Miccio promises to hold the Cheque Book on new spending for 2011/12

If elected, Mayoral Candidate Aldo Miccio promises he will hold the cheque book on any new spending in the 2011/12 financial year, and will re-look at Council priorities. Cr Miccio’s promise is part of his Affordable Council platform, which aims to ensure the Council is strategically and cost effectively run, to ensure rates are affordable.

“It is very clear through Annual Plan public submissions and my face-to-face meetings with ratepayers over the past few months that the biggest issues facing Nelson are our cumulative rates increases,” Miccio says. “If I am elected Mayor, I am not going to ignore this public plea to make rates more affordable.

“Based on my experience as a businessman and a Councillor, I believe increased transparency and accountability around Council processes and reporting can be improved,” he says. “Potential cost savings also need to be thoroughly investigated, so it is not only prudent but also strategic to take a breath in the next financial year to give us time to have a good look under the Council’s bonnet.

“There are many who had hoped that such a shake-up would have happened already, so that more could have been achieved in this term,” he says. “A closer look at the books, a revised reporting system, more detailed cost benefit analyses and improved stakeholder consultation on major projects are key for the city’s future.”

Miccio says that the Council’s rate setting process also needs to be scrutinised.

“The overarching reason for our high rates over the past few years has been the use of a ‘demand-based’ model for the Annual Plans, and in my eyes, it is time to cut our coat according to our cloth,” he says. “I would like to see the Council’s budgets based on ground level inflation and then we can prioritise projects within this budget. The fact that we have not paid back any debt in recent years is also concerning, so an element of debt recovery should be included in the budgets.”

“Removing non-priority work from the Annual Plan would also alleviate pressure on staff who are trying to deliver on the city’s priorities, such as core Council services, getting the city on the radar, and supporting economic growth and job creation.”

Miccio says he plans to meet the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer in his first week of being elected Mayor to develop a fairer financial model with the following four key goals:

1. Preventing the continual rates increases year-after-year 2. Improving Council transparency to better inform councillors and the public, thereby improving the expediency of strategic projects through Council 3. Stop unnecessary policy development that in some cases never gets implemented 4. Allowing the public to vote by referendum on large expenditure

“Our goal should be for Nelson to be a leading New Zealand city that delivers innovative projects it can afford and be proud of in the future,” Miccio says. “The long term goal is to allow us to be more progressive, with the public’s backing.”

“We have a diverse community, including a large retired population, a professional workforce, and a great number of young families, and all of these residents deserve affordable rates and a progressive city through cost effective delivery of Council services and facilities.”

Making it happen:

If I am elected Nelson Mayor then I will meet with the Council’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer in the first week to:

1. Look at delivering a 2011/12 Annual Plan that provides ratepayers with the core Council services and activities already promised, and that removes or shifts to 2012/13 new or non-priority spending.

2. Discuss improving the transparency of the Nelson City Council’s financials and how they are presented to Council and the public. A new financial reporting model will then be presented to Council with the aim of it forming the basis for future reporting.

3. Review the current delegation register to ensure that councillors are able to govern effectively.

4. Stop unnecessary policy development that never gets implemented.

5. Develop criteria for proposed future referendum on large expenditure.

What this means to ratepayers:

• Affordable rates for 2011/12 and beyond

• A fair workload for Council staff so they can deliver the city’s core projects and services, rather than be sidetracked onto non-priority projects

• Greater transparency of Council financials, so the public can make more informed comment about Council spending

• Councillors are able to better deliver to those they represent – you, the ratepayer

• Tighter criteria for the commission of policy development and research, to reduce wasted spending and lack of action

• The Nelson City Council becomes known nationally as a leader in transparent and fair practice, delivering what its ratepayers need while ensuring the city has a progressive and exciting future

ENDS

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