Budget relief buys time for Ōtara-Papatoetoe, but pressures remain

Temporary budget relief from Auckland Council’s Governing Body has covered a $1.4 million shortfall facing the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.

The financial boost will help the Board avoid some tough decisions this year - such as library cuts and fee hikes - but elected member Apulu Reece Autagavaia says cost pressures are expected to return.

Speaking at the Papatoetoe Community Network meeting on Thursday, Apulu said the board had been facing a financial squeeze heading into this year’s budget discussions.

“We actually had a $1.4 million cost pressure hole. Fortunately, the mayor and councillors have agreed to fill that in for this year,” he said.

He said the intervention meant the board did not have to consider “things like closing down our libraries, raising the fees to go into the pools and so forth.”

However, Apulu said the relief applies only to this year.

Community members and providers at the Papatoetoe Community Network meeting. Photo/PMN News/Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata

“But next year, again, we're going to be in the same predicament where the cost pressures are still mounting, but we don't have the levers to increase our revenue to offset that,” he said.

Local boards do not have the power to set rates independently and rely on funding allocated by Auckland Council’s Governing Body through the annual budget process.

Apulu encouraged residents to participate in that process.

“If you love our libraries, then let's ensure that our libraries are staying open. If you want to have free pools, tell us that, and then we'll make sure that that's prioritised in our budget,” he said.

At the same meeting, organisers said local board funding for the Papatoetoe Community Network is secured only until June, adding that the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board has supported the network for the past 15 to 20 years.

“We have funding until June… after June we don't know what's going to happen,” attendees were told.

Library books at an Auckland Council library, one of the services spared from cuts this year. Photo/Auckland Council

Organisers said the network is open to being hosted by local community providers able to offer venue space, with a small koha and light catering provided.

Residents will have an opportunity to provide feedback as part of Auckland Council’s annual budget consultation.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.