Wanganui ratepayers left with bill for Big Braai

Wanganui ratepayers paid $38,000 to ensure this year's Big Braai went ahead - and ratepayers will also pick up part of the tab for the event's $62,000 loss.
The Big Braai was a South African-themed event held in April at Cooks Gardens, featuring New Zealand band Op Shop and South African singer Kurt Warren.
It was a joint effort between Wanganui District Council, Wanganui Events Trust (WET) and the South African Mid Central Association (SAMCA).
At a council meeting this week, council chief executive Kevin Ross told councillors the first Big Braai event, held in 2010, was very successful but returned a loss.
"Despite this loss, in the first year it was considered that the event had the potential to grow, attract a greater local crowd and become an iconic event for Wanganui," Mr Ross said.
Council provided $7500 from its impact fund for the event.
But Mr Ross said ticket sales were very slow leading up to this year's event. Just three days before the Big Braai was due to be held, a meeting was called between council, WET and SAMCA, at which SAMCA told council it was unable to meet its pre-event financial commitments.
SAMCA said $53,000 had been invested in the Big Braai, and would be lost if the event was cancelled.
Council agreed to provide $38,000 to the Big Braai, on the understanding that any financial losses be shared between the three groups.
At this week's council meeting, Councillor Michael Laws asked who had authorised the $38,000 payment.
"I don't recall councillors being asked or informed about this."
Mr Ross confirmed he had authorised the payment. "That money was for deposits that were required for the event to go ahead."
Mr Laws said the event was "great, but badly managed", and noted that its $58 entry price for one adult was too expensive for Wanganui families.
Councillor Rob Vinsen described the Big Braai as "an unmitigated disaster for this council".
"Where will it end? I'm worried there will be more expenses to come."
Councillor Hamish McDouall said he was concerned there was no formal, written agreement between council, WET and SAMCA.
Mr Ross said there was a written agreement, but it was not signed.
Councillor Randhir Dahya moved a motion that the issue of the future of the Big Braai be forwarded to the next finance and strategy committee meeting later this month. The motion was carried unanimously.