96 million really good reasons to vote

Local board budgets

There are 96 million good reasons to vote - the local boards of North Shore and Albany have budgets totalling $96 million in the 2016/17 year.

Ratepayers also pay councillors wages of $106,000, board chairs around $75,000 to $80,000, and board members around $40,000 per annum.

However, Auckland ranked near the bottom for New Zealand’s voter turnout at the last local body election in 2013.

These are the bodies that make decisions about the city, and North Shore local boards have a lot more responsibility than they did under North Shore Council.

The Super City has a Governing Body, comprised of the mayor and 20 ward councillors.

‘‘The local government situation is a lot healthier now’’

Public management researcher Andy Asquith - on Auckland post Super City 2010

The Shore and Albany have four ward councillors - two each.

The Governing Body focuses on big picture issues, such as strategies, compliance and bylaws.

Then, there are 21 local boards, four of which are in the Albany and the North Shore wards.

The council sets their budget in its long-term plan, based on population and land area.

Public management researcher Andy Asquith says, prior to the Super City in 2010, the North Shore’s governance was ‘‘hit and miss’’.

A smaller budget was shared within North Shore City Council, which decided how to spend it over the whole area.

The local government situation is ‘‘a lot healthier now’’, Asquith says.

Now, each local board is allocated its own funding and works with its community to create annual plans.

Most recently, large North Shore projects included Marlborough Park Youth Hall, Birkenhead Pump Track, Albany Stadium Pool and the Albany Community Hub.

Local board funding covers everything from coastal renewals, civic events and community grants to swimming pools, ❚ $27 million - Hibiscus and Bays

❚ $18.5 million - Devonport-Takapuna ❚ $24 million - Kaipatiki

❚ $26.5 million - Upper Harbour

libraries, local parks.

An unscientific poll on Neighbourly found that, of 141 North Shore people, 82 per cent planned to vote in local elections.

In comments, people strongly wanted opportunities to meet with candidates in their communities.

Rachel Randal from Torbay posted that the issues important to her are: 1) affordable, frequent public transport (improved bus services and rail to the Shore); 2) truly affordable housing within the already urbanised area close to public transport and services; 3) conservation of our green spaces, rivers/streams, coastlines and areas beyond the rural-urban boundary, and; 4) resourcing and support for community groups.

There’s also a great deal of concern in numerous posts about council debt, with people blaming inefficient and inappropriate spending. Many say they will vote for candidates promising to hold rates down.

Voting documents will be delivered September 16 for the postal ballot which closes at noon on October 8. The results will be declared on October 13.

Auckland Council is encouraging residents to show their love for Auckland by voting and lifting turnout, electoral officer, Dale Ofsoske says.

❚ Additional reporting Jodi Yeats