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Resolution
number WTM/2022/220
MOVED by Chairperson G Sage, seconded by Member A Bonham:
That
the Waitematā Local Board:
a)
whakarite / provide the
following feedback on potential regional consultation topics and policies for
the Annual Budget 2023/2024:
1. Operational Cost Savings
i)
the local board does not support the
proposed 5 per cent reduction in local board discretionary budgets, which
would result in a required reduction of approximately $16 million across
local board budgets based on the formula used to determine Locally Driven
Initiatives budgets under the Local Board Funding Policy.
ii)
note that the reduction will primarily
impact on LDI budgets but acknowledge that there may be some options to amend
Asset Based Budgets and or seek increased revenue via other sources, such as
partnerships, sponsorships.
iii) note that the proposed reduction could impact our Locally
Driven Initiatives (LDI) funding by up to 50%, which would disproportionately
impact our environmental, community grants, events, and climate action
programming and consideration needs to be given to the cumulative impact of
this on community groups and the wider community.
iv) in addition, we are concerned that under this proposal
the local board would need to equally consider reductions in its Asset Based
Services (ABS) budgets which would have impacts on service levels for
facilities, assets, and open spaces, which will disproportionately impact our
communities of greatest need, such as our housing vulnerable communities.
v)
the local board supports the proposal
to consult on leveraging central government resources to better deliver on
social services and programming, such as funding for Community Education
Trust Auckland, Te Hononga Akoranga (COMET) and early childhood education and
support services.
vi) the local board supports the proposal to consult on
Auckland Council withdrawal from the provision of early-childhood education
in areas where the need is not as great and support the option to contract
out.
vii) the local board does not support the proposal to consult
on the reduction of general rates-funded regional contestable grants in the
areas of Community Development, Events, Arts and Culture, Environmental,
Historical Heritage, and Youth and Sports Programming, which would have an
additional impact to the services delivered to our local communities.
viii) The local board does not support the proposal to consult on
the reduction of funding for community safety initiatives, particularly in
the city centre and highlight our grave concern over the proposal to reduce
regional funding to address homelessness.
ix) Note that contestable grants at both the local board
level, and regional level, provide a mechanism for community groups and
organisations to deliver services into communities that Auckland Council
could not otherwise provide, and the reduction of these services would
disproportionately impact our communities of greatest need. The board might
support some reductions of contestable grants at a more regional level that
are discretionary.
x)
Urges that the proposed additional
$60 million cut in operational expenditure over and above the existing $33
million reduction commitment be limited to $30 million at most because these
service cuts would hit vulnerable and lower income people most.
xi) the local board supports the proposal to consult on a
reduction of maintenance for our regional open spaces if in the long term the
impact is no more than minor, and the cost is not greater.
xii) the local board does not support the proposal to consult
on reducing Healthy Waters maintenance programming and notes that increasing
storm events require retention of budget to respond quickly and efficiently.
xiii) the local board does not support the proposal to consult
on a review of the governance services provided to local boards. The
attribution of increased decision making to local boards because of the
Governance Framework Review will require more resource, not less. Adequately
resourced governance services are critical to effectively deliver the
statutory obligations and objectives of local boards on behalf of
communities.
xiv) the local board supports the proposal to consult on
optimising Council facilities occupied by staff, and to sub-lease vacant
buildings.
xv) The local board supports the proposal to consult on
operational efficiencies relating to corporate accommodation and fleet
vehicles.
xvi) The local board does not support the proposal to consult
on operational efficiencies with regard to local procurement, human
resources, health and safety, and engagement and communications.
xvii) note that any potential reduction or optimisation of
operations may impact on the ability to deliver a quality service for
ratepayers, and appropriate review should be undertaken to ensure any changes
remain viable.
2. Operational Cost Savings Council Controlled Organisations
(CCOs)
i)
the local board supports the proposal
to consult on a reduction of $27.5 million from Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
relating to facilities operations, events and promotions, and operational
efficiencies.
ii)
the local board supports the proposal
to consult on maintaining Auckland Transport’s current reduction in
services due to the shortage of bus drivers.
iii) the local board does support the proposal to consult on
an increase to public transport fares.
iv)
the Local
Board does not support proposed cuts to cycle projects, especially if these
projects are combined with the necessary road renewals and an opportunity to
update and maintain infrastructure provision, improve landscaping, and reduce
congestion by improving public transport and walking amenities.
v)
The local board advocates that
Auckland Transport work with Waka Kotahi to reconsider the scope of light
rail. An overground option might allow resources to be redistributed across
the network.
vi) the local board recommends that parking or driving fines
are raised to meet or marginally exceed the costs of recovery.
vii) the local board somewhat supports the proposal to consult
on a $5 million reduction within Eke Panuku, but notes that these savings
will mean a significant reduction
in spend on planned urban regeneration in the Waterfront including security,
events, activation and planning and design for future development activities
provided this does not reduce an effective safety and security response at a
time when the waterfront community is experiencing heightened antisocial
behavior.
3. Rates
i)
the local board does not support the
proposal to consult on offsetting the general rates by temporarily reducing
the Water Quality Targeted Rate (WQTR) and Natural Environment Targeted Rate
(NETR) and supports continuing the Climate Action Targeted Rate (CATR) in
full due to the critical need for continuing efforts on improving the natural
environment, biosecurity, and water quality, and to maintain Auckland
Council’s C40 obligations and commitments. It is important to deliver
Auckland’s Climate Plan and meet our emission reduction targets.
ii)
The local board supports the proposal
to consult on a rates increase, and further supports an additional increase
of at least 0.8 per cent to reduce any required reductions of local board
discretionary budgets.
iii) the local board does not support the proposal to consult
on a pause of the long-term business to residential differential, noting the
ongoing and significant pressure the business community has faced due to the
impacts of COVID19.
iv) the local board supports the proposal to increase the
waste management targeted rate and introduce smaller bin sizes in some areas,
including a charge to swap bin sizes.
v)
the local board supports the proposal
to extend the food scraps targeted rate.
vi)
the local board supports the proposal
to increase the swimming pool inspection targeted rate to better achieve cost
recovery.
4. Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) shares
i)
the local board supports the proposal
to consult on changing the AIAL shareholding policy to permit the sale of
shares.
ii)
The local board supports the proposal
to consult on options of either a partial or the full sale of shares, noting
that the public should have the opportunity to provide their views on this
important strategic asset.
iii) the local board in principle supports a modest sale of
shares that contributes towards the reduction of debt but maintains our
majority shareholding above 10 per cent of all shares.
5. Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL)
i)
the local board supports in principle
the objective of Ports of Auckland to increase their dividend to Auckland
Council during the 2023/2024 financial year by $10 million.
6. Debt
i)
the local board supports the proposal
to consult on increasing debt by up to $100 million, an amount that is
prudent and preserves our reputation with credit rating agencies.
7. Fees and charges
ii)
iii) the local board supports the proposal to establish
standardised baseline fees for services in the Active Communities –
Bookable Spaces portfolio across Auckland.
iv) the local board supports the proposal to establish a new
discount framework for the Active Communities – Bookable Spaces
portfolio across Auckland to include a consistent peak / off-peak discount.
v)
the local board supports the proposal
to establish a new discount framework for the Active Communities –
Bookable Spaces portfolio across Auckland to include a consistent discount
for regular hirers vs. casual hirers.
vi) the local board supports the proposal to establish a new
discount framework across Auckland for the Active Communities –
Bookable Spaces portfolio to include a standardised community outcomes
discount with criteria guided by relevant local boards.
vii) the local board supports the proposal to consult on
increasing fees and charges by a minimum of CPI for regional and local
services.
viii) the local board supports the proposal to consult on
changes to Community Occupancy Guidelines which may result in an assessment
of existing lease arrangements, such as peppercorn rentals.
ix)
note that although an increase in
rental yields may provide some financial benefit, the value of these
arrangements is intended to facilitate service delivery for communities who
would otherwise not be engaged or provided for under different circumstances.
8. Strongly recommend that the budget is considered through
a climate change lens and cuts are only consulted upon if they do not
adversely impact meeting our climate change reduction targets or adaptation
plans.
b)
delegate authority to Deputy Chair G
Moyle, and Member R Northey to present the Waitematā Local Board
feedback on the potential regional consultation topics and policies for the
Annual Budget 2023/2024 at the Governing Body meeting to be held on 15
December 2022
c)
agree to amend
the Waitematā Local Board meeting schedule as follows:
i)
whakaae / approve an
additional meeting on 7 February 2023, commencing at 4.00pm at the Waitemata
Local Board office, 33 Federal Street, to approve local consultation content
for the Annual Budget 2023/2024
ii)
reschedule
the meeting agreed for Tuesday 14 February 2023 to the new date of
Tuesday 21 February 2023, commencing at 1pm at the Waitemata Local Board
office, 33 Federal Street.
CARRIED
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