Too late for finance issue?

Press, 10 November 1981, Page 6

Too late for finance issue?

Trying to make Government financial help for local bodies an election issue now might be leaving it too late, but it was better than postponing debate until after the General Election, said the Christchurch City Council’s policy and finance committee yesterday. New Zealand’s three main political parties have beenasked to give their views on a list of questions by a special committee of Municipal Association and Counties’ Association representatives. Answers to the questions will be made public on November 23. Party stands on road funding, a boosting of petroleum tax revenue to local bodies, revenue-sharing, and addi-

■ tional funding for expanding I local body functions are sought by local government leaders. Money from Government grants and contributions had ■ increased “at a pace that : nowhere even reflects the ‘costs of providing the services,” said the committee's chairwoman, Cr Vicki Buck. “I think the group has left its run far too late to bring pressure on the parties," said the Mayor (Mr Hamish Hay). Museum Councillors favoured a new Canterbury Museum funding formula that would do away with annual voluntary payments as a way of bringing museum finances to a realistic level.

Only 11 of 21 Canterbury local bodies paid the voluntary extra amount this year. "There is a distinct tendency not to pay something if it is only voluntary,” said Cr Buck. A higher statutory contribution under the new formula “puts everybody on the same basis.” If the suggested formula had been in effect this year, the City Council would have paid $262,374 as its share of museum financing, compared with $257,640, an amount that includes a $44,018 voluntary extra payment. Councillors said they would be willing to follow the proposed formula on a voluntary basis next year, since no statutory amendment passed in 1982 would

take effect until the 1983-84 rating year. Advance payments Local bodies will now be paid in advance for wages and related expenses of workers employed under Government job schemes. Similar advance payments will also be made to meet bridging finance provided by local bodies for new work trusts. Bonfires City by-laws restricting fires in the open should not be so rigid that they prohibit bonfires on the night of Guy Fawkes Day, councillors said. They suggested a change

in proposed by-laws which ban fires between the hours of sunset and sunrise, to allow such bonfires. Sister signs Signs •'at Christchurch Airport and alongside main approach roads to Christchurch may be erected by the council to show visitors which overseas cities are “sisters” of Christchurch. Local bodies in greater Christchurch would be approached for permission to erect such signs in their areas. The signs would show that Christchurch had Adelaide, Seattle. Kurashiki, and Christchurch, Dorset, as sister cities.