CITY ESTIMATES UNDERSPENT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23915, 6 April 1943, Page 3

CITY ESTIMATES UNDERSPENT

BALANCE IN WORKS ACCOUNT £12,000 AT END OP FEBRUARY Because it has not been possible to provide men and equipment for the maintenance of roads and other works and plant, the works account of the Christchurch City Council showed a big credit balance at the end of the financial year on March 31. The works committee, in reporting this to the City Council last evening, suggested that the balance be carried forward until it became possible to catch up on the arrears of work instead of using the balance to reduce this year’s rates. Up to the end of February the works estimates were about £12,000 underspent. The council adopted the report, and Cr. G. Manning expressed approval of the suggestion to carry forward balances in the works account.

The committee reported that the balance gave an entirely false impression. It existed simply because of the lack of expenditure on proper maintenance. The amount of sealing done was far below what was required to be done every year if the roads were not to deteriorate. Unfortunately £IO,OOO not spent this year meant a much higher expenditure in succeeding years. Apparently during the last war and the five or six years which followed, the roads of Christchurch were starved and it was only in the last few years that the leeway had been caught up. It would be a pity to see the same error repeated. The committee said the same remarks applied to plant. The works department had about 30 trucks, and, assuming that the efficient life was five or six years, then five or six trucks should be bought every year. None, however, had been bought for three years. The general condition was deteriorating and two trucks had already been set aside as fit for use in extreme emergency only. To alleviate transport difficulties a little, the committee had authorised the purchase of two light trucks at a cost of £657, which would mean economy in running.

The committee said the department had been handicapped by the lack of some modern tools, including an air compressor and attendant tools the need for which had not been so great when young, strong men were available. The committee had been able to find a compressor and authority had been given for its purchase. The committee added that it was investigating the whole question of plant necessary for the efficient working of the department.