At todays Auckland City Council meeting, Citizens and Ratepayers (C&R) councillors rammed through an unheralded proposal to provide for a holding company including a number of unspecified subsidiary companies. These subsidiary companies are proposed potentially to hold and run the Councils marina assets, commercial properties, as yet unspecified council events and carrying out core Council activities through public private partnerships.

City Vision-Labour Councillors unsuccessfully moved an amendment not to proceed with the holding company subsidiaries proposal but it was voted down on party lines.

City Vision-Labour Leader Councillor Richard Northey said, I am appalled to find that C&R still appear to be pursuing last years discredited proposals to establish new structures that could be used to corporatise and potentially privatise the Art Gallery, Councils libraries and community centres, the Princes St Merchant houses, events such as Pasifika, Diwali, the Lantern Festival and the Teddy Bears Picnic, and other council activities most residents consider sacrosanct.

Councillor Graeme Easte said, I recognise that Westhaven Marina has commercial aspects but it is such a vital part of Aucklands freely accessible public playground in the Hauraki Gulf that it is crucial that the public good aspects of the Marina and the adjoining parkland be managed together in the public interest.

Councillor Leila Boyle said, I believe it is completely inappropriate to put key public amenities such as the Auckland Zoo into a holding company subsidiary because of its important environmental, educational and conservation aspects. What company would put these vital aspects first over and above the commercial and economic concerns? This is a very slippery slope that C&R are starting down.

Councillor Glenda Fryer said, It is absolutely paramount that the public of Auckland retains its control over these very important Auckland assets through democratically elected councillors rather than through appointed directors. Councillors also have strict rules to follow regarding public consultation and input which makes them accountable.

Councillor Cathy Casey concluded, In todays economic climate, the corporatisation and privatisation model for delivering key public services and amenities is totally discredited and it is profoundly disappointing to find C&R Councillors springing this proposal on an unsuspecting Auckland.