Business Central welcomes central region councils
Business Central congratulates the mayors and councillors in the central region who have been elected.
Business Central Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley says her organisation looks forward to working with councils in the
region, which stretches from Wellington up to New Plymouth and Napier and south to Nelson.
“We are keen to work with them where necessary to help achieve business-friendly policies.
“Businesses of all sizes are, along with farming, are the lifeblood of these communities, and if they are robust and
successful, then local economies will be, too. And that means more jobs and more to spend on social issues.
“That’s why it’s essential that councils pursue business-centric policies.”
Business Central believes there are some standard policies that would stand any council in good stead. They include:
Spending - Incoming councils should urgently undertake a review of all spending programmes with a view to finding efficiencies and
reducing the overall council footprint and rates take. Rates could be tightly controlled until this has occurred.
Spending targets should be set so expenditure does not exceed the combined rate of inflation and population growth per
year. Councils must cease activities that fall outside core business.
Rating policy – Councils should adjust rating policies to ensure costs better lie where they fall. Councils must be more transparent in
how their rates are determined.
Economic development – Councils should concentrate on economic infrastructure and reducing barriers to business, and economic development
agencies should have clear key performance indicators and be held to account.
Being business friendly – Councils must work towards developing a business-friendly culture internally. Initiatives must aim to make their towns
and cities easy and appealing places to live and do business.
Asset ownership and trading activities – Councils should look at divesting some of their assets and investments, and reinvesting the proceeds in improved
infrastructure.
Amalgamation – Rationalisation and efficiencies must be explored.
“These policies are not difficult to achieve and would make a huge difference to communities of all sizes.
“Business Central is ready and willing to assist councils with advice on these and other matters, and looks forward to
hearing from them.”
ENDS