Clarification sought from sleeping watchdog

“Parents of Monte Cecilia school, local residents and the wider community will be appalled to hear that the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) does not seem to consider expenditure of up to $30 million dollars to have a significant negative impact on the assets and liabilities that are to be transferred to the new Auckland Council” said Labour MP Carol Beaumont.

“Neither does the ATA seem to think that this level of expenditure will significantly constrain the ability of the new Auckland Council to acquire land for open space”, says Carol Beaumont.

“Auckland City Council’s decision to unnecessarily remove Monte Cecilia school from its present location at the Monte Cecilia Park to an alternative site at St John Vianney Church in Hillsborough could cost up to $30 million of ratepayer assets. I’m sure $30 million will be seen as significant by the community.

“In response to my request to review the Auckland City Council decision our supposed watchdog, the ATA, advised me that they have not been asked to confirm the decision but if they are asked they believe that the Auckland City Council’s decisions regarding Monte Cecilia school do not meet the criteria for declining to confirm the decision.

These criteria are that the decision may directly or because of its consequences:

(i) significantly prejudice the reorganisation;

(ii) significantly constrain the powers or capacity of the Auckland Council or any subsidiary of the Auckland Council following reorganisation;

(iii) have a significant negative impact on the assets or liabilities that are transferred to the Auckland Council as a result of the reorganisation.

“Auckland City Councillors Glenda Fryer and Cathy Casey sought a review from the Office of the Auditor General which was declined, the Friends of Monte community group sought a review from the Ombudsman which was declined, now the watch dog set up to manage the transition to the new Auckland City seems to be asleep while Auckland City Council unnecessarily spends significant ratepayer resources.

“I have written to the ATA asking them to clarify their earlier response and to wake up to the actions of Auckland City Council", says Carol Beaumont