Could you be it? It is 2015 and Heart of the City are looking for a fresh start after the Swney saga last year (http://hotcity.co.nz/news/Important-Announcement-from-Heart-of-the-City/?pi_newsitemid=543) And with the Downtown … Continue reading Heart of the City Looking for a New CEO
From Mayor Len Brown
Santa is staying. Huge thanks to Mansons TCLM, Sky City and HOTC. Auckland at its best.
More here from Stuff: http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/10654571/Aucklands-Santa-saved-from-retirement?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
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When I saw this Tweet from Bevan last night I thought it was a joke:
The email is accessible by clicking the links inside the Tweet.
But alas this is no joke. Heart of the City has “retired” the iconic Santa this year due to “funding” issues amongst other things.
From Radio New Zealand
Updated 43 minutes ago
Heart of the City says it can not afford the $180,000 costing of putting up Santa and his reindeer on the Queen Street’s Whitcoulls building.
The giant Santa first went up on the Farmers Hobson Street department store in 1960, and after a brief stint in Manukau City, has been an annual fixture in Queen Street.
Listen to more on Morning Report ( 4 min 10 sec )
Chair of the ratepayer-funded agency, Terry Gould, said its five year relationship with Santa has to end.
“Funding from other sources has progressively been withdrawn, leading to much discussion around the boardroom table about spending priorities,” he said.
……
Source and Full Article: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/257567/santa-victim-of-auckland-cost-cutting
The audio can be heard here:
It was speculated last night on how much wider is the financial problems with Heart of the City after they sacked former CEO Alex Swney for tax evasion charges. The timing just does not seem right over the Santa sacking or retirement mess.
However, if Santa is to be retired I do like this suggestion:
@AklCouncil can we have a giant Xmas tree with white lights in Aotea Square? Also one in Manukau and every other metropolitan centre. Ta!
Hope yet folks for a brighter 2014 Christmas
This story gets more bizarre as the story rolls on each new day. We first are made somewhat aware in May when a high-profile Aucklander is granted name suppression on some charges brought by some public authority. Then we see the headlines of former Heart of the City CEO Alex Swney is up on 39 charges of tax evasion brought on by the IRD. Swney as a result has his contract terminated by HotC and the forensic accountants brought in to have a look. I was wondering when Council would react to the situation and hello we have this from Todd Niall of Radio NZ:
Updated 14 minutes ago – Todd Niall
The Auckland Council is moving to protect millions of dollar of ratepayers’ money after the head of the city’s downtown promotion agency was sacked over tax evasion charges.
Listen to more on Morning Report ( 1 min 56 sec )
Mr Swney has denied 39 charges of tax evasion. Inland Revenue alleges tax of almost $1.8 million was unpaid, and a further $1.3 million is owed in penalties and interest. Some charges involve allegedly fictitious invoices.
Firm requirements
Auckland Council chief executive Stephen Town has written a firmly-worded letter, requiring Heart of the City to confirm in writing that it has engaged forensic accountants to go through its books and to give a timeframe for that work and any other investigations.
He also wants details of the agency’s financial position and cash-flows and is seeking clear assurances about its management processes.
Mr Town said it has been told its future could be in question if it does not respond appropriately.
Coincidentally, the latest quarterly installment of $1 million of ratepayers’ money was transferred to Heart of the City the day before the council was notified of Mr Swney’s dismissal.
The council’s letter to the agency underlines its dependence on council support and concludes: “Council will be reviewing this matter formally, including Council’s rights under the Business Improvement District Policy, and Partnering Agreement, and implications for arrangements going forward.
…..
Source and full article: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/256481/financial-scrutiny-of-heart-of-the-city
May I nudge Council to widen the case a little bit more to restore confidence in the ratepayer after this high-profile incident. Call it an insurance policy after this saga as we don’t need any more surprises as other large projects come through the pipeline.
Talking Southern Auckland 