Annual Plan Consultation to begin 15 May
Council is to ask the community if it agrees to a smaller rate increase than previously flagged and for a fund to be targeted at community support for a post-COVID-19 restart.
The proposal was debated at the first live-streamed Council meeting on Thursday (30 April) and forms the backbone of the 2020-21 Draft Annual Plan, which goes out for 3 weeks of public consultation, starting 15 May.
The Elected Council considered four different scenarios and looked at the sacrifices and benefits of each option over the short, medium and long term. The options included whether it was better to make no rates increase, which would see future ratepayers facing larger rates increases, or continue with the 4.2% rates increase that had been proposed for year three of our 2018-28 Long Term Plan.
Council decided to seek feedback on a reduced rate increase of 2.2% which will enable Council to continue providing and maintaining the services and assets we use daily.
Mayor Sheryl Mai says we need to factor in how different the global landscape was when the Long Term Plan was established after consultation in 2018, and how everything changed on 25 March.
“When we first prepared our budget and work programme for 2020-2021 the plan was to increase our revenue to continue building the assets our rapidly growing District needs, like roads, water and wastewater systems, and parks and reserves.
“COVID-19 changed that - we see the pain our community is experiencing. People need immediate help, but also assurance that life will go on, and improve after this crisis."
Council is committed to continuing capital works projects to help stimulate local businesses and create jobs as well as seeking potential government funding for projects that are ‘shovel ready’.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.7% Yes
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14.7% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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