Come on Council, What Does This Cost?

Affordable Auckland Waitemata & Gulf candidate Stephen Berry is incredulous at the news Auckland Council is running a pilot program teaching etiquette to skateboarders. The Skate Ambassador scheme works with skater advocacy group Skaters United Voice to promote respectful co-habitation. Stephen Berry asks, “Come on Auckland Council, what the hell does this cost?”

“Nearly 24,000 ratepayers in my ward alone are facing rates increases in excess of 5% this year. Borrowing by the Council will increase by 30% over the next twelve months meaning Council debt will approach $6.8 billion this time next year. Does the Council really think rubbish like teaching skaters manners is more important than the rates burden that awaits our next generation of homeowners?”

Mr. Berry says that if Council keeps borrowing at current levels, by the time voters get their next opportunity to vote out the Council in 2016, the Council’s debt liability will stand at $21122 per ratepayer today. “That figure assumes Council keeps borrowing at current levels. Without Affordable Auckland representatives in the next Council they won’t borrow at the same rate. Borrowing levels each year will increase, just as they have over the last two years.”

“Affordable Auckland is the only ticket saying that Council should just spend on the core basic activities necessary to make the city function. Affordable Auckland is the only ticket that says Auckland Council should run a balanced budget with no borrowing. Affordable Auckland will not waste your money on ludicrous exercises like the Skate Ambassador scheme!”

Affordable Auckland currently has candidates for Auckland Council in Waitemata & Gulf and Franklin wards. More will be announced in the next two weeks.

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