Former Hamilton mayors speak on 10-year plan

Former Hamilton mayor Margaret Evans at the Mane Event in Hamilton. Photo / Tom Rowland

Hamilton's 10-year plan has brought submitters from all over Hamilton to the council table for the first time, but for two former mayors it was a blast from the past as they submitted their views on the plan.

Mr Braithwaite served as Hamilton mayor from 2001 to 2004, before being defeated by Michael Redman, while Ms Evans was mayor from 1989 to 1998 before retiring.

Mr Braithwaite told councillors that the city's current finances are "a shambles".

"You are saying, council, that you are in a position that you are borrowing money to run the city. That is not correct," Mr Braithwaite said.

"The debt ratio is out of date, and the costs of the council in 2016 were in order."

He referenced the 2016 pre-election report, which city CEO Richard Briggs put together, that said the city finances were in good shape before Mayor Andrew King was elected.

Mr Braithwaite also spoke on projects in the 10-year plan, particularly the Waikato Regional Theatre.

"I don't believe it should be in the southern end of Victoria Street."

"I think Momentum are doing a great job for the city, including the theatre, but perhaps we could get them to join in building a theatre in the Tristram Street area."

The closed Founders Theatre is in Tristram Street.

Ms Evans brought a summary of the views of Hamilton residents in 1994 who were consulted on the city's first long-term plan. She said the themes from the past are still the same.

"I think you'll find if you ask all the people, including those who have submitted, they would say the city has scored a 6/10 which tells me it is time for change," Ms Evans said.

Ms Evans represented arts group TOTI. Their submission was firmly against the proposed 20 per cent rates increase.

"To restore some sense of public credibility while enabling progress, the council should retain the originally proposed 3.8 per cent overall rates increase for the 2018-2019 period, and further review operational and capital expenditure forecasts for the decade ahead, postponing non-contracted capital spending until this review is completed."

They were for an immediate move to capital value, but only if the UAGC charge was knocked off.

"UAGCs are philosophically daft when this council is moving towards a fully implemented capital value rating system. That newer, larger properties will pay more rates under the CV system is precisely the reason for the long-debated and sought-after change from the former land value system, and also addresses the popular view that the 'old city' has been subsidising the new areas in recent years."