President Phil opened the meeting at 7.32.
He reported that there had been a board meeting. It had decided to create a "Transition team" of Henry, Phillippa and Don C plus the president, ex officio to plan the club's move from earning the majority of its 'charity' funds from the golf tournament to identifying other revenue sources and prioritising charity expenditure.
Next meeting: This will start at 4.45pm. Our speaker is currently in Australia so it would be unreasonable to have him make a presentation before only early worms are being caught. Via Zoom, of course.
Barry reported that today he will be meeting the Countdown team to progress the Golf arrangements.
The Speaker was introduced by Sue
Councillor Desley Simpson, has made speeches before! She did the right thing, told us whet she was going to tell us, told us then told us what she'd told us. Perhaps I'm being unfair...perhaps! Any way she clearly has a very solid grasp of the city's finances, (or lack of them at the moment) and a detailed knowledge of her bailiwick of Oraki.
Firstly - Finances and covid: The lockdown is costing Auckland $100 million a day. The council's income had already taken a hit as a result of the earlier lockdowns so it has to increase income (rates up by 5%) and reduce expenditure, reduced staff numbers, selling surplus assets and deferring some projects.
Secondly; Three waters, proposed changes; "I'm against them". The key point is that Auckland already has the best system in the country and if it was tied into Northland Auckland money would be spent up there because their systems need much more upgrading than ours do. One size does not fit all in a country with over seventy different water authorities. However there was a hint that if there was significant local consultation and support for the changes her opposition could be tempered.
Thirdly National Policy Statement. Auckland, and all other local authorities are required to produce a policy statement which will outline how it is going to cope with the requirement for higher density residential development and cope with the effects of global warming, rising sea levels,etc. Once again this a 'One size fits all' Wellington imposed requirement. The council has to respond to Wellington next year; it seems that it will at least oppose the recommendation to allow six story erections in heritage zones, especially in Parnell!
Councillor Simpson then moved onto her Oraki Ward. Significant investment has been authorised to improve the water quality in Hobson Bay and other local beaches. Of particular interest to us was her comment that there will be work to eliminate privet from the Kepa Rd garden areas with the privet mulch being used to grow mushrooms. From her comments she has made herself very familiar with the many issues facing her constituents. (PS There is an election next year!)
In answer to a question Ms Simpson claimed that one of the major problems facing Auckland council (and most other local councils) was that the majority of councillors were elected as 'independents' so to get anything done there had to be many negotiations and compromises to negotiate a majority of ten tro get things done.
A very professional presentation.
Ted closed the meeting at 8.37 as Phil's computer had died, again.
