The KCDC bosses and Councilors should read this—
The 103 suggestions, many of which were provided to the Union by councils and media stories across the country, range from the common-sense to the novel.
Taken together, they serve as a challenge to reimagine undisciplined council spending. Avoiding wasteful spending should not be a cause for celebration, but an expectation.
After a Taxpayers’ Union campaign, rates caps are now Government policy. Councils have to find ways to save money, and this report is a way to get the ball rolling.
Some highlighted suggestions:
- Pay down council debt (#1)
- Installing water meters (#7)
- Leaving social housing to Government (#50)
- Performance based pay (#61)
- Leaving climate reductions to the Emissions Trading Scheme (#103)
Some more novel ideas:
- Ending sister city deals (#2)
- Rental grazing for underused land (#18)
- Phasing out postal billing (#39)
- Move to electronic agendas (#47)
- Offering flu jabs to staff (#79)
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe, in a foreword to the report, said:
“The Taxpayers’ Union’s scrutiny is welcome. It sharpens our focus and keeps public discussion where it belongs: on results for households. I look forward to continuing to work with central and local partners to keep Whanganui moving forward — delivering the basics well, protecting household budgets, and giving permission to dare to dream about the so-called nice to haves which make our communities more liveable.”
Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Rhys Hurley said:
“By sharing examples of councils that have achieved real efficiencies, we hope to encourage the adoption of best practice, reduce wasteful spending, and help restore public confidence in local government.”
The Taxpayers’ Union would like to thank the Councils who responded to the Union’s invitation to submit ideas and examples of how their councils have saved ratepayer money.