The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance says proposals to cut 63 roles at Wellington City Council are a necessary step to rein in the back-office bloat, but they don’t go far enough.

Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance Spokesman, James Ross, said:

“Wellington Council’s wage bill has exploded 40 percent is just five years, and the number of salaries over $200,000 has jumped from 17 to 39. A little trim off the top isn’t going to cut it.”

“Half of the 63 roles on the line are already vacant. Ratepayers will only believe Council is serious about savings when it tackles its own ballooning layers of management and waste.”

“Rates have increased 47 percent in just three years, and even then core services are falling apart. Ratepayers need a lean council focussed on getting the basics right, not more six-figure executives finding inventive new ways to waste money.”

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