Mayor Goff has now met will all his Councillors and has confirmed an updated meeting structure for the new term. We now have 5 main committees of the whole. Three of these were as before, the Governing Body ( chaired by the mayor), the Finance and Performance committee and the Planning committee. Along with these, we now have two new ones, the Environment and Climate Change Committee, looking at environmental and climate change activities and a Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee, focussing on those key portfolios along with homelessness, grants for regional events and working with our six demographic advisory panels.
There are also a number of other committees feeding into the above. Of special mention are two new ones, the Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) Oversight Committee and the Value for Money Committee.
CCO’s control approximately 75% of our business. Legislation allows that. My understanding is that the thinking supporting the legislation, was that independent professional directors would be better placed than politicians to run significant parts of the Council business. Whilst the theory has merit, the practice has seen much of the CCO delivery performed in such a way, that Aucklanders and politicians have no ‘control’ at all. The new CCO Oversight Committee ( which every Councillor will sit on) will set policy relating to CCO governance, have a general overview and insight into their strategy and direction and monitor their performance. To further the input and monitoring of our CCO’s, the mayor has also appointed a Councillor to sit on each of the major CCO’s ( in Auckland Transports case two Councillors) – not as directors, as that would potentially compromise their focus, but as observers with speaking rights.
The Value for Money committee is the second new committee. Whilst this work stream started last term, the mayor was previously unable to get support for this to be an entity of its own ( I think I was the only one who supported him on this) With this work programme realising $270 million of efficiencies in just two years, he now has that. This committee ensures the pro-active assessment of money saving opportunities and considers the cost effectiveness of the governance, funding and delivery across the Auckland Council Group.
One of the few things the mayor can do completely on his own is set the structure and name the chairs of committees. In my case he has asked me to chair the Finance and Performance committee. Feeding into this is the Strategic Procurement committee and the CCO Oversight committee. He has also asked me to chair the Value for Money committee which reports into the mayors committee ( the Governing Body). Adding to that, my new responsibilities include being chair of the Domain committee ( which with the boundary changes now is within the Orakei Ward), being deputy chair of the Ngati Whatua Reserves Board, a member of the CCO Oversight committee, a member of the Town hall Organ Trust, and a member of the other committees of the whole ( Planning, Environment and Climate Change, Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee and of course the Governing Body. It’s a big workload but I’m up for the challenge.
Working alongside Councillors are of course our Local Boards. Unlike Councillor committees, Local Boards choose their own chairs and deputies. I am pleased to announce chairs and deputies for the two local boards that sit within the Orakei Ward. Scott Milne was unanimously voted in as chairman of the Orakei Local Board, supported by Sarah Powrie and Troy Elliot sharing the deputy chair roles over the next three years. For the Waitemata Local Board, Richard Northey was unanimously voted in as chairman, with Kerrin Leoni and Alexandra Bonham as deputy chairs respectively. You are well served with elected members committed to listen to you, your concerns, feedback and deliver improvements in many areas.
Desley Simpson, JP
Councillor for Auckland representing Orakei Ward
AUCKLAND COUNCIL