Funding has been approved for 19 rural halls in Franklin.
While assigning a total of $198,104, Franklin Local Board has not allocated funding to halls with large cash reserves and reduced it for others with lower but still significant reserves.
Board chair Angela Fulljames says the board resolved in 2020 to base funding on five-year operational plans, taking a phased approach to developing them, with staff working with committees on things like work cost projections and operating costs.
The new funding model works towards achieving equity in annual funding.
“Last year we considered options, supporting a ‘cash in the bank’ limit that results in zero payment for halls with reserves of $50,000, and 69 per cent funding for hall committees with $35,000 reserves.
“We recognise that committees do a great job across our region and salute everyone who volunteers to keep halls at the heart of the community.
“But no two halls are the same, and with the funds we have available, this is about achieving equity across all halls in Franklin. Continuing to fund those that have built up large cash reserves, while others struggle, makes little sense.”
The board has also received five-year plans for Matakawau, Pollok and Glenbrook Beach halls, which helped set the new policy.
Funding for 10 council-owned halls with five-year plans will see Glenbrook War Memorial, Waiau Pa, Matakawau and Pukekohe East receive no funding for the year, while Karaka War Memorial will receive $16,491, Te Toro $10,419, Waipipi, $25,100, Āwhitu Central $24,000, Hūnua $38,000, and Paparimu $21,390.
The nine community-owned halls are at Ararimu $8,426, Buckland $15,000, Glenbrook Beach $7,232, Grahams Beach Settlers $5,008, Mauku $5,724, Pollok $3976, Pukeoware $8427, Puni $3,226 and Ramarama $5,923.
There are 31 rural halls across Franklin, 23 with committees and the rest run by Auckland Council venue hire.
Four are maintained by Council and the other 19 get grants to manage and maintain them, historically based on targeted rates in each area.
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