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Resolution
number UH/2023/3
MOVED by Chairperson A Atkinson, seconded by
Member J Mclean:
That the Upper Harbour Local Board:
a) approve
local consultation document content and local supporting information content
for inclusion in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 consultation material as amended Attachment A and B of the minutes.
b)
express concern
that the proposed reduction of $16 million to local board operational funding
can be sought from both the local boards Locally Driven Initiatives and the
Asset Based Services budgets, both of which directly support our local
services such as environmental restoration and pest control, environmental
education and sediment control, library services and opening hours, community
outcomes and community spaces, sports and recreation groups and youth
development.
c)
note that only a
small portion of Asset Based Services budget is available to be considered
for savings due to existing contractual commitments and the inability to
realise savings for FY24. This means that the proposed reduction will
more likely represent a cut of up to 45% to the local board’s discretionary
budgets.
d)
note our concern
that the proposed wording in each of the consultation documents in reference
to the reductions to local board operational funding and the dollar amount
specific to each local board is very unclear to the general public and does
not adequately reflect the significant local impact that the proposed
reductions will have on the community.
e)
express concern
that in light of the recent unprecedented flooding emergency deferring or
reducing funding on climate action would be seen as irresponsible and not in
our present and future communities interest and inconsistent with Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri
and other council adopted plans and strategies.
f)
investigate the
essential role in the response played by community organisations and question
who will fulfil that role in future emergencies if funding is cut and report
back to the local board.
g)
note that
anticipated cuts to Full Facilities Maintenance Contracts and Arboriculture
Maintenance are proposed to be credited regionally and not locally, meaning
that cuts to local board budgets will potentially be disproportionately
large.
h)
expresses its
concern that the leading nature of the wording in the consultation documents
tacitly implies that the adoption of the budget is a foregone conclusion
which could lead the public to question whether consultation is genuine.
i)
request that the
local consultation document content (Attachment A) be amended to replace the
Introduction section (page 1) with the following wording: “This
year, the council’s proposed response to mitigate the budget pressures
for 2023/2024 includes a proposed reduction of $16 million to local board
operational funding, which is made up of our Locally Driven Initiatives
budget and Asset Based Services budgets. As only a small portion of
Asset Based Services budget is available to be considered for savings due to
existing contractual commitments and the inability to realise savings for
FY24, this means that the proposed reduction will likely represent a cut of
up to 45% to the local board’s discretionary budgets. This will
result in a significant reduction in spending on local services such as
environmental restoration and pest control, environmental education and
sediment control, library services and opening hours, community outcomes and
community spaces, sports and recreation groups and youth development.
The Upper Harbour Local Board would need to reduce its planned operation
spend by $534,000.”
j)
request that the
local consultation document content (Attachment B) be amended to replace the
Introduction section (page 1) with the following wording: “This
year, the council’s proposed response to mitigate the budget pressures
for 2023/2024 includes a proposed reduction of $16 million to local board
operational funding, which is made up of our Locally Driven Initiatives
budget and Asset Based Services budgets. As only a small portion of
Asset Based Services budget is available to be considered for savings due to
existing contractual commitments and the inability to realise savings for
FY24, this means that the proposed reduction will likely represent a cut of
up to 45% to the local board’s discretionary budgets. This will
result in a significant reduction in spending on local services such as
environmental restoration and pest control, environmental education and
sediment control, library services and opening hours, community outcomes and
community spaces, sports and recreation groups and youth development.
The Upper Harbour Local Board would need to reduce its planned operation
spend by $534,000.”
k)
delegate authority
to the local board Chairperson to approve any changes required to finalise
the local consultation document and supporting information content for the
Upper Harbour Local Board for the Annual Budget 2023/2024.
l)
approve the
following Have Your Say event in the local board area during the Annual
Budget 2023/2024 consultation period:
i) Information
stall at Albany community market
Date: Saturday 4
March 2023
Time: 12 –
4pm
Location:
Albany Community Hub, 575 Albany Highway, Albany
m) delegate authority to the local board
Chairperson to approve any changes required to the Have Your Say event.
n)
delegate to the
following elected members and staff the power and responsibility to receive
feedback and hear from the public through “spoken (or New Zealand sign
language) interaction” at the council’s public engagement events
during the consultation period for the Annual Budget 2023/2024:
i) local
board members and Chairperson
ii) General
Manager Local Board Services, Local Area Manager, Local Board Senior Advisor,
Local Board Advisor, Local Board Engagement Advisor
iii) any
additional staff approved by the General Manager Local Board Services or the
Group Chief Financial Officer.
CARRIED
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