Are Auckland Councillors scared of ratepayers?

29 NOVEMBER 2017

Auckland Councillors have voted to prevent ratepayers and members of the public giving their views to councillors at public hearings on the Council’s proposed Long-Term Plan and ten-year budget.

When Auckland Councillors, Greg Sayers and Daniel Newman, put forward an amendment to the Mayor’s proposed consultation plan which would have allowed the public to submit on the Council’s 10-year budget at public hearings, the Council voted the amendment down, by ten votes to nine.

Jo Holmes, Spokesperson for the Auckland Ratepayers Alliance says, “It appears Mayor Phil Goff and his allies on the Council are terrified of being eye-balled by the public. Denying the public the opportunity to have their say on the future of their city – including infrastructure investment, and expected rates rises – simply isn’t democratic.”

“The proposed Long-Term Plan for the period of 2018 to 2028 will shape the financial obligations of Auckland residents for a decade to come."

"Phil Goff would prefer that the people who pay his salary, and fund his vision, sit down and shut up.”

“The idea that workshops run by Council staff and local board dialogue will suffice, is nonsense. Voters should be able to present to the Councillors, at the Council they pay for.”

Councillors who voted to prevent public oral submission to councillors on the Long-Term plan were:
- Mayor Phil Goff
- Ross Clow
- Bill Cashmore
- Efeso Collins
- Linda Cooper
- Chris Darby
- Alf Filipaina
- Richard Hills
- Independent Maori Statutory Board Member David Taipari.

The Ratepayers’ Alliance is encouraging its 16,000 members and other Aucklanders to email the Councillors who voted to block them having a say, and tell them what they think. An email template is available at www.ratepayers.nz/email_council.

ENDS

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