland
xii)
more funding
support from government to deliver government-mandated programmes should be
provided but delivered locally in partnership with community organisations
xiii)
support the
proposal to generate additional income through funds received from
accommodation and leases. New leases provide a prime opportunity for
increased income and lessees should be obligated to deliver more out of the
buildings they lease
xiv)
support consulting
on an amendment to the Community Occupancy Guidelines to provide local boards
with greater discretion to adjust the maintenance and administration costs
recovered in community leases. We consider that granting local boards
this greater discretion is in line with the principles of the Governance
Framework Review
xv)
the local board
recognise the importance of developing new community partnerships relating to
increased needs in our Māori community, particularly with regard to the
statutory responsibilities to be delivered under new resource management
legislation
xvi)
do not support the
proposal to reduce development of plans and strategies. They play an
important role in making good, informed decisions
xvii)
the local board
recognise the backlog of renewals and maintenance of current assets and that
the proposed budget does not address this issue
xviii) note that the board have a number of capex
projects planned including a destination all-abilities playground, and
supports the continued funding of these
xix)
equity must be a
key factor when determining proportionate local board spending in light of
the recommendations of the Governance Framework Review
xx)
there is ambiguity
in the application of this proposal, and the recommendations will take a
large amount of staff resourcing and time to implement them. It is unclear
how far into the future it will take to realise the aspirations in this
proposal
Operational costs savings at CCOs:
c)
Henderson-Massey
Local Board support in
principle costs savings proposed for Council-controlled Organisations (CCOs)
with the following feedback:
i)
support shared
group services for all CCOs including ICT, fleet, insurance, administration
to avoid duplication
ii)
support the
restoration of bus transport routes that have been reduced or cancelled due
to COVID-19 and staffing issues. Auckland Transport should not be
basing public transport (PT) funding decisions on the poor management of
their contract providers employee relationships with bus drivers
iii)
note that
Henderson-Massey Local Board has a low quality PT network with areas that
have minimum or inadequate levels of public transport service, which are not
addressed in the Mayoral Proposal
iv)
do not support an
increase in PT fares
v)
note that the City
Rail Link (CRL) is not active until 2025 and there is concern that this
target will not be met under the proposed budget. CRL is a critical
infrastructure to enable more frequent and reliable PT in Henderson-Massey
area
vi)
do not support the
proposal to reduce Eke Panuku Development Auckland (Eke Panuku) funding for
the Unlock areas of Auckland in the highest deprivation areas. Unlock
Henderson remains a top priority for Henderson-Massey Local Board
General Rates Increase
d)
Henderson-Massey Local Board support the proposed package of
rates changes, including:
i)
a general rate increase of 7 per cent
ii)
a temporary reduction of the Natural Environment Targeted Rate
(NETR) and Water Quality Targeted Rate (WQTR) by two thirds in the 2023/2024
financial year, with the caveat that it does not become a permanent reduction
iii)
pausing the long-term differential strategy for business rates
for the 2023/2024 year
e)
Henderson-Massey Local Board provide the following further
feedback:
i)
acknowledges the challenge that a rates rise will have on our
community in light of the predicted recession, inflation and mortgage
rates; however any lowering of rates rise will directly impact on the level
of services offered to our community
Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) shares:
f)
Henderson-Massey
Local Board acknowledge there will be
mixed views on the sale of AIAL shares, and supports undertaking public
consultation on changing the AIAL shareholding policy before permitting a
full sale of Auckland Council’s 18.09 per cent shareholding in AIAL and
using the proceeds to reduce Council’s debt. We reserve the right to provide
our final feedback after public consultation is complete
g)
Henderson-Massey Local Board would
like to receive more information on the relative benefits of retaining or
selling the shares, including how long it might take for the returns derived
from keeping the shares would outweigh the returns from selling them
h)
Henderson-Massey Local Board strongly
supports public ownership of the strategic asset
Ports of Auckland Ltd:
i)
Henderson-Massey
Local Board support
expectations for POAL to increase their dividends to Auckland Council by $10
million or more in the 2023/2024 financial year, but that any potential rise
in this key performance indicator should not compromise workers’ rights
to fair pay and a safe work environment
Long-term Plan:
j)
Henderson-Massey Local Board support a review of local board
funding and decision-making framework with a view to local boards taking
accountability for asset decisions and their associated costs
k)
Henderson-Massey Local Board support in principle the proposal
for increased decision-making powers for local boards
l)
Henderson-Massey Local Board note that the Council has not yet
implemented the policy for more direct decision-making, and that this work
has not had funding allocated
m) Henderson-Massey
Local Board note further local board feedback will be provided following
public consultation.
CARRIED
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