Tag: Auckland Council

Continued Efficiency Savings at the Council

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More Efficiency Savings

 

From Auckland Council:

Amalgamation benefits boost council savings

 

Improved economies of scale from the amalgamation of the eight local authorities have helped Auckland Council maintain services at reduced cost, says a council report on efficiency savings.

Average rates increases have reduced year on year from previously anticipated rises while capital works are nearly double that of the former councils.

Annual operating savings to June 2013 were $131million and are budgeted to be $188million by June 2018.

Savings have come from benefits including:

  • simpler and better information technology
  • better purchasing and tendering processes
  • bringing more work in-house to reduce reliance on external resources
  • reducing the number of office buildings occupied.

 

“The benefits of amalgamation become more evident with each year,” said Councillor Penny Webster, chair of the Finance and Performance Committee.

“We’re running a ruler over everything we do as we manage ratepayers money.  That’s what is expected of us and we are delivering savings while pressing ahead with projects that will make the city a .better place for residents to live in, enjoy, and prosper,” she said.

—-Ends—

 

You can read both the Finance and Performance Committee Agenda, and Addendum Agenda (which contains the motions on disposing of the Civic Building mentioned here: Future Uncertain for Civic Building)

 

 

Future Uncertain for Civic Building

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Shall it stay or shall it go?

 

Questions are being asked on what to do with the Auckland Council Civic Building that currently houses the Councillors, the Deputy Mayor, and support infrastructure (including staff) before they all move to the new complex at the old ASB Tower at 135 Albert Street.

From Auckland Council:

Future of first skyscraper up in the air

 

The future of New Zealand’s first skyscraper, the 100m tall Auckland Council Civic Administration Building, is in the balance. To be vacated by the council later this year for new headquarters at 135 Albert Street, the building has serious structural issues and would require an estimated $70million retrofit to give it a new lease of life. The council has no further identifiable use for the building – designed in the 1950s and opened in 1966 – so it faces possible demolition or refurbishment for other uses, the Finance and Performance Committee heard today.

At the leading edge of building technology when constructed, the building is not listed for protection but two recent assessments suggest it worthy of Category A or B scheduling. Category A listing would limit the type of renovation permitted. 

Refurbishment would have to include removing asbestos installed during construction as a fire retardant.

The committee decided to test the market for investor interest in refurbishment and at the same time request Regional Facilities Auckland, a council controlled organisation, to include the building in a review of possible future uses of the Civic /Aotea Centre precinct.

“Market testing and precinct planning opportunities will allow us to determine the future of the building with a complete picture of options and costs,” said committee chair Councillor Penny Webster. 

Staff will report back before the end of the year.

—-ends—-

 

Personally I say demolish it and either put a plaza there our some other new building to support the Aotea Centre.