My Account
Auckland Council held a one-on-one drop-in session at the Warkworth Town Hall to get feedback for a review on Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) and residents took their chance to air their gripes.
Council is undertaking a wide-ranging review of its seven Council-Controlled Organisations (CCOs), with the aim of ensuring Aucklanders are getting value for money.
So many turned up to the March 5 meeting that facilitators had to set out chairs and organise people into groups to ensure everyone was heard.
A common theme was that CCOs did not understand the diverse needs of the Rodney District.
Many members of the crowd agreed that Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) was superfluous to the Rodney District and ought not to be paid for in local rates.
However, former Rodney mayor Penny Webster said ATEED had sent junkets to the area to promote tourism.
Rodney Local Board member Tim Holgate said Auckland Transport needed to fund local buses instead of funding them by way of a targeted rate.
Warkworth’s John Blackey said there was a lack of accountability among CCOs.
“Talking to a CCO is like pressing a marshmallow. You push it in and then it returns to the same shape,” Mr Blackey said.
Another complaint was that Panuku Development had too much sway over selling property owned by the council.
The CCO roadshow did not include any venues on the Hibiscus Coast.
The seven CCOs are Auckland Tourism Events Economic Development (ATEED), Auckland Transport (AT), Watercare, Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL), Auckland Council Property Limited (ACPL), Waterfront Auckland, and Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA).
