66487 (2024). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Local Government

66487 (2024). Celia Wade-Brown to the Minister of Local Government: Does the Minister consider social and cultural places of performance like concert halls, museums, funding for Arts festivals and public gardens as a distraction for Councils?

Hon Simeon Brown: Councils are ultimately responsible for how rates are spent. Nonetheless, my message to councils is very clear: Go line by line and ask whether your spending actually benefits your communities and focuses on fixing fundamental issues first. The core focus of councils needs to be on delivering basics well and providing ratepayers with value for money.