I refer to my previous letter to the editor of 19-11-2010, other letters to the editor in the last month or so have questioned the excess spending of TCC. There are a few obvious reasons come to mind for this, some examples are: -
1. Power provided to Council (paid by ratepayers 'bottomless” cheque book) has not been tendered out? In fact the previous Council voted not to upon advice from Council staff that 'we must” give it to the 'City Partner” suppler. The current supplier therefore remains unchallenged on price potentially costing millions to ratepayers.
2. Annual city road maintenance – there were a number of bids received ranging from about $760,000 to $1.1 million.
The contract was awarded to the highest bidder at around $1.1m (41% higher than the next bidder) as recommended by Council staff. The successful bidder just happened to be a City Partner, two other bidders were not. The Council staff justified the decision based on their internal assessment process of tenders received, then stated that 'they are City Partners … we have to give it to them”.
3. Arataki Community Centre – A design and build contract approved of by Councillors and given to a City Partner that was known to be about $500,000 over priced compared to other suppliers (already reported in the paper).
4. Southern sewerage pipeline – Lakes developer Grasshopper are correct in disputing the Council 'imposed” fees and more for some 1500 sections (directly add to section cost to families). The pipeline is out of date and expensive, why do they ignore that? MS Senior letter of 17/12/2010 is absolutely correct to call this a 'Faulkner ½ a billion dollar lemon”. How many City Partners will feed off that one for the next 3-4 years?
Council should produce the tape recordings of these meetings for the public to hear what really happened to approve these contracts and payments.
Ian Stevenson, Tauranga.
TCC responds:
As usual the allegations this correspondent makes are incorrect. Mr Stevenson is however welcome to appear in front of the Council in a public forum to present his case if he wishes to. Note: recordings of Council meetings and decisions are already available on line.