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Franklin Local
Board
05 May 2020
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Franklin
Local Board decisions and input into the Annual Budget 2020/2021
File No.: CP2020/04950
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
seek approval for local financial matters for the local board agreement
2020/2021, which need to be considered by the Governing Body in the Annual
Budget 2020/2021 process.
2. To
seek feedback on the proposed regional topics in the Annual Budget 2020/2021.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
3. Our
Annual Budget contains 21 local board agreements which are the responsibility
of local boards to agree with the governing body. These agreements set out
local funding priorities, budgets, levels of service and performance measures.
4. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 21 February to 22 March
2020 to seek community views on the proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 and local board priorities to be included in the local board
agreements (Consultation part 1).
5. Since
this consultation was undertaken, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted significant
pressure on the council’s financial position, which will have flow on
effects for the proposed budget for the 2020/2021 financial year. The council
is now considering what those impacts are likely to be, and plan to ask
Aucklanders for their views on certain aspects of Auckland Council’s
proposed ‘emergency budget’ in response to the financial impacts of
COVID-19 (Consultation part 2).
6. Local
boards are required to receive the feedback on the proposals in consultation
part 1 which are not affected by the changes being considered by the council
and therefore will not be subject to further consultation and make decisions on
them. This must be done before consultation part 2 can get underway, so the
scope of consultation part 2 is clear.
7. The council received feedback on the Annual Budget topics and on
priorities proposed for the local board agreement in person, at community
engagement events, through written forms including online and hard copy forms,
emails and letters.
8. 96 submissions were received on Franklin local board priorities for
2020/2021. The majority of submitters either support most (52%) or support all
(34%) of the local board’s priorities.
9. 131 submissions from public within the Franklin Local Board are were
received on the regional proposals in the Annual Budget 2020/2021.
Feedback on regional proposals from submitters from the Franklin local board
was as follows;
i. 73%
submitters support the waste management targeted rate.
ii. 69%
support the changes to refuse collection in former Auckland City and Manukau
City.
iii. 69%
support the Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted rate.
iv. six submissions were received on the
voluntary financial assistance scheme for Clevedon. Five were in support
of the proposal.
10. Two submitters gave feedback on the draft Tūpuna Maunga o
Tamaki Makaurau Authority – Operational Plan 2020/2021, opposing the
removal of exotic trees from Maunga.
11. A Council-Controlled Organisations (CCO) Review occurred
at the same time. The feedback received on this will be presented at a later
date.
12. This report summarises consultation feedback on the
Annual Budget 2020/2021, including on local board priorities for 2020/2021 and
seeks local board views on regional Annual Budget topics.
13. Local board views on these regional matters will be
considered by the Governing Body (or relevant committee) before making final
decisions on the Annual Budget.
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Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Franklin Local Board:
a) receive consultation feedback on the Franklin Local Board priorities for 2020/2021.
b) receive consultation feedback on regional proposals in the Annual
Budget 2020/2021 from people or organisations based in the Franklin Local Board area.
c) recommend the following local targeted rate proposals to the
Governing Body based on local views gained through the February-March 2020
Annual Plan public consultation process:
i. changes
as proposed to the waste management targeted rate
ii. changes
as proposed to refuse collection in former Auckland City and Manukau City.
iii. changes
as proposed to the Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted rate.
iv. implementation
as proposed of the voluntary financial assistance scheme for Clevedon.
d) recommend that the Governing Body approves any proposed Locally
Driven Initiative (LDI) capital projects, which are outside local
boards’ allocated decision-making responsibility.
e) provide
feedback on the Annual Budget 2020/2021.
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Horopaki
Context
14. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 21 February to 22 March
2020 to seek community views on the proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 and local board priorities to be included in the local board
agreements. This is now referred to as consultation part 1.
15. Since
this consultation was undertaken, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted significant
pressure on the council’s financial position, which will have flow on
effects for the proposed budget for the 2020/2021 financial year. Work to date
on the proposed Annual Budget will need to be adjusted to consider the new
financial realities facing Auckland.
16. The
financial report presented to the Emergency Committee during April 2020
indicated potential reductions in cash revenue of $350-650m for the financial
year 2020/2021, depending on the length and extent of the disruption caused by
COVID-19. The Emergency Committee requested staff to provide further
information to the Governing Body on the impacts of the various scenarios
modelled against a rates increase of between 0 per cent and 3.5 per cent. They
also resolved that further public consultation on the Annual Budget would
include considering whether to adopt a 2.5 per cent rather than 3.5 per cent
general rates increase for the 2020/2021 financial year, among a suite of other measures aimed at
offering support to all ratepayers, including businesses, facing hardship due
to the impacts of COVID-19.
17. The
council is planning to ask Aucklanders for their views on certain aspects of
Auckland Council’s proposed ‘emergency budget’ in response to
the financial impacts of COVID-19. It is anticipated this will be carried out
from late May until mid-June 2020. This will be in addition to the Annual
Budget 2020/2021 consultation we have already carried out from February to
March 2020. This is referred to as consultation part 2.
18. Consultation
part 2 is unlikely to revisit any of the specific proposals in consultation
part 1. Therefore, the local boards and the Governing Body are required to
receive the feedback on these proposals and make decisions on them. This must
be done before consultation part 2 can get underway so it is clear what
decisions have already been made, and what decisions will be made after
consultation part 2.
19. Further,
some of the proposed changes to fees and charges required a Special
Consultative Procedure (SCP) and the requirements for this were met in
consultation part 1. It is important to complete this statutory process,
especially where consultation part 2 will not be relevant to the decisions on
these fees and charges.
20. This report includes analysis of the consultation feedback on the Franklin Local Board priorities for 2020/2021, and on the regional proposals
in the Annual Budget 2020/2021 from people or organisations based in the Franklin local board area.
Local financial matters for the local
board agreement
21. This
report allows the local board to agree its input and recommend other local
financial matters to the Governing Body in May 2020. This is to allow time for
the Governing Body to consider these items in the Annual Budget process.
Local targeted rate and Business Improvement District
(BID) targeted rate proposals
22. Local boards are required to endorse any new local targeted rate
proposals or BID targeted rate proposals in their local board area (noting that
any new local targeted rates and/or BIDs must have been consulted on before
they can be implemented).
Funding for Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI)
23. Local
boards are allocated funding annually to spend on local projects or programmes
that are important to their communities. Local boards can approve LDI capital
projects up to $1 million, projects over that amount require approval from the
Governing Body.
24. Local
boards can recommend to the Governing Body to convert LDI operational funding
to capital expenditure for 2020/2021 if there is a specific need to do so.
Governing Body approval may be needed for the release of local board specific
reserve funds, which are funds being held by the council for a specific
purpose.
Local board input on regional plans
25. Local
boards have a statutory responsibility for identifying and communicating the
interests and preferences of the people in their local board area in relation
to the context of the strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws of Auckland
Council. This report provides an opportunity for the local board to provide
input on the proposed Annual Budget.
26. Local Board
Plans reflect community priorities and preferences and are key documents that
guide both the development of local board agreements and input into regional
plans.
Council-controlled organisation (CCO)
review
27. An
independent panel was appointed by Auckland Council to examine three areas: (1)
the CCO model, roles and responsibilities, (2) the accountability of CCOs, and
(3) CCO culture. Local boards had the opportunity to provide input into this in
March 2020.
28. Auckland
Council also consulted on the review of CCOs during the same period as the
Annual Budget, from 21 February to 22 March 2020.
29. After
receiving feedback, the panel will report on key issues, community and
stakeholder feedback to council in May 2020.
30. The panel
will provide a final report and recommendations to the council in July 2020.
Types of feedback
31. Overall
Auckland Council received feedback from 4765 people in the consultation period.
This feedback was received through:
· Written
feedback – 3314 hard copy and online forms, emails and letters
· In
person – through 58 Have Your Say events.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
32. The Franklin Local Board consulted on the following priorities:
i. support for the Hūnua
Trail as a platform for local economic development and eco-tourism, and
cultural celebration
ii. collaborating
with Panuku to design the future of Pukekohe through Kia Puāwai a
Pukekohe (Unlock Pukekohe)
iii. continued
advocacy for an enhanced multi-sport facility at Karaka Sports Park
iv. delivering
on the Waiuku Trails Aspirational Plan
v. providing
grants for a range of community generated initiatives that deliver to board
priorities
vi. support
for zero waste initiatives in Beachlands and Waiuku
vii. supporting
environmental protection initiatives e.g. Pest Free Franklin and local river
restoration initiatives
viii. delivering
the Sunkist Bay Reserve seawall renewal and coastal edge enhancements
ix. delivering
on the Pukekohe paths plan, specifically the Prospect Terrace walkway section.
Feedback
33. The Franklin Local Board held one Have Your Say event which was a
hearing style session held in the Franklin Local Board Chambers, 82 Manukau
Road on 17 March 2020.
34. 96 submissions were received on Franklin Local Board priorities for
2020/2021, showing that the majority of people either support most (52%) or
support all (34%) of the local board’s priorities.
35. Key themes across all feedback received (through written, in person
and social media channels) were:
· support
(4) and opposition (1) for continued advocacy for an enhanced multi-sport
facility at Karaka Sports Park
· suggestions
to do more and put more budget towards protecting the environment in general,
including enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality, with specific
mention of the Manukau Harbour, Turanga Creek and Mangemangeroa estuary
· support
for community involvement in environmental projects including funding for
riparian planting and fencing, community gardens, more funding for Waicare
projects and Enviroschools
· support
for continued investment in the development of the Hūnua Trail as a local
economic development initiative, and requests to focus on benefits for wider
Pohutukawa Coast
· support
for ongoing allocation of resource in the development of the trails and paths
network, with a request to accelerate planning for connection of trails across
the Franklin Local Board area, including staff support for a community-led
trails project in Whitford
· commentary
on a lack of community spaces in the Franklin local board area for medium sized
groups (20-30 people).
36. Other feedback received included:
· request
that council concentrate on core services (4)
· concerns
about development, including lack of associated infrastructure, narrow roads in
subdivisions, poorly maintained and narrow rural roads servicing new
subdivisions
· request
that Council protect rural land
· concerns
about maintenance, safety and capacity of the roads in Franklin, with specific
mention of Whitford Rd and the Whitford Landfill intersection
· requests
to improve access to public transport e.g. frequency of services
· community
groups seeking support to achieve their goals
· request for the local board to develop a Low Carbon
Action Plan
· request for an upgrade of Clevedon Hall
· request for a reticulated water supply for Whitford
village and easier long-term access to water mains for water tankers servicing
Beachlands
· request for community pools in Bombay and Waiuku (and a
sports complex)
· request for improvements to playgrounds, including a
junior road safety park at Possum Bourne Reserve, Pukekohe.
· request for more/better toilet facilities in rural
parks/areas including Clevedon
· request for support for Pukekohe Performing Arts to
locate portable buildings on the reserve adjacent to their venue, for the
purpose of storing costumes
· continued collaboration with Franklin Family Support.
Requests for local funding
37. Requests for local funding or investment included:
i. funding
of the Beachlands Trolley Derby, now run by the Rotary Club of Pohutukawa Coast
ii. continued
funding for Maraetai Coastguard
iii. investment
in pedestrian access between Jutland Rd and the new Tamaoho School, requested
by Board of Trustees of Tamaoho School
iv. investment
in a permanent fence between Pukekohe Skatepark and Franklin Amateur Radio Club
v. investment
on the development of a Clevedon Community Heart Plan including a holistic
assessment of Council assets, traffic calming, village parking, playground
renewals.
vi. investment
in a footpath connection between Clevedon Village edge on Mountain Rd and
Clevedon Showgrounds
vii. investment
in support infrastructure and promotion of the Hūnua Trail
viii. investment
in community led upgrade of tracks in the Ada Platts Mills Reserve
ix. investment
in actions to address water quality issues in Big Bay.
Information on submitters
38. The tables and graphs below indicate what demographic categories
people identified with. This information only relates to those submitters who
provided demographic information.
39. 
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Age
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Male
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Female
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Gender
Diverse
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< 15
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0
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0
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0
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15-24
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1
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0
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0
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25-34
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1
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5
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0
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35-44
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4
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10
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0
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45-54
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13
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17
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0
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55-64
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8
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16
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0
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65-74
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9
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6
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0
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75 +
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5
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2
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0
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Total
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41
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56
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0
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Ethnicity
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#
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%
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European
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91
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93%
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Pakeha/NZ European
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82
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84%
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Other European
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9
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9%
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Maori
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7
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7%
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Pacific
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1
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1%
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Samoan
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0
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0%
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|
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Tongan
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0
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0%
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Other Pacific
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1
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1%
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Asian
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5
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5%
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Chinese
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3
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3%
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Indian
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0
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0%
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Other Asian
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2
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2%
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African/Middle
Eastern/Latin
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1
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1%
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Other
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1
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1%
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Total people
providing ethnicity
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98
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108%
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Overview of Franklin Local Board area
feedback on the Annual Budget
40. The proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 sets out our priorities and how
we're going to pay for them. The regional consultation on the proposed Annual
Budget focused on changes to rates and fees, the key proposals were:
· waste
management targeted rate
· refuse
collection in former Auckland City and Manukau City
· Waitākere
rural sewerage service and targeted rate.
41. The submissions received from the Franklin Local Board area on these
key issues are summarised below, along with an overview of any other areas of
feedback on regional proposals with a local impact.
Waste management targeted rate
42. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to increase the waste
management targeted rate.
Question
1: Waste management targeted rate
The
cost of responsibly dealing with our kerbside recycling (paper, cardboard and
plastics) has increased due to international market conditions.
To pay
for this we propose to charge only those who use the service by increasing the
targeted rate by $19.97 a year or $0.38 a week (the total cost changing from
$121.06 to $141.03 incl. GST).
If we
do not do this, we would have to fund the shortfall by increasing general rates
for all ratepayers, including those who don’t get a kerbside collection
service.
43. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from the Franklin
Local Board area.
44. Submitters who did not support the proposal suggested it would
better to include cost of recycling in the general rate, and that the costs of
recycling should be met by producers of packaging.
Refuse collection in former Auckland City and Manukau
City
45. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to increase the refuse
collection in former Auckland City and Manukau City targeted rate.
Question
2: Refuse collection in former Auckland City and Manukau City
In the
old Auckland City and Manukau City Council areas, households pay for rubbish
through a targeted rate. In other parts of the city, residents pay for their
collection via Pay As You Throw. The targeted rate for the Auckland City and
Manukau City Council areas no longer meets the cost of collection.
To
cover this extra cost we propose increasing the targeted rate in these areas by
$14.23 a year or $0.27 a week for a 120 litre bin (the total cost changing from
$129.93 to $144.16 incl. GST), and an additional $6.68 a year or $0.13 a week
for a large 240 litre bin (the total cost changing from $191 to $211.91 incl.
GST).
If we
do not do this, we would have to increase general rates for all ratepayers,
including those living outside these two areas who would subsidise residents of
old Auckland and Manukau cities.
46. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from the Franklin
Local Board area.
47. Submitters not in support this this proposal supported a pay as you
throw approach based on actual use, with concern that households that produce a
small amount of waste pay the same as large producers. Submitters also
were concerned about fly tipping in South Auckland and the effectiveness of the
current inorganic system, with a suggestion for subsidies to use refuse
transfer stations. Submitters also suggested there should be the same
refuse collection services and charges across the whole of Auckland.
Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted
rate
48. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to increase the
Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted rate.
Question
3: Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted rate
Last
year we consulted on removing the septic tank pumpout service funded by a
targeted rate. While feedback indicated a willingness to go ahead with the
removal of this service in the Henderson-Massey and Upper Harbour local board
areas, residents of the Waitākere Ranges local board area said they wanted
to keep the service. The cost of delivering this service is higher than the
current targeted rate of $198.43.
Our
proposal, for those in the Waitākere Ranges local board area who want the
service, is to recover the full cost by increasing the targeted rate to between
$260 and $320 a year (incl. GST). This increase would apply from July 2021.
If we
do not do this, the council could end the service, or continue to subsidise the
cost of the service to septic tank users in the Waitākere Ranges local
board area from all general ratepayers, including those who don’t use the
service.
49. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from the Franklin
Local Board area.
50. Submitters from Franklin in general supported a user pays approach,
however were also concerned about consistency across Auckland and the cost of
administering the system. Others mentioned the environmental benefits of
ensuring septic tanks are emptied regularly and removing the targeted rate
might result in homeowners not servicing their tanks.
Feedback on the voluntary financial assistance scheme for Clevedon
51. Aucklanders were asked what is important to them and if they had any
feedback on any other issues. This could include the key topics of how we
charge for pool fencing inspections, and adjusting our fees and charges, and
includes the proposed voluntary financial assistance scheme to support
residents in Clevedon to connect to the new water and wastewater networks.
52. A total of six submissions (including one from Rodney) were received
on the voluntary financial assistance scheme for
Clevedon. Five were in support of the proposal, with one submitter
suggesting that it should be compulsory to join the new water and wastewater
network in order to ensure water quality improvements.
Feedback on the draft Tūpuna Maunga o Tamaki
Makaurau Authority – Operational Plan 2020/2021
53. Two pieces of feedback were received from the Franklin Local Board
area on the draft Tūpuna Maunga o Tamaki Makaurau Authority –
Operational Plan 2020/2021. Both opposed the removal of exotic trees from
Maunga.
Feedback on other regional proposals with a local
impact
54. Feedback was received from the Franklin Local Board area on other
regional proposals
55. The graph below shows the areas covered by this feedback
.
56. One submitter opposed the proposed marine farming charges.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
57. The
decisions recommended in this report are procedural in nature. New targeted
rates and the release of reserve funds will not have any climate impacts
themselves.
58. Some of
the proposed projects these would fund may have climate impacts. The climate
impacts of any projects Auckland Council chooses to progress with as a result
of this, will be assessed as part of the relevant reporting requirements.
59. Some of
the proposed projects these would fund will be specifically designed to
mitigate climate impact, build resilience to climate impacts,
and restore the natural environment.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
60. The Annual Budget is an Auckland Council Group document and
will include budgets at a consolidated group level. Consultation items
and updates to budgets to reflect decisions and new information may include
items from across the group.
Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe
me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
61. Local board decisions and feedback are being sought in this report.
Local boards have a statutory role in providing local board feedback on
regional plans.
62. Local boards play an important role in the development of the Annual
Budget. Local board agreements form part of the Annual Budget. Local board
nominees have also attended Finance and Performance Committee workshops on the
Annual Budget.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
63. Many local board decisions are of importance to and impact on
Māori. Local board agreements and the Annual Budget are important tools
that enable and can demonstrate council’s responsiveness to Māori.
64. Local board plans, which were developed in 2017 through engagement
with the community including Māori, form the basis of local priorities. There is a need to continue to build
relationships between local boards and iwi, and the wider Māori community.
65. The analysis included submissions made by mana whenua and the wider
Māori community who have interests in the rohe / local board area.
66. Ongoing conversations between local boards and Māori will
assist to understand each other’s priorities and issues. This in turn can
influence and encourage Māori participation in council’s
decision-making processes.
67. Some of
the proposed projects these would fund may have impacts on Māori. The
impacts on Māori of any projects Auckland Council chooses to progress with
as a result of this, will be assessed as part of the relevant reporting
requirements.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
68. This
report is seeking local board decisions on financial matters in local board
agreements that need to then be considered by the Governing Body.
69. Local
boards are also providing input to regional plans. There is information in the
consultation material for each plan with the financial implications of
different options.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
70. Local
boards are required to make recommendations on these local financial matters
for the Annual Budget by 15 May 2020, to enable the Governing Body to make
decisions on them when considering the Annual Budget in May.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
71. Local
boards will approve their local board agreements and corresponding work
programmes.
72. Recommendations and feedback from local boards will be provided to
the relevant governing body committees for consideration during decision making
at the Governing Body meeting.
73. The dates of these meetings are yet to be determined as the impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown are taken into account.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Authors
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Lucy Stallworthy - Local Board Engagement Advisor
Orrin Kapua - Local Board Advisor - Franklin
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Authorisers
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Carol McKenzie-Rex - Relationship Manager for Franklin
and Howick Local Boards
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