Does Kaipara Need a Bailout?

Posted by WorkBoot on 17 July 2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: Financial accountability, transparency, public excluded, debt

Ken Dugdale posted a comment today on an important issue, namely who can step up to help our community - see here

While it would be good to have some focus on the affairs of KDC from central government, I am not sure that is going to happen.  Why? The election, other more pressing issues deserving of attention and compassion - Christchurch in particular, and the need to avoid complicating existing issues with Auckland and Northland.

On the debt, I believe we can deal with the debt - if we act openly and promptly.

I have a 10 point plan which I would like to see debated by Council but it seems I am not going to get that opportunity.

Fixing Kaipara is, in my humble opinion as a first term Councillor, not rocket science.

The basics however must include:

1. open, timely and  complete financial reporting
2. respect for representation and common courtesy
3. no more debt, start re-building funds and living within our rate collection

Ken's comment therefore underlines that while it would be nice to think that central government will act, that may not happen and I believe in the meantime it is the Council's duty to do its best rather than hide behind "public excluded" sessions.