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Resolution
number FIN/2016/173
The Chairperson put the
substantive motion.
That the Finance and
Performance Committee:
a)
note that the mayoral proposal places
high priority on:
i) achieving
rating stability in the 2017/18 year to restore public confidence in the
council’s financial management and prudence;
ii) commencing
the implementation of a revenue strategy that creates the financial headroom
for the council to accelerate capital investments in transport and housing
infrastructure without recourse to unacceptably high increases in general
rates;
b)
note that rating stability can be achieved by:
i) capping
general rates increases at 2.5 per cent in 2017/18;
ii) increasing
the Uniform Annual General Charge in line with the general rates increase;
iii) pausing
implementation of the Long-term Differential Strategy, which relates to
business and residential rates, for one year;
iv) not making changes to the share of the Interim Transport Levy
(ITL) paid by residential and business ratepayers;
v) seeking other operational revenue streams to minimise the
impact for ratepayers.
c)
agree to recommend to the Governing
Body that the Annual Plan 2017/18 public consultation document include the
following items:
Rating policy
changes
i) the
Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC), including the mayor’s proposal
that the UAGC only increase in line with the general rates increase;
ii) pausing
implementation of the Long-term differential strategy – which relates
to business and residential rates – for one year;
iii) introduction
of a visitor levy (via a targeted rate) to fund visitor related expenditure
of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED);
iv) changes
to the council’s Revenue and Financing Policy which, in turn, will
facilitate future proposals to the Governing Body on the application of
growth infrastructure targeted rates on specific housing developments;
v) the
expansion and establishment of business improvement districts;
vi) waste
management targeted rates;
Other budget
changes
vii) mass
transit network;
viii) introduction
of a Living wage over three years;
ix) homelessness;
Budget changes
for information
x) the
rural fire service, reflecting the anticipated enactment of the Fire and
Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) Bill;
xi) changes
to the implementation of the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan;
xii) Housing
Infrastructure Fund;
xiii) Skypath
implementation;
d)
note that efficiency targets for
council business units and council controlled organisations will be
identified as part of the Annual Budget process.
e)
recommend that the
Environment and Community Committee, in relation to weed management:
i) note that
significant funding reallocations are not within the scope of the Annual Plan
process
ii)
endorse glyphosate
reduction targets within the current budget
iii)
express support for
the continued implementation of the Weed Management Policy
iv)
agree that a
political group be appointed by the Mayor to monitor and review the
implementation of Auckland Council’s Weed Management Policy and
practice
v)
recommend that a
review and consultation of allocated funding take place through the upcoming
Long-term Plan process.
CARRIED
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