Kaipara council endorses plans

As one of its final duties, the Kaipara District Council has endorsed its 2010/11 annual report and amended Long Term Plan for review by Audit New Zealand.

Approval was given following a public-excluded meeting last Thursday. The overdue adoption of both plans is expected on Wednesday.

Next month the cash-strapped council, at its own request, is expected to hand over the reins to government-appointed commissioners. Both plans were left to lie on the table on Tuesday pending further discussion with the ministerial review team after questions arose about the council's future financial viability.

At Thursday's meeting Councillor Wayne Linton voted against endorsing the Annual Plan, reaffirming his previous concerns the council did not meet the going concern assumption.

Cr Larsen also voted against endorsing the LTP, saying he did not believe it was financially prudent and that both matters should be dealt with by the commissioners.

Cr Julia Sutherland, who on Tuesday had also expressed ongoing concern, said additional information had satisfied her in favour of endorsement.

Mayor Neil Tiller was given approval to sign a letter of representation which addressed a number of matters including the going concern assumption. Normally such a letter would also be signed by the chief executive, but present CEO, Steve Ruru, who was not employed during the reporting period, felt he was not in a position to provide representation on the issues.

Opposition to the plans include threatened rate strikes. Correspondence from representatives of two citizens' groups and a retired Mangawhai barrister, Clive Boonham, asking the council not to ratify the plan referred to legal ramifications.

Two letters written to the council by the Office of the Auditor-General and the council's appointed auditor, Audit New Zealand, on August 13, were released on Wednesday.

Among other concerns the letters advised the council to be satisfied it was financially viable; had an appropriate and prudent financial strategy; had based its long-term planning decision on the right information; and had the capability to deal with the complex and compounding issues at hand before endorsing the plans.

Following the special meeting Mr Ruru said the majority of the council believed the issues raised in the letters had been resolved or would be resolved.

"The council has always signalled there were areas of policy which needed continued review and this may lead to further amendments," he said.