Transition agency accused of using bullying tactics

The agency designing Auckland's Super City has been accused of "bullying" Franklin ratepayers to give money for the Rugby World Cup.

Franklin chief executive Sally Davis said through a spokesman that the Auckland Transition Agency had told the council to contribute to the cup or its 10-year-plan would not be approved.

Franklin's 65,000 residents strongly opposed making a contribution during public consultation on the plan, but cup funding of $223,487 over three years was added at the eleventh hour.

Franklin Mayor Mark Ball said he had nothing further to add on the matter, but councillor Sue Jackson accused the agency of "bullying tactics".

"What right does the Auckland Transition Agency have to change the will of the ratepayers of Franklin?" she asked.

In a short written statement, the agency said it had not told Franklin it would not approve its plan unless it committed funding to the cup.

"Franklin District Council committed funding in its LTCCP [10-year plan] subject to it being included in the Auckland Council. If it is not included in Auckland, the budget will be deleted from its plan," the statement said.

Franklin council's spokesman said the funding ultimatum was made to Ms Davis at a meeting on the 10-year plan attended by agency chief executive Rodger Kerr-Newell and chief adviser Chris McKenzie.

Under the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act, the agency must confirm councils' 10-year plans. It also has been charged with continuing momentum for the Rugby World Cup.

On June 29, Mr Kerr-Newell wrote a letter to Ms Davis confirming the 10-year plan and noting the draft plan had been amended to provide funding for the cup. "The ATA approves the council's LTCCP on this basis," he said.

The funding issue is the second hiccup at the agency this week. On Tuesday, it was revealed that executive chairman Mark Ford had demoted Mr Kerr-Newell to the position of "senior adviser" and taken on the chief executive role for himself.