Do you suport or oppose long term leases of water services?
Joseph
Candidate Answers
Candidate
Answer
I personaly dont support the privatisation of public assets unlike the current council including Stan and Vince.
\\r\\nThe real policy impact of private finance initiatives is quite simple – they are creative accounting exercises that disguise a massive transfer of wealth to private consortia that receive guaranteed returns with minimal accountability. The private finance model reduces public services to a purely commercial venture that is detatched from their social purpose.
\\r\\nI have not seen any evidence that shows the private sector can deliver services more effeciently.
\\r\\nIn light comments by our Mayor and CEO our current council (Vince included) wants to dispose of our infrastructure assets, and does not have faith in his council skills to manage these assets.
\\r\\nMayor Stan Semenoff and CEO Mark Simspon appeared in person on behalf of the WDC before the Auckland Governance committee on 23 July 2009 where they stated
\\r\\n“Something you must get right for the good of the whole country is to separate infrastructure from baby kissing mayors and councilors…..Let local councils or community boards look after libraries, swimming pools, parks and planning. Mayors and councilors can look after those things, but in most cases they don’t have qualifications for managing infrastructure assets.”
\\r\\nIt was very hard to locate this document, I finally found it the KDC minutes...how open is our council?
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Sorry this question does need more clarification...
Do you mean do I support or oppose the sale of the water services? My answer is I oppose, the supply of water to a district should be controlled by the local Council.
Do you mean do I support or oppose leasing the water supply to businesses? My answer is I oppose, all water should be supplied at a standard rate so that all are treated equal. There should be no special rates for heavy users, as the construction costs and maintenance costs will be the same for all.
Do you mean do I support of oppose the bulk sale of water to a business out of our local rivers? My answer again is I oppose. If a local council puts in a water supply for a community then all must pay the same rate no matter if your are a business or a private user (It is all coming from the same source). If the business puts the connection into the river to get water supply, this must follow a process of resource consents with the Regional Council, and the Regional Council must consult with Iwi and community before an application can be granted.
I hope I have answered your question, but if not please re-clarify your question again.
I do not believe in privatisation of our Water Supplies and think it is in the far greater interests of the community to keep it in community hands. As for contracting out the water services, I believe that as with any outsourcing, a social and economic benefit analysis must be undertaken and the interests of the Whangarei District must hold the tipping power.
Joseph.
More information needs to be available to answer this question in a truly informed manner. eg. would need to see a prposed aggreement or lease to understand all conditions.
A long term lease must also be beneficial and fair to all ratepayers in the confines of a secure contract.
I understand if the water lease is for a business venture it is only fair that a long term lease is available for the business owner to make long term development plans and decisions.
If the question is in relation to the privatisation of water services; I am against privatisation and believe ownership should remain as public assets. In my opinion the forming of partnerships of essential services is a cop out for both accountability and the responsibility of council.
