20 July 2007

Christchurch 2021 Council Candidate Tony Milne today blasted the Council for allowing and governance/management division to become so blurred that neutral council staff are commenting in the media defending rate increases.

"It is not the role of neutral council staff to judge whether or not rate increases are 'affordable'* and that the people of Christchurch get 'a lot for $24 a week' - that is the role of democratically elected politicians", Tony Milne said.

"It's time for our local politicians to take a basic governance/management course. Why aren't the elected Councillors publicly defending the 7.35% rate increase they approved?" Tony Milne said.

Tony Milne also called for the return to standing committees. "A finance committee and finance chair would provide better oversight and scrutiny of the council budget and a spokesperson on financial matters".

"At the end of the day it is up to elected politicians to provide the leadership to ensure that the governance/management division is clearly maintained to safeguard our local democracy", Tony Milne said.

Contact: Tony Milne on 021 59 32 59
2021 Council candidate for Riccarton Wigram