Waitakere welcomes Social Policy Forum for Auckland

Waitakere City Council has welcomed the announcement that Cabinet has approved the creation of a new Auckland Social Policy Forum to look at the social wellbeing of Auckland, under Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett.

Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse said: “This is great news because it will provide a mechanism to ensure that local government and the wider Auckland community can address and resolve critical social issues with the relevant national government departments.”

“I would like to personally thank the minister for getting this through Cabinet – it’s a win for her and a win for Auckland.”

The forum will comprise the social development minister, the Auckland Council mayor, the heads of relevant Auckland Council committees and local representation.

Ms Bennett said yesterday that the annual social spend by central and local government in Auckland was about $12 billion a year. The forum was part of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance, which found the amount spent on social issues was poorly co-ordinated and lacked a coherent strategy.