Deputy mayoralty for Cashmore
Franklin Ward councillor Bill Cashmore has been named Auckland’s deputy mayor.
Cashmore, in his second term as a councillor, was confirmed as Auckland Mayor Phil Goff’s deputy last week.
Goff said he was delighted to have Cashmore as his deputy.
‘‘He is a respected and experienced councillor and I am looking forward to working with him and all councillors to make a real difference to the lives of Aucklanders.’’
This year, Cashmore was elected unopposed. His local body experience goes back to 1991 when he was elected to the preamalgamation Clevedon Community Board. Cashmore said he expected his role to not change too much.
‘‘I’m still the councillor for Franklin, I take pride in that role and I’m proud to have that role.’’
Continuing to build relationships between central and local government and engaging communities across the Auckland region would be key to the city’s growth, Cashmore said. Franklin Local Board member Andy Baker said Cashmore’s work ethic and commonsense attitude made him wellsuited to the role. However, Baker said he expected Cashmore’s focus to be pulled in different directions.
‘‘I guess the only downside is that it will mean he is going to have less capacity to deal with Franklin related issues which means the local board and in particular the chair is going to have to be absolutely on the ball across all aspects of council and community.’’
National MP for Hunua, Andrew Bayly, said he thought Cashmore would ‘‘do a great job’’ as deputy mayor.
‘‘I can understand why the mayor has chosen him.’’ Cashmore’s prior experience working with central government on Auckland transport projects would prove useful for Goff in Auckland/Wellington negotiations, Bayly said.
Along with appointing key committee and sub-committee chairs, Goff has slashed the number of committees from 19 to nine.
‘‘The new structure will result in five less formal meetings a month, up to 15 fewer reports to be prepared and a 25 per cent saving in staff and councillor’s time,’’ Goff said.
Auckland Council has to do ‘‘more with less’’ and Goff made an election promise to find at least 3 per cent savings on Auckland Council’s budget.