Auckland Council will in February 2016 consider its options following reviews into alternative sources of financing. Its Finance and Performance committee met on 19 November and agreed a number of areas to undertake preliminary further investigation.
Council finances in good shape
Councillor Penny Webster, the committee’s chair, said, “Both reviews recognised that the council’s finances are in good shape, reaffirmed by our AA2 credit rating from Moody’s ratings agency last week. And neither review endorsed any particular course of action.”
Planning for a growing city
“They do, however, present options available to us and courses of action to help manage the growth Auckland is experiencing and finance the infrastructure needed to cope with that growth.”
“Taking this to a further workshop in February will not only give us all time to consider the reviews, but also enable a thorough, considered conversation that will provide a platform to review the council’s financing streams and the options available to us.”
Areas for investigation
The committee requested that council employees explore the following areas ahead of February’s workshop:
- extend existing activity investigating operational efficiency gains with other opportunities contained within the reviews including fleet (vehicle) management
- the effect of undertaking all options relating to the council’s share in Auckland International Airport Ltd
- upon receiving the Port Future Study, to further explore all options relating to the Ports of Auckland
- further explore potential partnerships between the council and the private sector to develop and intensify the council’s car parks
- identify and minimise duplicated common back-office functions and operational costs across the council
- review the council group’s commercial buildings
