We all need to remind ourselves that the COVID-19 pandemic has not gone away and that we still need to maintain physical distancing and hand washing and, above all, be kind to each other in order to ensure there is no resurgence in our community.
For the Waitemata Local Board, COVID-19 has meant a lot of work for both board members and board staff. The board office can now be accessed by no more than three at a time, so you should give prior warning if you need to visit. Most of our work and daily activities will still be done from our homes. I am delighted to get back to the YMCA to resume my fitness programmes. I can still be contacted at M: 021 534 546 or richard.northey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and the staff at waitematalocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Our frequent meetings with groups and individuals are happening by Skype, phone, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Our business meetings on 5 and 19 May were held by Skype, where we decided on our local grants to organisations. We may still have to use Skype at our next business meeting on 16 June. We have provision for those contacting us in advance to be able to make virtual deputation or public forum presentations as well as watching and listening to the meetings, which are also recorded. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for how and where we will be holding our business meeting on 16 June.
The Waitemata Local Board members continue to receive messages from locals concerned about the future of the Leys Institute Library and Gymnasium. I and the other board members are strongly opposed to demolishing or selling the buildings. The board made an urgent decision to lease premises for the library at 14 Jervois Road for three years. I was delighted to be present when the Leys Little Library opened, with the same hours as the old Leys had.
Council staff are researching how best to restore these buildings and the services they provided. This is complex work and this complexity, and the COVID-19 lockdown, mean the options for doing this work will not be presented to us until our business meeting on 19 August. We very much hope that these lovely iconic buildings can be restored to their former glory and to public use.
We have been engaging actively with the community about our proposed Local Board Plan. I’d like to thank everyone who shared their vision for Waitemata with us by giving us your feedback, thoughts and ideas; these will help to shape our plan. Next, Aucklanders will be asked to have their say on Auckland Council’s proposed ‘emergency budget’, its response to the financial impacts of COVID-19.
Because the impacts of COVID-19 have reduced council income by $450 million, even with a 3.5% rate rise there could be substantial cuts to the infrastructure projects, maintenance and services to the community provided by the council. Provided these stack up, I believe, as does the Government and most business organisations, that we should maintain our services to keep people in jobs and aid the recovery of businesses whose survival is very much at risk.
We are concerned that cuts may result in the lengthy postponement or cancellation of the Ponsonby Park project at 254 Ponsonby Road and of the restoration of the Leys Institute and in cuts in valued council services like the opening hours of libraries and community centres. There will be a new round of community consultation from 29 May to 19 June and, if you agree with our board members these projects and services should not be cut, you will need to take part and certainly advocate for what you want to retain.
We are very much aware that some people will find it difficult to pay their rates this year. However, council has developed policies for postponement and rebates to help, and people in this situation should not hesitate to contact council to apply for this relief. Council is also providing food parcels and advice for those who have unexpectedly lost their income.
Please ring 0800 22 22 96 if you need this. (RICHARD NORTHEY)
Contact Richard Northey, Chair of the Waitemata Local Board, northeyr@xtra.co.nz, facebook.com/waitemata