Council Adopts 2010/2011 Annual Plan
Thursday, 24 June 2010
At its meeting on 23 June 2010 Council adopted its 2010/2011 Annual Plan – incorporating capital projects, operational work projects and revenue streams, including rates. The document was adopted after a lengthy process which commenced with a series of public meetings in late April in Foxton, Shannon and Levin.
This year Council received 128 submissions to its Draft Annual Plan. The majority of these were with regard to the location of toilets in Shannon. In response to this Council has acknowledged back to those submitters that it does not intend to relocate the existing Ballance Street toilets.
A number of submissions were received on the proposal to increase cemetery fees and charges and in debating this item, Council agreed to step the proposed increases over a three year period. The other item which received a significant number of submissions was in regard to the proposal to introduce a targeted rate for the Foxton Community Board. After a level of debate on this item Council resolved not to proceed with the introduction of this rate.
Council received submissions on a wide range of topics with a number of suggestions to introduce expenditure on items that were not included in the Draft Annual Plan document.
After consideration of these submissions, Council agreed to provide funding for the following:
- $5,000 in parks and reserves to cover Council’s contribution to the BMX track maintenance
- $5,000 from maintenance budgets towards the Petanque pavilion upgrade
- Up to $1,500 from within existing budgets for basketball hoops
- $2,000 from within existing maintenance budgets towards the Manakau Domain Pavilion upgrade
In response to submitters who raised issues on aspects of Council’s Rating Policy, it is acknowledged that a further series of Rating Review discussions around the District take place either later this year or early in 2011 with a view to incorporating any proposed changes to the current policy in the 2011/2012 Draft Annual Plan.
With GST set to rise from 1 October 2010, Council has set its rates exclusive of GST following the lead of most other councils around the country. The increase in GST will also impact on some fees and charges from 1 October 2010 (although in the case of lower level fees such as parking, swimming pools and refuse dumping
charges, Council will absorb GST).
Council extends its thanks to all of the individuals and organisations who engaged in the Draft Annual Plan consultation process either by attending meetings, writing submissions or through contacting staff and elected members with a range of queries. Council has adopted an Annual Plan for 2010/2011 which will provide, further enhancement of our District.