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This feed currently contains the following newsitems (total count 32):

    • Have they or haven’t they?
      • (This opinion piece was originally published on Scoop.) by Helene Ritchie There’s something weird going on at the Wellington City Council. It involves consultation on the future of the City...

    • Winter of Discontent
      • Dissatisfaction with the Wellington City Council has hit new highs. The Council has just released the results of its annual survey of residents, which shows just how much discontent there...

    • Announcement from Councillor Ray Chung
      • “Wellington City is in the worst shape it’s ever been – economically, socially, and culturally. “The concerns of ratepayers are not unique to our city. Wellington ratepayers are struggling with...

    • Wellingtonians turn out to oppose LGWM
      • Around 150 concerned Wellington business owners and residents turned out to Prefab Hall in Jessie Street, Te Aro, tonight to voice their concerns and anger at the continued lunacy of Let’s Get Wellington Moving, the extreme costs to ratepayers, and the hidden agenda behind the anti-car ideology that appears to have gripped the city council’s over-paid bureaucrats.

    • Regional amalgamation critical for Wellington’s future
      • A new group in Wellington City has been established to express community support for amalgamating the 9 councils across the Wellington Region.  Better Wellington supports one local authority for the Wellington region. Spokesperson John Shewan says that the amalgamation presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Wellingtonians to come together to create a more resilient, responsive, and competitive region.  “Wellington is the most fantastic city in the world, fullstop,” says Mr Shewan. “But it’s clear to a lot of people that Wellington is dropping off the pace. Having a single council for the region will allow us to speak with one voice to central government, to pool our resources on things like economic development and climate change, and to create world-class infrastructure for the residents.” Group member Sue Elliott says that amalgamation is about coming together to future-proof the region. “This is really about ensuring that 20 to 30 years from now Wellington remains a thriving place capable of retaining talented people and businesses,” says Ms Elliott. “Other cities like Auckland and Christchurch get a lot of government attention. Plus Wellington now has to compete with places like Sydney and Brisbane for young professionals, tourists, and students. So it’s really important that the region sings from the same song sheet to keep us ahead of the game.” Group member Mike Egan says that amalgamation is clearly the best way forward. “When you stand back for a moment and look at the bigger picture, it just makes sense that the 9 councils come together.  All the people I speak to about amalgamation support it, so let’s make it happen.” Better Wellington strongly supports the Local Boards system used in Auckland. “It is the way to go,” says group member Julian Light. “Local Boards would give the residents of Wellington real control over local issues that matter to people including libraries, swimming pools, galleries, museums, environmental initiatives, and heritage protection. Our expectation is that the Local Boards would spend around 25% of the new council’s total rates. It’s really only the big overarching issues that would be dealt with by the main council.” The group encourages Wellingtonians to sign-up as supporters at their website (www.betterwellington.org.nz). Group member Francie Russell says “We need to reinforce our premier brand for culture and entertainment. Now is the time for Wellington people who support change to voice their opinion.  It’s a really critical moment with the Local Government Commission considering all the options. This is an absolute must for the Wellington region but we actually need to make it happen.” Better Wellington 7 May 2014 www.betterwellington.org.nz The members of Better Wellington are John Shewan, Sue Elliot, Julian Light, Francie Russell, Mike Egan, Viv Maidaborn, and Martin Shelton. END OF RELEASE For more information contact Ryan Malone: (021) 205-5149 PDF media release

    • Auckland Council Report: Amalgamation benefits boost council savings
      • Improved economies of scale from the amalgamation of the eight local authorities have helped Auckland Council maintain services at reduced cost, says a council report on efficiency savings. Average rates increases have reduced year on year from previously anticipated rises while capital works are nearly double that of the former councils. Annual operating savings to June 2013 were $131million and are budgeted to be $188million by June 2018. Savings have come from benefits including: - simpler and better information technology – better purchasing and tendering processes – bringing more work in-house to reduce reliance on external resources – reducing the number of office buildings occupied. “The benefits of amalgamation become more evident with each year,” said Councillor Penny Webster, chair of the Finance and Performance Committee. “We’re running a ruler over everything we do as we manage ratepayers money. That’s what is expected of us and we are delivering savings while pressing ahead with projects that will make the city a .better place for residents to live in, enjoy, and prosper,” she said. Read full media release here, and the Auckland Council report here (page 131).

    • Hold up in amalgamation decision delays solutions
      • Hold up in amalgamation decision holds up solutions for Wellington Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce is disappointed that a decision on local body amalgamation for the region has been delayed. Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley said the two-month delay, till June, was not the first delay in the Local Government Commission process. “It’s disappointing because we need to get on with this. “It’s crucial for the region that we know what’s going on so we can get on with taking the region forward. “It’s unclear why there has been another delay. If it’s a matter of the commission’s workload then perhaps its resources need to be looked at. Read full release.

    • Amalgamation Move Delay
      • An amalgamation decision for Wellington has been delayed by two months. The Local Government Commission had been expected to announce its recommendations for feedback next month, but chief executive Donald Riezebos says a decision won’t be made by then. Instead, an update on progress could be expected in June. The three Wairarapa district councils have applied to split from Greater Wellington and form a single unitary authority to look after both district and regional council responsibilities. Meanwhile, Greater Wellington Regional Council has also applied for regional amalgamation of all nine councils into a single region-wide council.

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