Old Bed fellows C&R and Banks in Bed with the Council Beaurocrats

Mayoral Candidate Lisa Prager is extremely concerned that John Banks agrees with Auckland City Council CEO David Rankin’s and Citizens & Ratepayers (C&R) leader David Hay the plan to remove elected representatives from all consent hearings and replace them with “ independent ” commissioners.

“How is this in keeping with more open, transparent and democratically accountable local government?” asked Ms Prager

Parliament has just slammed Auckland City Council (ACC) concluding that “in future the council should ensure that the public is better informed and that it’s decision making process is transparent ” and strongly advised the council to reconsider the charitable payments from Metrowater to the council of $324 million over the next ten years.

“Parliament has finally called ACC to account for misleading the public, abusing due process and acting in secret” said Ms Prager, “but it seems they are still not listening.”

David Rankin's call for less public representation on major decision making issues is another example of why, “in my considered opinion, he is not suitable to run the largest public service organisation in Auckland. Council officers are there to serve the public - not the other way round. The tail must stop wagging the dog.”

Auckland City council officers have still failed to provide information requested by mayoral candidate Lisa Prager, weeks ago under an Official Information Request on the cost of contracting-out of council services. “Excuses are flowing thick and fast, but the only excuse is that the council officers will be embarrassed by the overwhelming size of uncontrolled council spending” said Ms Prager.

ACC officers appear to not know, understand or care about Local Government legislation which is supposed to protect the public interest.

Threatening Ostend resident Russell Conder with bankruptcy for a month old overdue rate request of $354.00 is not an option lawfully available to councils under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002
“It was a shock for me,” says Mr. Condor “It would be harassment for an elderly person. To threaten bankruptcy is nothing short of bully tactics. It’s so heavy handed, it’s incredible.” (see The Waiheke Week, front page September 27-October 3)

“While ACC unlawfully threaten bankruptcy to enforce payment of rates, they are not providing key information which would show the public exactly where our hard-earned money is going.

Removing elected members from the consenting process will allow more cowboy-developers to ride rough shod over the public interest.
Remember Soho Square, Ponsonby!

It is high time for a major shakeup at Auckland City Council.”

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