Councillors debate use of stadium's Clarke Lounge

Councillors use of the Clarke Lounge at Waikato Stadium was the subject of debate at last week's Strategy and Policy meeting. PHOTO / ASHLEIGH MUIR

Councillors' perks came under scrutiny at last week's Strategy and Policy meeting with one councillor taking aim at the use of the Clarke Lounge at Waikato Stadium.

Cr Andrew King said currently there was no accountability or transparency in the city's bookkeeping to show the actual costs of the privilege, which often came in the form of lost income.

"When there is an All Blacks game on, our corporate box could be leased out for $12,500 for that one test match."

He said that because Council owns the lounge, if the resolution he proposed was passed they would be effectively leasing it from themselves, so no money would change hands, but it would make the costs appear in the relevant budgets, highlighting the hidden costs.

Mr King's resolution proposed that the Clarke Lounge be made available for casual lease at full market rate, with the exception of allowing the Clarke family, Hamilton mayor and Hamilton City Council chief executive one game annually, and that should Council require the lounge for hosting purposes the appropriate cost centre be charged at market rates, following approval of the chief executive.

"These aren't our facilities, we are charged with looking after them. They are the ratepayers' facilities and we should be paying our way and financially supporting sports, art and other events. If access is genuinely required, charge it to the correct council cost centre," Mr King said.

"Why should elected members use the lounge at times when there are no other guests in the lounge, only elected members?"

Tickets from other facilities such as Riverlea, Clarence Street and Meteor theatres were not included in the resolution as the costs were borne by those promoting the shows.

Mr King said sometimes it was appropriate for councillors to represent the city, but in some situations the free tickets had become a perk and councillors were taking advantage at ratepayers' expense.

Speaking in support, Cr Garry Mallett said the biggest cost was foregone income that would be raised by ticket sales on the free market.

"It's about clarity, its not about trying to shut down beneficial interaction with third parties."

Cr Dave Macpherson said times and expectations of councillors had changed but disagreed with the resolution targeting the Clarke Lounge.

Deputy mayor Gordon Chesterman said it would be extraordinary for the council to alter the terms of the gift.

"We need to be careful about a policy that doesn't address the other free tickets that we get invited to. You might as well have a broad policy where you say no to everyone," he said.

Cr Angela O'Leary said it was concerning that the council would be prepared to make a decision without knowing the legal framework and pointed out how concerning it was that the documentation for such an asset could not be found.

"If find it very disrespectful to single out the Clarke Lounge. The Clarke family have contributed a significant amount to sports in our region. What concerns me is that it is proposing a commercial lease of the lounge and that under the information we have been given from the chief executive it is not the intention. That would be disrespectful to those and the original trust that set up the stadium."

Mr King said this wasn't about stopping access to the lounge, but creating accountability.

"The good old days are gone, the freebies are gone the perks are gone. Put it in the ledger. You can still go to your events, just go to the chief executive, put your case forward, they'll give you the ticket, the people who are putting the event on will get paid for the ticket, you will be supporting whatever the event is."

The resolution failed when councillors voted 8 to 5 to accept a rival amendment by Ms O'Leary, retaining the status quo.

Voted for the resolution: Councillors Andrew King, Martin Gallagher, Garry Mallett, Karina Green, Dave MacPherson. Voted against the resolution: Mayor Julie Hardaker, Deputy Mayor Gordon Chesterman and Councillors Margaret Forsyth, Angela O'Leary, Ewan Wilson, Phillip Yeung, Leo Tooman and Rob Pascoe.