The obsession with rates as the measure of Local Government performance, however sensational, focusses on the wrong issue. No one is happy with rises – that’s a given. But the Shand report rightly points out how Local Authorities provide services people expect, have acceptable levels of debt, and in their widening functions do not significantly contribute to rates rises. But Shand also ignores the measure that people understand - the perceived efficiencies where their functions interface with the public.
I doubt you can find a Local politician or senior officer not concerned at rising costs. And we all expect them to continue deliver an increasing range of services and environmental outcomes.
The real challenge is at the mid level of Local Government administration. This is where job role protection, team expansion, process complication and process time extensions provide job insurance. Anyone dealing with Planning or Building consents will have seen it.
Therein lies the real challenge! Talk to any of them and they will persuade you of the importance of their function - but the sum of the parts exceeds the outputs and creates the sad reality of non-performing Councils.
Is there a politician who will take up this challenge?
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