What to consider when voting in September Local Body Elections
1. Voting turnouts in Local Government elections have been very low at around 32-38%
2. Local Government Elections affect decisions made with how our rates are spent
3. These decisions affect our every day lives
4. Whilst the mayor only gets one vote like all the other 20 Councillors, they do get to control who chairs the 13 subcommittees and who are on each of these committees. The Chair controls the Agenda of these committees with an extra $40,000 salary. For example the increase in rates as a subject can exclude the option of ‘no increase’
Some of the more import subcommittees are: Finance and Performance (how money is spent and rate increases); Strategic Procurement (awarding contracts); Environment and Climate Change (includes tree protection); Oversite Council Controlled Organisation; Appointments and Performance Review (whether Councillors on the Boards of CCO). This is where the Mayor’s power lies.
5. It’s early in the campaign and the Mayoral debates have just begun - attend a debate in your area
Auckland Grey Power’s Mayor Debate 10am Friday 23 September Mt Albert War Memorial Hall
6. There are 3 main ‘right leaning candidates’; Wayne Brown, Viv Beck and Craig Lord and one ‘left leaning candidate’ Efeso Collins.
7. Each candidate has their pet projects and platforms. Who they are likely to bring in as Deputy also influences the picture
8. Many believe there is no place for party politics in Local Government
9. Each of the 20 Councillors and the Mayor have voting rights at ‘the table’. The Mayor has the casting vote.
10. None of the mayoral candidates are hedging their bets by also running for Council seat. That seems to be a waste as there is some great energy amongst them that would add to ‘the table’
11. All Councillor candidates have now announced.
12. Councillors are supposed to represent their constituents. But some do not, and have blocked input from their community, other than their supporters. Is your Councillor active in your community?
13. The intended interface with the people, are the Local Boards. Are your Board members active in your community?
14. Never let one political party or faction control the vote of a Board. That means the voice of the people is unheard.
15. The Councillor’s Wards are determined by numbers of citizens (not voters) and the Local Boards are determined by a plan area. These do not align. They were made more complicated at the last election. This makes matters even more complicated for voters, unnecessarily.
16. We, the ratepayer, who pay the wages of elected officials, deserve to be heard, not just in our votes at election time, but through their term in power.
17. Look at each councillor’s track record in how they have voted on the issues that are important to you. And for new candidates, how their policies fit your views. Most have social media pages, find them on Facebook and Google search
18. Don’t vote for a pretty face or a name drop or an ego. Vote on how their vote reflects your view.
19. The primary role of an elected representative is to represent the public to the council – not the other way round.
20. Vote, vote, VOTE!
GAEL BALDOCK
Community advocate