Justify spending on staff

I am amused by the Waipa¯ District Council CEO’s attempt to justify Council’s offer to give interest-free loans to staff to purchase E-bikes.

The CEO suggests that it is encouraging staff to stay healthy and cycle to work.

If a select few well-paid council staff need to take up this offer then Council has a big problem: a) Unhealthy staff; b) It sends the wrong message that Council are protecting and serving its own rather than the wider community;

c) Council not being transparent to the community;

d) Diverting funds from key areas to provide Council Staff perks.

If the CEO stopped to think about his statements, he would realise that they are so far removed from the truth.

It’s not healthy riding (not cycling) an E-bike, as the motor does most of the work. It would be cheaper and healthier to use a normal bike.

Council lacks transparency. Which budget is the money coming from that only serves a select few council staff. This was never part of the 10 Year Plan or discretionary funding.

Has money been diverted from the budget to rectify Te Awamutu’s water issues?

The cost to ratepayers is a lot more than what’s disclosed. What about all the lost interest that should be charged.

Again, it would make much more sense to put on a local bus service that’s included in the 10 year Plan that would better service the wider community, this would save more car park spaces and be far more environmentally friendly.

HAYDEN WOODS

(Abridged)