Media statement from the Independent Peninsula Group.
10 October, 2005
City council can't manage its own affairs
The recent disclosure of improper processes by the Christchurch City Council gives a further warning to Banks Peninsula
residents should their affairs become controlled from Christchurch, according to David Tranter of the Independent
Peninsula Group.
With Garry Moore's apology for $800,000 being used on "unauthorised renovations of the civic buildings" (Press, 14
October) the city council's credibility to manage an additional district has taken a further dive, following as it does
on repeated expressions of dissatisfaction from rural ratepayers over the city's approach to their affairs, particularly
over higher rates for inadequate services.
The seriousness of this matter is further emphasised by Garry Moore's admission in the Press that "the auditor-general's
letter raised serious concerns over the way the council made decisions and implied the council was breaching proper
process at almost every meeting". Whatever the problems that might face small district councils one of their huge
advantages is that the district's elected representatives can be removed from office at the next election whereas under
the proposed abolition agenda peninsula ratepayers will be powerless to remove the councillors who act against their
interests as must inevitably happen when the city already has more than it can cope with now.
Support for the independent peninsula campaign is growing with a further $700 in donations promised in the last 24 hours
Mr. Tranter said. The latest donation pledge was from a caller who owns property in the city and on the peninsula and
who referred to his being "bulldozed by the city council".
ENDS
Contact; David Tranter,
Independent Peninsula Group spokesman,
ph. 03 3295131
email; davidtranter@clear.net.nz