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Papakura Local
Board
08 July 2020
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Papakura
Local Board input into the Emergency Budget 2020/2021
File No.: CP2020/09106
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
seek feedback on the proposed regional topics in the Emergency Budget 2020/2021.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. Auckland
Council publicly consulted from 29 May to 19 June 2020 to seek community views
on the proposed Emergency Budget 2020/2021.
3. The Annual Budget 2020/2021 was first consulted on in February/March
2020 (Consultation part 1). Since this consultation was undertaken, the
COVID-19 pandemic has exerted significant pressure on the council’s
financial position. This will have flow on effects for the proposed budget for
the 2020/2021 financial year. The council has considered what those impacts are
likely to be and have asked Aucklanders for their views on aspects of the
proposed budget, now referred to as Emergency Budget 2020/2021, through a
second round of consultation (Consultation part 2).
4. During the second round of consultation, Aucklanders were asked for
their views on three key proposals:
· general rates
increase for 2020/2021 of either 2.5 per cent or 3.5 per cent
· rates postponement
for ratepayers impacted by COVID-19
· suspending the
targeted rate paid by accommodation providers.
5. The
council received feedback through telephone interviews, written forms,
including online and hard copy forms, emails and letters.
6. This
report summarises the public feedback received through Consultation part 2 on
the proposed Emergency Budget 2020/2021.
7. Local board views on these regional matters will be
considered by the Governing Body (or relevant committee) before making final
decisions on the Emergency Budget 2020/2021.
8. Out
of the 34,915 submissions received on the regional proposals in the Emergency
Budget 2020/2021, 890 submissions were from people living in the Papakura local
board area.
9. In relation the general rates increase for 2020/2021, 168 submitters
(28.2%) supported a 3.5 per cent general rates increase; 285 submitters (47.9%)
supported a 2.5 per cent increase and 142 submitters (23.9%) were unsure which
rate increase to support. Some submitters did not respond to this question.
10. In relation to the rates postponement for ratepayers impacted by
COVID-19, 348 (66.0%) supported the proposal, 138 submitters (26.2%) did not
support the proposal and 41 submitters (7.8%) were unsure whether or not to
support the proposal. Some submitters did not respond to this question.
11. In relation to suspending the targeted rate paid by accommodation
providers, 361 submitters (68.6%) supported the proposal; 102 submitters
(19.4%) did not support the proposal and 63 submitters (12.0%) were unsure
whether or not to support the proposal. Some submitters did not respond to this
question.
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Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Papakura Local Board:
a) receive consultation feedback on regional proposals in the
Emergency Budget 2020/2021 from people or organisations based in the Papakura
local board area
b) provide feedback on the proposed Emergency Budget 2020/2021.
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Horopaki
Context
12. Auckland
Council publicly consulted from 21 February to 22 March 2020 to seek community
views on the proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 (Consultation
part 1).
13. Since this
consultation was undertaken, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted considerable
pressure on the council’s financial position, which will have flow on
effects for the proposed budget for the 2020/2021 financial year. Given the new
financial realities facing Auckland, work has been undertaken to adjust the
proposed budget, now referred to as Emergency Budget 2020/2021.
14. The council
has undertaken further public consultation with Aucklanders for their views on
Auckland Council’s proposed ‘Emergency Budget’ in response to
the financial impacts of COVID-19 (Consultation part 2) which included
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.
This was carried out from 29 May to 19 June 2020.
15. The Emergency
Budget consultation asked Aucklanders for their view on three main proposals:
· general rates
increase for 2020/2021 of either 2.5 per cent or 3.5 per cent
· rates postponement
for ratepayers impacted by COVID-19
· suspending the
targeted rate by accommodation providers.
16. This report includes analysis of the consultation feedback on the
regional proposals in the Emergency Budget 2020/2021 from people or organisations
based in the Papakura local board area.
Local board input on regional plans
17. 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 Emergency Budget.
18. Local Board
Plans reflect community priorities and preferences and are key documents that
guide both the development of local board agreements, which are adopted every
year as part of the Annual Budget, and input into regional plans.
Types of feedback
19. Overall
Auckland Council received feedback from 34,915 submitters in the consultation
period. This feedback was received through:
· Written feedback
–hard copy and online forms, emails and letters
· Over the phone
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
20. The
proposed Emergency Budget 2020/2021 sets out priorities and how they will be
paid for. The regional consultation on the proposed Emergency Budget focused on
changes to rates and fees; the key proposals were:
· general rates
increase for 2020/2021 of either 2.5 per cent or 3.5 per cent
· rates postponement
for ratepayers impacted by COVID-19
· suspending the
targeted rate by accommodation providers.
21. The
submissions received from the Papakura Local Board area on these key issues is
summarised below, along with an overview of any other areas of feedback on
regional proposals with a local impact.
22. Sometimes
the council receives submissions that have come via a platform created by an
external organisation – these are referred to by the council as pro forma
submissions. The council has received an unusually large number of pro
forma submissions in this consultation process – a total of 9,793.
These have primarily come from two organisations – the Auckland
Ratepayers’ Alliance (9,002) and Generation Zero (371).
23. When
people submit via the council’s official consultation platform (either
the hardcopy feedback form or the digital form), they are directed to the
council’s consultation document and supporting information which are the
statutory basis for the consultation process. People who submit via pro
forma submissions often will not have had this same information presented to
them when they submit, although each pro forma submission is different in its
approach.
24. For
example, the submission form set up by the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance
did not refer to the council’s consultation material and did not ask the
same questions that were included on the council’s feedback form.
Generation Zero’s submission form also did not ask the same questions as
the council’s feedback form. However, Generation Zero did include
links to the council’s consultation material in the information
supporting their submission form.
25. There was one other big pro forma that’s not mentioned in
paragraph 22 because it doesn’t affect the main questions, which is the
Animal Shelter PF. There were 420 pro forma submissions received from them.
26. As
with all feedback, pro forma submissions must be given due consideration with
an open mind, and it is up to elected members to determine the weight that is
given to this feedback.
General rates increase for 2020/2021
27. Aucklanders were asked about a proposed general rates increase of
either 2.5 per cent or 3.5 per cent for 2020/2021.
Question 1:
We are proposing an average general
rates increase of either 2.5 per cent or 3.5 per cent for 2020/2021. We looked
at, but could not responsibly propose rates increases below 2.5 per cent
because of the severe impacts that would have on council services, new
infrastructure, our debt levels and employment and business activity in
Auckland.
The scale of the financial challenge that we
face for next year with a revenue loss of over half a billion dollars due to
COVID-19 means that spending on some council services will need to be reduced
and many capital projects will be delayed even with the 3.5 per cent increase
we had previously planned.
With a lower rate increase of 2.5 per cent, we would need
to further reduce spending on council services and further delay investment in
transport, parks and community and town centre projects.
Which increase do you support?
28. The
graphs below give an overview of the responses from the Papakura Local Board
area.
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Q1
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Responses
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Per cent
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3.5
per cent
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168
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28.2%
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2.5
per cent
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285
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47.9%
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I
don't know
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142
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23.9%
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595
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Rates postponement for ratepayers impacted by COVID-19
29. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to introduce a COVID-19
Rates Postponement Scheme.
Question 2:
We are proposing a COVID-19 Rates Postponement Scheme. This will allow
ratepayers who are struggling financially as a result of COVID-19 to defer up
to $20,000 of their rates for the 2020/2021 year. At the end of the
postponement period ratepayers would have to 30 June 2022 to pay off the
balance (including interest and administration fees).
What do you think of our proposal?
30. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from the Papakura
Local Board area.
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Q2
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Responses
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Per cent
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I
support the proposal
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348
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66.0%
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I
don't support the proposal
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138
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26.2%
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I
don't know
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41
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7.8%
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527
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Suspending the targeted rate paid by accommodation providers
31. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to suspend the targeted rate
by paid by accommodation providers.
Question 3:
Suspending the targeted rate paid by accommodation providers Restrictions on
travel and mass gatherings due to COVID-19 have resulted in us reducing our
spending on visitor attraction and major events. We are proposing to suspend
the Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate (APTR) which helps fund these
activities until 31 March 2021. The APTR will only be charged for the last
three months of the next financial year (2020/2021) as we increase our spending
in this area. This proposal will assist the accommodation sector who are
struggling financially.
What do you think of our proposal?
32. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from the Papakura
Local Board area.
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Q3
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Responses
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Per cent
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I
support the proposal
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361
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68.6%
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I
don't support the proposal
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102
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19.4%
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I
don't know
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63
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12.0%
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526
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Other feedback
33. Aucklanders
were asked if they had any feedback on any other issues including the in
principle decisions made from the first round of consultation.
34. The
proposals that we previously consulted on, and that have been agreed in
principle, subject to consideration of any further feedback received in the
Emergency Budget consultation are:
· Increase
to the waste management base service targeted rate
· Increase
to the waste management standard refuse rate in former Auckland City and
Manukau City areas
· Discontinuation
of the Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted rate for ratepayers
in the Upper Harbour Local Board area effective from 1 July 2021
· Introduction
of a new targeted rate for Central Park Henderson Business Improvement
District.
Feedback on other local topics
35. Key themes across Papakura feedback received on other local topics
include:
· Theme
1: Support cycleways (44% positive sentiment, 56% negative sentiment)
· Theme
2: Charging for Park and Ride (100% negative sentiment)
· Theme
3: Support bus lanes (100% negative sentiment)
· Theme
4: Addressing traffic congestion (33% neutral sentiment, 67% negative
sentiment)
· Theme
5: Opinion on public transport (58% positive sentiment, 12% neutral sentiment,
31% negative sentiment)
· Theme
6: Supporting fuel tax (40% neutral sentiment, 60% negative sentiment)
· Theme
7: Support light rail (33% neutral sentiment, 67% negative sentiment)
· Theme
8: Supporting Sky Path project (100% negative sentiment)
· Theme
9: Addressing climate change (90% positive sentiment, 10% negative sentiment)
· Theme
10: Opinion on water supply issues (33% neutral sentiment, 67% negative
sentiment)
· Theme
11: Supporting America’s Cup (6% positive sentiment, 3% neutral
sentiment, 91% negative sentiment)
· Theme
12: Supporting events in the city (69% positive sentiment, 8% neutral
sentiment, 23% negative sentiment)
· Theme
13: Addressing road safety (86% positive sentiment, 14% negative sentiment)
· Theme
14: Supporting public toilets (50% positive sentiment, 50% neutral sentiment)
· Theme
15: Opinion on inorganic collection service (100% neutral sentiment)
· Theme
16: Sentiment on reducing animal shelter service (100% negative sentiment)
Requests for local funding
36. Previous requests for local funding included:
· Request
1: Pulman Park
· Request
2: Papakura Museum
Information on submitters
37. The
tables and graphs below indicate what demographic categories people identified
with. This information only relates to those submitters who provided demographic
information.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
38. The decisions
recommended in this report are procedural in nature.
39. Some of the
proposed projects in the Emergency Budget 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.
40. Some of the
proposed projects in the Emergency Budget 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
41. The Emergency
Budget is an Auckland Council Group document and will include budgets at a
consolidated group level. 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
42. 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.
43. Local boards play an important role in the development of the
Emergency Budget. Local board nominees have also attended Finance and
Performance Committee workshops on the Emergency Budget.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
44. Many local board decisions are of importance to and impact on
Māori. Local board agreements and the Emergency Budget are important tools
that enable and can demonstrate council’s responsiveness to Māori.
45. 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.
46. The analysis included submissions made by mana whenua and the wider
Māori community who have interests in the rohe / local board area.
47. 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.
48. Some of the
proposed projects in the Emergency Budget 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
49. Local board
input will be considered by the Governing Body for the Emergency Budget
2020/2021 decision-making.
Ngā raru tūpono me ngā
whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
50. Local boards
are required to make recommendations on these local financial matters for the
Emergency Budget by 10 July 2020, to enable the Governing Body to make
decisions on them when considering the Emergency Budget on 16 July 2020.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
51. 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 on 16 July 2020.
52. Local boards
will approve their local board agreements between 20 to 24 July 2020 and
corresponding work programmes in August 2020.
53. The Governing Body will adopt the Emergency Budget on 30 July 2020.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Author
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Victoria Hutt - Senior Local Board Advisor - Papakura
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Authoriser
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Manoj Ragupathy - Relationship Manager Manurewa &
Papakura
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