Neighbourhood barbecues on the menu

Community boards have taken little notice of Darryll Park’s idea to cut funding to neighbourhood barbecues in order to decrease rates.

At a major mayoral debate last week, Mr Park said he would need to cut $100 million over three years from the city council budget in order to achieve his fundamental campaign promise of zero rates.

When asked how he would do this he said he would look at cutting community funding, such as neighbourhood barbecues. This sparked a public backlash and was ridiculed by incumbent mayor Lianne Dalziel during the debate.

Since Mr Park made his comments, 79 barbecues have been approved by community boards.

The Papanui-Innes Community Board approved $4000 for barbecues.

John Stringer was the only member of the board to vote against the applications.

Mr Stringer said he favoured Mr Park’s proposal.

“Providing people with a piece of bread and a cold sausage is not core council knitting,” he said.

The Coastal Burwood Community Board approved $2500 of barbecues.

City councillor and board member Glenn Livingstone dismissed Mr Park’s comments as “panicked’’ and said the barbecues were good value for money and a great way of bringing communities together.

The Banks Peninsula Community Board also approved $1250 funding towards barbecues.

Community Board deputy chairman Tyrone Fields labelled Mr Park’s comments as “moronic.”

“The barbecues cost very little and the social outcomes from them massively outweigh the costs,” he said.