Effective Social Policy Forum essential to Auckland’s future, says North Shore City Council

If it is to be successful, Auckland’s proposed Social Policy Forum must be well resourced, with a broad membership of top decision-makers - and it should have strong links with the community right across the region, says the North Shore City Council.

Mayor Andrew Williams says that the forum offers a unique opportunity to pull together all the sectors involved in tackling Auckland’s pressing social problems, and help ensure that the current $12B in social issues funding is spent fairly and effectively.

“With the development of the supercity, and the proposed reforms to the Local Government Act, the emphasis has been on financial accountability and sharp business practices.

“We need to ensure that alongside these reforms, we don’t forget all the things that make our society inclusive and humane.”

Mayor Williams says that unless the forum is put together with careful consideration at the highest level, it will be yet another toothless talkfest.

“If we don’t make the best use of this one opportunity to address the causes of social problems such as child poverty and social inequality in Auckland, we could well see crime, drug abuse and violence become growing problems in the region.

The council’s submission draws attention to the risks of not successfully tackling these issues:

“Those who experience poverty and its related effects are likely to impose costs on health, welfare and criminal justice systems, and are less likely to be making positive productive or economic contributions…”

Mayor Williams says that the total population of Auckland is projected to grow to 2 million by 2036 [i].

“Unless the social factors that create wider social and economic problems are addressed, we can only expect them to increase as the city’s population grows,” he says.

“Our submission emphasises the need to have all the parties involved in social policy working together on social issues - while ensuring that the needs of the residents of greater Auckland are clearly understood.

“There should be an equal partnership between the Auckland Council, central government and the community.”

The forum is proposed by Minister of Social development Paula Bennett, and feedback on its future function and shape closes today.

Mayor Williams says that the North Shore City Council feedback focuses on three main issues - how the forum will be put together, what it will do, and its relationships with local communities and with relevant organisations.

“The forum will need membership at the highest level - government Ministers or associate ministers - and its advisory group should include the chief executives of ministries and other relevant agencies,” he says. It should also maintain close links with the community it serves.

‘Resourcing is also vital. We have recommended that the forum has its own dedicated expert staff, working under the umbrella of the new Auckland Council.”

Minister Paula Bennett has said that the forum will be chaired by the Minister of Social Development, and will include the Mayor of the new Auckland Council and the chairs of relevant council committees. Local boards will also be represented in some way.

Auckland Social Policy Forum discussion document
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Auckland%20Social%20Policy%20Forum%20Discussion%20Document%20%20(PDF).pdf

ENDS

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