Editorial: Free lunch can bite back

OPINION: Tighten your belt, cut your cloth to fit. Name the recessionary tailoring analogy and it has been applied in these increasingly austere times.

It's surprising then that Environment Waikato (EW), already an easy target for those questioning the value of the upper tier of local government, has been dishing out what amounts to junkets for councillors and staff.

Notable in the accounts unearthed by the Waikato Times was a $6370 stay at Wairakei Resort for councillors and partners in April 2008, a $4900 trip to Chateau Tongariro and another to Taupo which cost $3200. This all adds up to a fair chunk of ratepayers' money on entertainment before we even consider the nearly $7000 for a midwinter Christmas dinner at the Narrows Landing restaurant and a Christmas nosh-up at Vilagrad Winery for councillors, top staff and partners.

Then there's the $1300 Lake Taupo cruise for councillors and iwi. Although EW chairman Mr Buckley said the charter was the most economical way for councillors to inspect foreshore erosion around the lake it's worth wondering how much hydrological inspecting was done after dinner on an autumn night with the boat out until 10pm. Mr Buckley described the trips as money well spent.

"I look at the hours councillors put into the organisation, a lot of that is relationship building between councillors and senior staff."

No-one would argue that local government comes with a stack of work and little recognition.

But ratepayers could expect relationships that contribute to the smooth running of the regional council to develop without the need for expensive social situations being engineered to bring staff and councillors closer together. Hosting visitors, doing business and supplying a yearly get-together for workers does come with a cost.

But few other workplaces have continued their entertainment spending in the same vein as previous years now that jobs have been on the line and pay increases non-existent for the average worker. In this climate cutting back must also be seen to take in those at the top, as MPs have recently learned the hard way.

The Buckley-led council has made massive efforts to trim back costs. Councillor travel, entertainment and accommodation costs are down to $50,871 in the last financial year from $65,744 the previous year.

The rates rise has been held at 2.12 per cent for 2010-2011 but much of this was done through one-off cuts to the early payment discounts and pest control.

These are victories to be noted and deserve credit, along with Mr Buckley's council credit card bill being slashed almost in half. But ratepayers are less likely to notice in a climate when they are getting no relief while their rates continue to fund junkets.

It's something voters may well remember come election time later this year.

- © Fairfax NZ News