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Resolution number HW/2014/44
MOVED by Member L Schwaner, seconded by Member RD Wichman:
That the Howick Local Board:
a) Notes that council has moved towards a single rating
system resulting in the region being rated on an equal basis. However,
equity in asset and service provision has not yet been addressed.
b) Notes that the current local board budgets are a cut of
legacy council budgets and have not been built to reflect the role of local
boards envisaged in legislation.
c) Supports the 20 February 2014 Finance and Performance
Committee resolution directing staff to consider service level equity issues
for local asset based services as part of the development of the Long Term
Plan and asset management plans and engage with local boards on this and
report back on a timetable.
d) Endorses the process and timelines for the Local Boards
Funding Policy, provided that the work on service level equity issues is
progressed in parallel to the local boards funding policy and the work
programme is agreed with the local boards.
e) Requests that a work programme including a staging of
the key deliverables, with prioritised asset classes and service levels for
review be presented to the Local Boards Funding Policy Political Working
Party on 6 May 2014.
f) Recommends that clarity on the treatment of both the
Waiheke and Great Barrier local boards, and understanding the implications
for the other local boards is required prior to the adoption of the policy.
g) Notes that each of the general rate reallocation
scenarios (scenarios A, B and F) will lead to funding increases and decreases
across the local boards.
h) Recommends that general rate allocation scenarios are
developed that minimise the change in funding for each local board by
increasing the total allocation of funds for locally driven initiatives, and
to ensure that no local board receives any reduction in funding.
i) Supports a local rate to enhance service levels above
an agreed standard service level, once standard service levels are
established.
j) Recommends that:
i) asset based service levels are funded by
the general rate.
ii) locally driven initiatives are funded via
the general rate as local initiatives are core council activities, essential
to cohesive communities and Auckland being the world’s most liveable city.
k) Agrees that with respect to the allocation methodology
for locally driven initiatives under general rate funding, that population
should be the main factor, as population tends to be a key driver of the
demand for services as well as the following:
i) that a weighting for deprivation should
also be applied, as areas of deprivation have characteristics that may
indicate a greater dependency on local services
ii) that a weighting for geographic isolation
should also be applied
iii) that rates collected should also be
applied.
l) Forwards these resolutions to the Local Boards Funding
Policy Political Working Party and the Finance and Performance Committee for
their consideration.
m) delegates the Chair and Deputy Chair authority to
forward any amendments or additional resolutions to the Political Working
Party.
CARRIED
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