SuperCity scores low in business survey – Small Business – NZ Herald News.

No surprises there folks after I posted two commentary pieces recently on similar news. Just last week I ran a commentary piece; “BUSINESSES APPALLED BY NEW AUCKLAND RATES?” on how businesses were appalled at the NEW business rates. I also commented on the recent rooting that the Centre-Left got at state and local government level in Queensland – with a warning to Auckland Council. Well it seems the Herald (haven’t looked at the NBR yet) ran a nice bit this morning on the Super City bumming out in the latest MYOB Business survey.

Auckland Super City has scored the lowest grades of any local government in the country’s main centres, a new survey of business owners reports.

Over 1000 small to medium enterprise business owners were asked in a national survey if they were satisfied or dissatisfied with their local council and regional authorities’ performance in helping their business over the last six months.

The MYOB Business Monitor found 44 per cent of businesses were dissatisfied, compared to a mere 14 per cent who were satisfied.

Auckland’s regional authority rated third from the bottom overall, and the worst of main centres, with 49 per cent dissatisfied with the council’s performance, and only 10 per cent satisfied.

That is much of a surprise as this damn disaster over at Transport Blog with Snapper being the gift that keeps on giving.

I also see on Facebook today, the Mayor of Newmarket – Councillor Cameron Brewer “commenting” on business rates not going down well with businesses and Council being unfriendly towards them as well.

And it seems the attacks are continuing with Michael  Barnett – the head of Auckland Chamber of Commerce issuing a seething broadside against our resident Prude (The Mayor (Len that is not Cameron)) on due process and the public hearing process being all but ignored in regards to public (and business) input to the Draft Long Term Plan.

From Mr Barnett:

What is the Mayor thinking? That the Chamber and many other submitters who made submissions on what the Council has agreed is the most difficult and controversial issue the new Council will grapple with did so just for fun and knowing it was a waste of time and effort?

“For Auckland’s sake, I hope not. Our contributions were made in the spirit and knowledge that the ultimate goal is, as Government has put into the Auckland legislation ‘a single rating system across the region,’ Mr Barnett responded. “I suggest he is abusing that task.”

Well I get that feeling to, especially with that C- grade Auckland Plan and now this Long Term Plan. I hate to think what it’s going to be like Unitary Plan process and the Review of Port of Auckland is going to be like.

So the Super City bums out with businesses on a few fronts here – not looking good for Auckland Council is it? Shall a send that warning again – which would be the tenth time that I have done that. Lets – as one I got one piece of vindication last night when I called something out a little while ago, might get some more HERE now and again in 2013!

Alternatives

Now I have one for Council Finances and Debt – but it was not covering business rates when I submitted to the Long Term Plan. I am going to need to knuckle down and do some homework on business rates before I can draw up an alternative to what we are seeing currently. Least I am knuckling down and doing my homework – as someone wasn’t in the Mayor’s Office.

Just a quick side note, I had asked to speak at the next Auckland Council Strategy and Finance Committee Meeting; expanding on my submission to the LTP as the forum I was in was inadequate to fully air my submission to Councillors. Sadly I can not as I would be breaching Council Standing Orders as noted in red here:

Ben, the Draft LTP is due to be adopted on the 28 June.  We will not be accepting any requests to speak in public input on the draft LTP under standing order (note (ii) in red)

3.21.3              Subjects of public input