Wellington mayor outlines no-go zones for service cuts

Wellington’s mayor says councilors should try to “share the pain” across the city as they consider scaling back the project following the airport vote.

Almost two weeks ago the council voted to halt the sale of its 34 per cent stake in Wellington Airport.

The sale was part of a long-term plan (LTP) adopted in June.

The council will now go through the process of amending the LTP, which will include consultation with the community and a final vote on the changes in June next year.

Mayor Tory Whānau has warned the council will have to consider spending cuts following the vote.

In a statement released on Monday, whanau said it met with councilors again on Monday afternoon to discuss the amendment process. She said the process would be quick and hoped key elements of the draft amendment would be ready by the end of the year.

Whanau said savings will be a difficult process, and council members discussed what should be the basis for those changes.

“I think every council member agrees that as a top priority, decisions to amend the LTP should not increase rates further and should not reduce water supply funding.

“The focus is on cutting new infrastructure and community building projects because they are financed by debt.”

She said she would also seek to avoid cuts to the council’s spending on social housing and climate change.

Whanau said cutting back on community projects has been difficult.

“When that is taken into account, I believe we should aim to share the pain as much as possible between different areas and between the city center and the suburbs.”

The mayor’s office announced the following dates for the process of amending the long-term plan:

• October 29: Committee paper on process and risks
• November 12-13: Committee workshop on capital program reduction options.
• November 21: A decision to cut the capital expenditure program will be tabled.
• December 11: Approval of the draft budget.
• March 20 – April 20: public consultations.
• June 26: DPC approved.

The announcement came as the city council was under pressure due to government threats to interfere with the council’s work over a recent vote.

An urgent meeting of councilors took place last week, followed by a meeting between whanau and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown on Thursday last week.

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