New Council may have to confirm previous Council's Annual Report

Veronica from Levin

9 October

It is looking increasingly likely the new Horowhenua District Council will have to vote on the previous year's Annual Report at their first meeting on 30 October.

Since July there has been one "interim" June 2018 to July 2019 Annual Report and three "draft" Annual Reports, varying in digital size from 3.8 MB to 6 MB, presented to the Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee

Yet, three months later, the Annual Report has not been confirmed, and matters are still outstanding with the Audit Office.

There is a growing number of concerns about how the existing Council has conducted its financial affairs, and conflict of interest matters.

In particular the known land and property development interests of deputy mayor - and fourth term Waiopehu Ward candidate Wayne Bishop - and mayoral candidate Bernie Wanden.

There is concern about the growing influence of Cr Bishop, who owns Wayne Bishop Investments Limited, a local multi-million dollar - and expanding - land and property development company.

Cr Wanden would not publicly talk about why his pecuniary interest was not recorded in the official minutes of the 11 September council meeting. Cr Wanden's spouse is a part owner of the land his business is built on in Levin Town Centre.

Mayoral candidate Victoria Kaye Simmons was one of two councillors who authorised the land transfer agreement of land identified as "non-core" by the Council, and sold for a cut rate price to Mrs Wanden, her mother in law and daughter in law. Kere Kere Ward candidate Cr Ross Brannigan also signed it.

The debt levels are also regarded as too high with generations to come being responsible for the spending of today. Potential infrastructure costs could also be an area of extreme concerns. All issues have been canvassed in several public forums as election issues.

Office of the Auditor General guidelines state 30 October is the deadline to confirm the 2018-2019 Annual Report.