CCC Asset Sales: What’s in the new “draft” LTP budget?

I would like to invite you to hear Raf Manji, Deputy Chair CCC Strategy and Finance speak on this topic and answer questions onMonday 15 June 2015, 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm WEA, 59 Gloucester St, Christchurch

Background:

Last month, nearly 50 people attended a public meeting organised by the Fabiain Society and others to listen to Peter Harris and Dick Werry, the authors of the paper Tale of Two Networks. This paper showed how the cost of delivering electricity in Wellington has increased by nearly 300% since the lines company was privatised in the early 1990s; meanwhile, the cost of delivering water which was retained in Council ownership, increased by only 17.5%. Those present agreed to meet again before Council makes its final decisions in late June.

Recently, the Mayor released a revised draft budget that has only been reported in the paper – see here. The Mayor was invited to attend this meeting to explain the changes, but had a previous appointment. Raf Manji, Deputy Chair of Strategy and Finance will be attending in her stead.

The purpose of the meeting is for Raf Manji to explain the changes in the draft CCC budget relating to asset sales. He has also been asked to consider addressing the topics of

• why the road of privatisation the Council is planning is different from the 1980s, and provide reassurance that this is not another round of private profit taking that will be achieved by squeezing wages, lowering standards and/or raising prices to those who can afford this least

• outline what will be happening post 1 July and the approach to consultation and participation

• what is happening internally to increase effectiveness, responsiveness and democracy, and eliminate waste, inefficiencies and the "nice to haves".

Those present will have the opportunity to speak after the Q&A. Please circulate this notice widely and send it on to anyone else you think may be interested.

ENDS

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