Parks and Gardens tasked with 10 per cent savings

A 5% reduction in its Parks and Open Spaces budget is part of Hamilton City Council’s drive for $14.5 million operations expenditure savings.

The 5% reduction (equating to $1.1 million), as part of a report into Parks and Open Spaces levels of service was endorsed by Council during today’s 10-Year Plan meeting. Council voted 5 to 4 to request staff examine the feasibility of a further 5% cost saving, and report back with their findings.

Changes to the level of service recommended by staff include reduction of the maintenance of trees in the city, as well as less planting, less frequent emptying of rubbish bins and ending the Gully Restoration Programme.

Staff also recommended gradually increasing fees and charges for the use of city parks in 2014 and 2015, a move which would increase revenue by an estimated $45,000.

Council also voted to reduce its funding of the YMCA over the next two years, initially by $20,000 in 2012-2013 financial year, then by a further $40,000 in 2013-2014 financial year, with Council’s service agreement with the organisation up for renewal in 2013.

“Today this Council signalled that it is prepared to go further than the staff recommendations in order to deliver expenditure savings” Mayor Julie Hardaker says