Media Release
KAIPATIKI LOCAL BOARD
16 February 2012

Kaipatiki ticks agreement, challenges figures

In a unanimous decision, the Kaipatiki Local Board approved a draft agreement with the Auckland Council while seeking answers on how funding was allocated for the next financial year, starting July 1 2012.

Serving a community of 86,000 – Auckland’s fifth largest local board area by population – Kaipatiki’s current budget allocation is lowest on a per capita basis, among the 21 local boards.

Traditionally one of the more vocal communities, Kaipatiki is expected to rally in response to the call of its eight-member local board.

At its last meeting, the board endorsed the sentiments expressed in the message of its chair, Lindsay Waugh, which prefaces the Kaipatiki Local Board Agreement 2012-13 and forms part of the council’s Long-term Plan which will be subject to month-long public scrutiny starting in late February.

The chair’s message to its community, extracts below, sets the scene:

The Long-term Plan is, in simple terms, the budget for the next ten years. It is important to note that not all projects can be delivered within the budget allocated by the Governing Body [Council]. Further funding will be required and this has not, to date, been agreed.
While this formal process involves negotiation and compromise, our board will advocate strongly for that which is important to our communities. We acknowledge there is more work to do and look forward to being your voice and making sure that fairness and affordable progress win out.
The board is grateful for the support of its Local Board Services staff, financial advisors and ward councillors [Ann Hartley and George Wood] for helping to get the Local Board Agreement to the present stage, although there’s much work – and community input, including submissions and hearings – still to go to finalise matters.

Mrs Waugh praised board members Kay McIntyre QSM and Dr Grant Gillon for their professional insights and perseverance in pursuing financial information and clarity.

Their combined vigilance highlighted a $6.8m shortfall in capital expenditure to cover the Northcote Centre upgrade project – an error that will be rectified in the next budget draft.

Other projects under close scrutiny with funding uncertain include the Highbury Centre upgrade, including stage two of the Service Lane, and the Beach Haven Civic Square.

The Chair’s Message sums up the board’s plea for community feedback:
It is true that Kaipatiki is blessed with a wonderful natural environment and community facilities which are the envy of many others across Auckland.
These gains have been hard won and are all the more worthy of protection.
As guardians of our land, assets and people, we take seriously our responsibility to safeguard that which we honour and protect.
Shortly we will begin formal consultation and we want to hear from the people of Kaipatiki.

[ends]

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