Wellington City Council’s “living wage” badge is a waste of money
The Taxpayers’ Union is questioning why the Wellington City Council pays $4,000 a year to the left wing “Living Wage” campaign.
According to an official information response, the price includes $2,500 in annual accreditation fees, plus $1,500 in administration fees.
The only thing the City Council gets for this spending is a pat on the back from unions on the Left. It’s ratepayer money down the drain and back-door funding of a political group.
Wellington City Council isn’t like a private businesses that needs PR stunts to compete for attention – it already has a captive customer base of ratepayers. If the Council wants to inflate its employees’ wages, it can simply do it. There’s no need to pay for a gold sticker.
The overall plan to implement the Living Wage is expected to cost ratepayers $3.4 million over 10 years.
Paying a group of activists to lobby other councils is wrong. New Mayor Andy Foster should cut this spend.
Here is the full official information response from Wellington City Council:
Dear Mr Houlbrooke,
Thank you for your email dated 27 August 2019 in which you requested information relating to the Accreditations held by the Council and the annual costs associated with those Accreditations.
Further to my decision email dated 24 September 2019, I can now provide you with the information we have collated. Please note: only two of the Council Controlled Organisations hold accreditations. These are provided below.
The Council holds the following Accreditations:
|
New Zealand Immigration (Accredited Employer). |
The accreditation is valid for 2 years and each renewal costs $600 + GST |
|
Living Wage (Living Wage Employer Annual Accreditation). |
Annual accreditation fees are $2,173.91 + GST, and Administration fees of $1,500 (no GST payable) |
|
Building Consent Authority Accreditation. |
(Please Note: Accreditation is a mandatory requirement for the Council in order to receive and process building consents. Accreditation fees are paid every two years) The fees for the period May 2019 to May 2021 are $30,647 + GST |
|
Pool Safe |
Annual fees are $750.00 including GST for each of the Council’s 7 pools. |
|
Food Act Accreditation |
8 Public Health Officers are accredited and renewal is required every three years at a cost of $621.04 + GST ($77.63 per officer) |
Wellington Zoo holds the following Accreditations:
|
Be Accessible |
No annual fees |
|
Qualmark |
Annual fees are $2,248.25 + GST |
|
CarboNZero Certification |
Annual fees are $6,200 +GST |
|
Fair Trade Workplace |
No annual fees |
|
Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia Animal Welfare Accreditation |
Annual fees are $1,363 + GST |
Zealandia holds the following Accreditations:
|
CarboNZero Certification |
Annual renewal fees are $5,582 + GST |
|
Qualmark Gold Award |
Annual fee is $1,181 + GST |
|
Be Accessible |
No annual fees |