Bill Faulkner Faulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz

Wow. What a stunner of an election result. No-one saw that coming at City Hall. There was minimal undercurrent detected and folklore had it that one or two would go. I thought maybe up to four; and I wasn't that confident I wouldn't be one of them. With a high profile, and being prepared to make tough decisions, you're always going to be a target – and so it was. Seven sitting councillors routed and the Mayor hanging on by a thread.

The month's happenings
Before I note a snapshot of council's business situation, I'll recap on a month's gap of happenings at City Hall during the silly season of campaigning. The highlight was the Hairy Maclary statue decision being subverted. For a summary of how to backdoor a council decision, go online to the council meeting of February 20, 2012, and start from about 27 minutes in.
Here, you will read Creative Tauranga's proposal and undertakings. They offered to collect $850,000, to design, build, install the statues and provide council a $150,000 maintenance bond. At the time, I commented that was a large and unlikely- to-be-achieved sum of money. The key to council's accepting the Creative Tauranga offer was 'no cost to ratepayers”; and on that basis we approved the resolution. That was the thin end of the wedge – and all that was needed to eventually suck ratepayers into the vortex. Creative Tauranga, which collected about $300,000, said they had the project 'underwritten” and commissioned the work – notwithstanding the statement/promise made that no work would start until they had the whole amount of $850,000. So at the last council meeting, councillor Larry Baldock moved that, seeing that the statues were now built, it would be a shame to leave them in a shed until the funding was in place.

Long-time knowledge
I've been around long enough to know that one: There would be little chance of raising that much money; and two: Once the statues were in place there would be no show.
So, on a vote of 6-5 the 'no cost to ratepayers” passed into oblivion. Ratepayers will forgo the maintenance fund and pay to install the statues. As it happens, I think Hairy Maclary is a good idea – something like the Pania of the Reef statue in Napier – but when you strike a deal, you stick to it. Put it this way, I doubt funding would have been forthcoming through
council's annual plan process.
Another last minute attempt to obtain extra funding for events by Larry failed after an acrimonious debate. Summerfest, the alcohol-and-drug-free youth event, had been run by Creative Tauranga and had lost $17,000 last year. So they separated it to a separate trust, with all but one of the same trustees as Creative Tauranga, then came asking for $43,000 from events funding, which had a $32,000 balance left. But Gate Pa commemoration organisers were seeking $80,000 funding also. In the end, the $32,000 went to Gate Pa and most of that money will be spent purchasing council services. Summerfest is also a worthwhile event, but with limited money available for events and some nagging suspicions about the business model, the proposal failed. The event will still likely go ahead with council ‘in kind' contribution which may include organisational and financial advice.
Now for a snapshot of how I see the ratepayers and council's business position right now. Its position is okay, given the financial downturn. Debt is up there, as I have said many times, but its well managed and designed to maintain levels of service. The debt issue is not as some candidates proposed during the campaign silly season. Steve Morris was on the radio advertising 'an almost half a billion dollar debt that he didn't want to leave to the next generation”. And other campaigners said so too. The real state of the city debt is $388million net debt. Of this, $191.9million is funded by your general rate and the rest is user pays or development contribution funded. And Route K's $61.3million not funded (interest is added on). There are few other ways of funding the city, which is growing, with borrowing being the fair way to ensure all those who will benefit (including the next generation) get to share the cost. Other options include do nothing, or have today's ratepayers fund it now. The irony of this is not lost on me. Because I and others have regularly voted against some of this borrowing as being lower priority than core infrastructure (colloquially known as pipes in the ground) – not big vote winners.

Things done well
This last term, I thought we had done well by addressing the wastewater problems with the Southern Pipeline being 75 per cent funded by development contributions; and adding another $43 million to address the stormwater and flooding problem. Consider the looming spectre of increasing interest rates, as the financial crisis appears to be receding. On the horizon is a $70-$100million water plant at Waiari, to cope with growth. So those who promised debt reduction may be found wanting, unless they cancel projects like these to curb the debt or put rates through the roof. A very sharp reality check is coming after the electoral honeymoon is over. You know – we got rid of those who caused all this and now we'll fix it. Yeah right. So once reality sets in, it will be the 'same old same old” because, apart from 'tinkering around the edges” nothing much can change in ways of debt or rates. A new group of people will be facing the same issues. I see Mayor Stuart Crosby quoted in the New Zealand Herald, saying the handbrakes had been removed. But when on a slippery slope of debt and rates hikes, brakes are essential.
Negotiating a steep hill of the Rena cargo ship grounding crisis, the appointment of four chief executive officers, a major organisational review that turned to custard (completely the responsibility of the CEO of the day) and more serious flooding is to name but a few of the issues we faced. However, there is great hope in the hands of current CEO Garry Poole, who regarded in most circles as one of the most experienced CEOs in the country. Stuart will have his hands full, but with new Mayoral powers he may be able to more firmly direct politically.

Disappointed, but philosophical
Personally, I'm naturally disappointed but philosophical. I've had many supportive calls from all community sectors to commiserate. I truly believe I have made a significant contribution to the wellbeing of the city I love, and was born in. Yes, the costs have been far more than I wanted. But, as I learned from history, the costs of not doing it are greater when they catch up with you.
For the future, Brian at The Weekend Sun has invited me to continue a council commentary, which I'll likely do. Thank you one and all for electing me, tossing me out, re-electing me and so on. And all the feedback (obviously not enough this term). It's a rare privilege being able to contribute to your community through public office. I tried to work hard and smart to help leave this term with the city a better place – given the circumstances we were in.