Response to PSA’s Glenn Barclay

May 2016

Glenn Barclay of the Public Service Association claims my plans to reduce the number of staff at Auckland Council is impractical.

I disagree. Auckland Council has increased staff from 9300 to 12000 since it was formed in 2010, yet services have not improved and rates have increased dramatically. Auckland Council currently spends approximately 27% of its budget on staff costs, when historic averages for Local Government in New Zealand is 20%.

This massive increase in staff has come at the expense of Auckland Ratepayers. Ratepayers are hurting with excessive rates rises, and as Mayor I will always take the side of the ratepayers when council spending has got out of hand. We need to consider what the council is doing, whether it is doing it efficiently and whether it should be doing it at all. Instead Mr Barclay is advocating continuing to do everything currently being done needs to be done forever.

As a business owner and a consultant who has helped businesses become more efficient I know a fresh set of eyes can often find efficiencies. I intend to find these efficiencies, and pass on savings to Auckland ratepayers.

It is important to remember that Auckland Council exists to provide services to Aucklanders, not to provide unions highly paid employment opportunities. As Mayor I will put ratepayers ahead of unions, and not be afraid of instituting reviews.

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/auckland/palinos-plans-for-council-efficiency-rejected/

ENDS

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