21 April 2009

OPEN LETTER:

To Mayor John Banks

Under the urgency and public interest provisions of Auckland City Council Standing Orders, I request speaking rights at the meeting of
Auckland City Council to be held on Thursday 23 April 2009.

My subject matter includes:

1) Auckland Regional Governance:

a) The lack of democracy for the public under the CCO (Council Controlled Organisation) model, under which $28 billion of public
assets (ALL current Council assets) are to be placed.

b)The lack of any form of 'cost-benefit' analysis confirming the 'cost-effectiveness' for the public majority of any CCO.

c) Developments with my request to the Auditor-General for an inquiry under section 18 of the Public Audit Act into the Metrowater CCO model.

d) The formation of a 'giant Metrowater' for the Auckland region with the spreading of 'user-charges' for wastewater services to Manukau, North Shore and Waitakere.

e) The establishment of the www.stopthesupercity.org.nz website.

2) Developments in the fight against corruption and corrupt practices within local government.

The Report of the Local Government and Environment Select Committee into Petition 2008/002, which: "Respectfully requests that the House urgently amend the Local
Government Act 2002, to make it a mandatory requirement to ensure Councils and Council Controlled Organisations are open to public scrutiny by using Annual Reports
to record contracts issued to the private sector for 'goods, services and people' as a means of providing openness and accountability in Council operations; and to help
ensure 'prudent stewardship’ of citizen and ratepayer resources."

3) An update on my complaint to Auckland Central Police for assault at the last Auckland City Council meeting, arising from your denial of my speaking rights, and
triggering my removal out of the Council Chamber and down the steps of the Town Hall, by unidentified security guards.

Yours sincerely,

Penny Bright
Media Spokesperson
Water Pressure Group
Judicially recognised 'Public Watchdog' on Metrowater, water and
Auckland regional governance matters.

Ph (09) 846 9825
021 211 4 127