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Resolution number KT/2016/33
MOVED
by Chairperson K McIntyre, seconded by Deputy Chairperson A Hartley:
That the Kaipātiki
Local Board:
a)
approves
the 2016/2017 Locally Driven Initiative budgets by activity, within the
following funding envelopes:
i)
Local
community services - $1,033,000;
ii)
Local
parks, sport and recreation - $135,000;
iii)
Local
environment management - $65,000; and
iv)
Local
planning - $130,000.
b)
agrees
the following key advocacy issues for discussion with the governing body,
noting additional detail is provided in the tabled attachment, amended to
reflect the points below:
i)
Retain
the existing budgets for local Kaipātiki projects as identified in the
Long-term Plan 2015-2025, namely the Kaipātiki Connections Network Plan
and Greenways, Marlborough Park Hall, and general Parks developments.
ii)
Community
houses/centres, arts and culture facilities, sports facilities and other
community assets across the Auckland region should receive an appropriate
level of operational funding to an agreed service level. The current service
standard is inequitable.
iii)
A review
should be undertaken to reinstate some of the level of service changes agreed
through the Long-term Plan 2015-2025, namely the rationalisation of library
hours and change to the method of parks edging from mechanical to chemical
spray, noting that the board continues to top up libraries funding by $13,000
to retain increased library hours, and parks funding by $54,000 to continue
mechanical edging in place of spraying in parks.
iv)
A service
level should be established for parks tracks and included as a scheduled
maintenance item in the appropriate contract(s). These are not currently on
any maintenance schedule.
v)
The Arts,
Community and Events department overhead should not be charged to the board’s
Locally Driven Initiative budget.
vi)
A fair
and consistent service standard with appropriate funding should be
established for artificial/hard playing surfaces, bearing in mind funding
currently allocated to grass playing surfaces across the region.
vii)
The
budget currently allocated to renewals should be increased because it is
inadequate to replace the asset at current building standards.
viii)
A
Community development / partnership fund scheme should be reinstated
sub-regionally throughout Auckland as this scheme has historically provided
the base funding to a large number of significant third party facility
developments.
ix)
In-house
resources need to be made available to relevant departments to provide
adequate funding for feasibility, design, concept work, and consenting to
support all projects.
x)
The Local
Board Transport Capital Fund should be continued, as it is effective to
respond to local issues.
xi)
The local
board supports the Northcote Safe Cycle route as a significant cycling
initiative in Kaipātiki.
xii)
Increased
investment is required for in inner harbour ferry services and ferry fares
should be included as part of a fully integrated public transport fare
system. This will help reduce pressure on bus services.
xiii)
The board
advocates to the governing body to release the former North Shore City
Council – Eskdale Reserve Toilet special reserve, and for the funds to be
reallocated to the development of a new toilet at Rewi Alley Reserve.
c)
provides
the following feedback on the regional financial policy issues:
i)
Uniform
Annual General Charge:
1.
the board
supports no change to the Uniform Annual General Charge for the 2016/2017
Annual Plan year.
2.
retaining
the current Uniform Annual General Charge figure will make it more likely
that the majority of residential ratepayers will face the same percentage
increase for rates.
3.
the board
notes that there was considerable public disquiet at the Long-term plan
communications on rates increases, due to the high levels of variance at the
individual property level from the percentage changes presented in council
wide communications over rates changes.
4.
the board
requests the Governing Body uses figures that accurately reflect the actual
changes faced by most residential ratepayers in any communications on rates
changes.
ii)
Interim
Transport Levy:
1.
the board
supports an increase in the share of the interim business levy being met by
businesses from the current 14.7 percent to 32.7 percent for 2016/17 and 32.3
percent for 2017/18, based on the capital value of the property.
2.
the board
notes businesses have the ability to claim rates, including the interim
transport levy, as expenses for tax purposes.
3.
the board
requests further information on the progress made in encouraging central
government to introduce other funding options for transport in the Auckland
region.
iii)
Rural
rating policy:
1.
the board
does not support changes to the rural rating policy.
d)
recommends
to the Governing Body that $6,000 of 2015/2016 Kaipātiki Local Board
Locally Driven Initiative operational expenditure be deferred.
CARRIED
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