From: Ray Norman
<raynorman7250@bigpond.com>
Date: Saturday, 13 April 2019 at 8:15 pm
To: LCC Contact Us <contactus@launceston.tas.gov.au>, Mayor
<mayor@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Cc: Michael Stretton <Michael.Stretton@launceston.tas.gov.au>,
Anthea Rooney <Anthea.Rooney@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Subject: : QUESTIONS ARISING Shopping in the City survey to cost ratepayers $16,650
QUESTIONS ARISING
- Why
wasn’t this Council decision not made and endorsed after discussion in
open Council?
- Why
was this research opportunity not put out to ‘expressions of
interest’ and/or tender?
- Under
SECTION 65 upon what expert advice was this decision taken?
- Given
the silence thus far, how is the research outcome to be reported and to
whom?
- Within
what timeframe is this project to be carried out?
Ray Norman
This
is an interesting news item and there are many ways to look at it. Dr
Grimmer, a UTas Lecturer, apparently has been
enlisted to undertake the task and she seems well equipped to deliver the
expected outcome.
Just
take a look at her qualifications and research record and you can see her
capabilities right there for all to see –open and transparent.
Presumably this is why the Mayor and Council are comfortable with a decision
going public as a 'decision' after a closed 'workshop
session' – presumably last Thursday's.
In
the light of Council's 2019/2020 Budget currently under consideration and out
in the community seeking 'feedback' that will no doubt
get serious consideration at some future closed session workshop. As for the
money for this particular expenditure, it is now revealed in the budget where
this will come from if you spend any time looking and turning over the 'fiscal
rocks'.
The $16K, almost $17K here,
will no doubt come from the "Development & Marketing Budget"
and/or the "Expert Advice Budget". These budgets
together, given their size and where they sit in the budget, would seem to be
be better described as 'The
Slush Fund' – projected to be almost $5Million 2019/2020.
However,
drawing upon it in this way is pretty innocuous. Indeed, it might well be
regarded as 'bloody good camouflage' given that it can be held up
as credible expenditure. Its, only downside being, that whatever brief 'the
researchers' are to be handed has been haggled out behind closed
doors in a 'workshop in camera'.
Then
comes just a little questioning to do with 'independence' and
consequently just why the opportunity to undertake this research was not put
out to 'expressions of interest and/or tender'. Such a
process would provide a modicum of accountability and transparency.
Once
this was provided via the cut an thrust of an open discourse 'around
the table'. That is now just a faded memory for 'older constituents' apparently
deemed by some Councillors, and management too apparently, somewhat
surprisingly, as being past their use-by-date – or as having too much
time on their hands.
There
was a time when this 'backroom decision making', even
the 'cutting and drying'of decisions, was illegal but it
seems that these days the Minister is prepared to look away. If these meetings
were minuted they would be much less concerning. However, so long as ratepayers
are accepting the lack of transparency, this class of decision making, well,
it'll just keep on going on. That is, despite elected representatives standing
for election on a platform of accountability, no backroom deals, etc. etc.
Dr
Grimmer, is without doubt a credible person and qualified
researcher. On the evidence she has what it takes to be undertaking this
research, but what it, the research, actually involves poses questions.
Dr Grimmer said that the project - Shopping in the City - aims
to examine the reasons why people choose to shop in the city centre of
Launceston, as well as some of the factors that might prevent people from doing
so.
Along
with these concerns there are others to do with the potential for meaningful 'community
engagement'. The latter typically ensures that accountability and
transparency is delivered upon within the bounds of a 'social
licence'. In the end, that lends confidence, acceptance and
trust to research outcomes.
........................
Shopping in the City survey to cost ratepayers $16,650
Tarlia
Jordan
The
study will be completed by retail expert and University of Tasmania marketing
lecturer Dr Louise Grimmer. ............... A
"substantial undertaking" by Dr Grimmer accounts for most of the
$16,650 cost, City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said. ...............
A review of current literature, existing secondary data, a review of the retail
mix in Launceston and a profile of the central business district, Mowbray,
Newstead, and Kings Meadows precincts will be examined. ............... A
survey of all CBD traders by letter drop, including physical delivery and
pick-up from retailers, as well as access through an online portal, and
interviews with stakeholders will be carried out. ............... Cr Albert van
Zetten said a study like this had not been done by the council before.
............... "It is of the utmost importance that we have a sound and
independent evidence base to inform decision making," he said.
............... "This study will provide that evidence base as well as
understanding of the current status of retailing in Launceston's CBD."
............... Cr van Zetten said Dr Grimmer is a nationally recognised expert
in retailing, and her understanding of factors than encourage and hinder retail
in a city, such as Launceston, will be critically important going forward.
............... A public shopper survey is available on the council's Your
Voice Your Launceston website........ https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6042450/shopping-study-to-cost-launceston-ratepayers-16k/?cs=12 ...
