There has been plenty of flak recently on the very, very contentious City Partners issue. It's about time someone got to the bottom of the TCC City Partners Scheme which should be renamed TCC Mutual Admiration Society. In theory it could possibly work but having regard to human nature it doesn't – it's a one-way conduit and that never really benefits TCC ratepayers at all.
The figures are ludicrous, most of the inflow coming via TECT Bay Trust Perry Foundation and other similar charitable outfits; Secrecy is rife; Suspicions aroused and public distrust evident; Shuts down criticism both ways, TCC/City Partners.
Current Council stratagem is to demand ridiculously high payments for information (even to media) and TCC thinks that will diffuse public criticism. Wrong, think again! TCC demand for $78 per hour to provide LGOIMA details is obstructive and heads should roll including the City Partners facilitator who cannot readily access financial details.
Strangely, nearly all Councillors it seems support the misconception of so-called ‘benefits' accruing.

R Paterson, Matapihi.