25/100

Bernard Orsman writes in the Herald:

Just one in four of Mayor Len Brown’s “100 projects in 100 days” are new projects initiated from scratch, according to a Herald analysis.

The mayor yesterday released a list of the 100 projects he promised in his first 100 days, which ticks over on February 8.

Mr Brown, who promised “we will see things really fly” when he began his programme, has acknowledged many projects were already in progress in one way or another.

The Herald has counted 25 projects that appear to have been initiated from scratch by Mr Brown. Of the 25, Mr Brown has made visible progress on five – removing graffiti from the historic Yates Building in Auckland, beginning regular Mayor in the Chair meetings at town centres, rotating council meetings around the region, establishing an Auckland First XV for the Rugby World Cup, and organising a bus tour of the region for councillors.

I think Len Brown has been silly with his 100 projects boast. There was no need to make the claim, and the end result has been that the areas in which he has made good progress, get overshadowed by the inclusion of the dubious stuff on the list.

I don’t think Len has done a bad job to date. Sure a couple of decisions I disagree with, but overall a reasonably solid performance. But if he gets a perception that he is more about the spin, than the substance, it will harm him.

Citizens & Ratepayers co-leader Christine Fletcher said nearly 100 days into the council, councillors and local board members were still waiting to know what the strategic priorities were for the council.

“I hope in the next 100 days, the mayor gives priority to establishing the role of our local boards and to establish what the key priorities of the council are going to be,” she said.

I have to agree with Chris. It would be great to get the role and powers of the local boards finalised – so most decisions can be made locally, not regionally.