10.3.2015

The Controller and Auditor-General,Office of the Auditor-General

PO Box 3928 Wellington.

Dear Madam,      Request for Inquiry re Faulted public consultation by Auckland Council.

I seek your assistance for an inquiry into the processes, decision-making and inadequate or nil information provided to the residents and ratepayers of the Auckland Council with regard to the statutory requirement to consult with the public over the proposed 10 Year Financial Plan.

In this connection I am also requesting that you inquire into the waste of ratepayers’ money in the manner in which the copies of the Council booklet (titled: ‘Household Summary. The 10-Year Budget,’) and response sheet which were supposed to be delivered throughout the Auckland region, and what has happened to the (likely many thousands) of these which were not delivered, and thus the waste of rates.

The third matter for enquiry is whether some of the questions in the response form (titled ‘Have your say…’) are impartially and clearly put, or whether they are somewhat skewed and inclined towards a biased outcome – namely Question 2b re paying for the Plan’s transport network.

Furthermore that same question does not suggest any other alternatives to the two main propositions put forward. It implies that there are no other options and that respondents need to choose one of these two propositions.

I believe that is dishonest and misleading.

I make these requests with reference to sections 78 – 85 of the Local Government Act, 2002.

To further clarify this matter for your Office, I advise that I have been in touch with the Mayor’s Office (no response), the Chief Executive’s office (responses to be copied to you) and also made some initial contact with some Councillors at the beginning.

I am also be forwarding to you other material (press reports) on some aspects of these concerns.

Please let me know as soon as convenient whether this inquiry will be considered by your Office or whether further information is required.

Thank you for your assistance.

Attachments: Three news items from North Shore Times: ‘Delivery Issues…’ ‘Loaded Survey…’        Rate rises…

Emails: Four pages showing emails to/from Auckland Council (mainly to C/E)

Copy of Council’s response form for citizens. (Please note especially question 2b)

(NOTE: The attachments are not provided in this post)