We had a public meeting just over a week ago with guest speaker Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers Union.

The New Plymouth Ratepayers Alliance is one of the Alliance groups which falls under the Taxpayers Union Umbrella.  

Jordan covered a few thoughts on both local government and central government with a very entertaining speech.

A couple of interesting snippets Jordan mentioned about New Plymouth:

• As he drove past letterboxes on his way through town, he thought of the $10,600 debt every single letterbox (property) owed with NPDC debt.
• 1/8^th of the entire rates bill is paid on interest on loans – just the interest. That’s around $24 million a year.
• 6 New Plymouth Council Staff are paid more than a cabinet minister in Wellington.

The link to Jordan’s speech is here:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bERd2FFbS8Q