Town Hall budget held over

Press, 18 March 1988, Page 24

Town Hall budget held over

Approval of a draft budget for the Christchurch Town' Hall has been held over : until April' by the management board because of concern about a proposed increase in staff. The 1988-89 budget, which reflected recommendations made by a consultant’s report on management and staffing proposed an additional 6V2 staff places. The Town Hall's manager,! Mr Ray Sleeman, said the; facility was being run with less than adequate staffing numbers and poor physical conditions for staff both jn terms of office layout and space.

The stress under which the staff were working had recently affected the health of several individuals. he said. That the Town Hall had continued to run effectively was a result of the dedication of the staff but it would not be possible for staff to work at the same frantic level for another year.l he said. The budget recommended extra full-time staff in theatre and house functions maintenance, catering administration, and a part-time position in personnel training.

Cr Brian Shackel (Waimairi District Coun-

cil) said he was suspicious of the consultants' report as it was not usual for a business to expand its staff without an increase in revenue. “I would like to look at these positions one by one before we make any decisions." he said. Cr Clive Cotton (Christchurch City Council) also expressed reservations about the proposed staffing levels and suggested spreading the appointments over two years instead of one. The chairman. Sir Hamish Hay. said he would hesitate to approve staff levels on. the basis that

positions might not be filled because of the levy imposed on the councils. He recommended that the board hold the budget over until the April meeting to allow investigation of the staffing proposals. The draft budget recommends a 30 per cent increase in the contributions from the local authorities for running costs. An increase of more than 70 per cent was originally calculated but a board sub-committee cut the budget more than 5500,000 to reduce the contribution. The budget also estimates a net profit more

than $76,000 from the new Town Hall-Park Royal Hotel car-park. Mr Sleeman said the estimate included $200,000 for capital expenditure to install the car-park payment system — a one-off expense. The car-park would be a big earner, he said. Mr Sleeman said the Town Hall was running effectively but it was absolutely crucial that the building be well maintained and that the equipment within it was of the highest quality and technically up-to-date if it was to compete with the big international hotels.