9-6 – city councillors vote not to sell part of the Central Library building
Wellington.Scoop
Wellington city councillors today reversed their decision of two weeks ago, and voted not to sell any floors of the Central Library building.
The vote was 9 to 6. The mayor was one of the six who voted again for part privatisation.
Labour, Greens, progressive independents, and Nicola Young all voted to remove library part-privatisation from the long term plan consultation, https://t.co/hl4IQyBlCW
— ldc 🍉 (@ldcp_) March 4, 2021
The amendment to remove the option of selling floors of the building from consultation documents was tabled by Cr Fleur Fitzsimons, who has the council’s library portfolio.
Thrilled to get privatisation of the Central Library off the table today.
Thanks so much for the overwhelming support from throughout the community and across the political spectrum.
Let’s get on and strengthen our Library building so we can get it open ASAP! #LoveLibraries
— Fleur Fitzsimons (@FleurFitzsimons) March 4, 2021
Privatisation of library ruled out as an option for consultation, thanks @FleurFitzsimons for your leadership on this. pic.twitter.com/uRTzBT9EYa
— Iona Pannett (@IonaPannett) March 4, 2021
In the NZ Herald today, Georgina Campbell reports that the council will have to increase its borrowing in order to cover the full cost of strengthening the Library building.
Shame they didn’t reverse the decision to sell Shelly Bay.
When are we going to get some suggestions from councillors on how to reduce items in the DLTP giving some relief to ratepayers who have to pay for the councillors’ largesse?