Local Government and Rates
The huge story in the Sunday Star Times touches on some real issues re councils spending.The crutch of the matter is barely mentioned but could be identified as the main the culprit.The changes made to the local governement act 2002 were an absolute disaster.What was hailed as the Power of General Competence was another term for profligate local government spending. All the do gooders and groups of every hue now demand money of Councils ‘because you can do it’. The poor old ratepayer is getting slogged from all quarters.Those who demand think there is a mystical pot of money that can be accessed for all. Of greatest concern in all this was that the ‘power ‘was bestowed on Regional Councils and the double dipping has grown to alarming proportions.The same ratepayers coughing up to District and City Councils are being duped in to forking out for all and sundry.Sports ,culture and arts should not be within the realm of Regional Council funding. All Councils should stick to their knitting.
