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Albert-Eden
Local Board
10 May 2022
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Local
board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2022/2023
File No.: CP2022/05824
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
receive consultation feedback from the Albert-Eden Local Board area on:
· proposed
priorities and activities for the Albert-Eden Local Board Agreement
2022/2023.
· regional
topics for the Annual Budget 2022/2023.
2. To
recommend any local matters to the Governing Body, that they will need to
consider or make decisions on in the Annual Budget 2022/2023 process.
3. To
provide input on the proposed regional topics in the Annual Budget 2022/2023.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
4. Local
board agreements set out annual funding priorities, activities, budgets, levels
of service, performance measures and initiatives for each local board area.
Local board agreements for 2022/2023 will be included in the Council’s
Annual Budget 2022/2023.
5. Auckland
Council publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March 2022 to seek community
views on the proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023. This included consultation on
the Albert-Eden Local Board’s proposed priorities for 2022/2023 to be
included in their local board agreement.
6. Auckland
Council received 11,550 pieces of feedback in total across the region including
1,246 pieces of feedback from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
7. From
the 1,246 pieces of feedback received from the Albert-Eden Local Board area,
1,233 were from individuals and 13 were from organisations. There were no pro
formas received during this consultation from the Albert-Eden Local Board
submitters.
8. Feedback
from Albert-Eden Local Board area was:
· Eighty-one
per cent support for the Climate Action Targeted Rate (CATR), fifteen per cent
do not support.
· Fifty-six
per cent support for a range of levers proposed to manage on-going budget
pressures, seventeen per cent do not support.
· Fifty-seven
per cent support for Operating Spending Prioritisation, eleven per cent do not
support.
· Seventy-three
per cent support for moving from a planned region-wide ‘pay as you
throw’ (PAYT) system to a region-wide rates-funded rubbish collection
system, sixteen per cent do not support.
· Seventy-three
per cent support for Standardise waste management services and charges across
Auckland, allowing multi-unit residential developments of ten or more units to
opt-out of refuse, recycling, and food scrap services if Council cannot provide
a service; sixteen per cent do not support.
· Fifty-seven
per cent support for Standardise waste management services and charges across
Auckland, allowing residential and lifestyle properties with between two and
nine units to opt-out of refuse, recycling, and food scrap services if Council
cannot provide a service; ten per cent do not support.
· Fifty-three
per cent support for Standardise waste management services and charges across
Auckland, allowing the opt-out rules for non-residential properties; twelve per
cent do not support.
· Forty-five
per cent support for Apply a minimum base charge for waste management to every
separately used or inhabited part of a property, eighteen per cent do not
support.
9. In
the Annual Budget process there are financial matters where local boards
provide recommendations to the Governing Body, for consideration or
decision-making. This includes:
· proposed
locally-driven initiative capital projects outside local boards’
decision-making responsibility.
· release
of local board specific reserve funds.
· any
local board advocacy initiatives.
The Governing Body will consider these items as part of
the Annual Budget decision-making process in June 2022.
10. Local
boards have a statutory responsibility to provide input into regional
strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws. This report provides an opportunity
for the local board to provide input on council’s proposed Annual Budget
2022/2023.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Albert-Eden Local
Board:
a) receive
consultation feedback on the proposed Albert-Eden Local Board priorities and
activities for 2022/2023.
b) receive
consultation feedback on regional topics in the Annual Budget 2022/2023 from
people and organisations based in the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
c) recommend
that the Governing Body approves any proposed locally-driven initiative (LDI)
capital projects, which are outside local boards’ allocated
decision-making responsibility.
d) recommend
the release of local board specific reserve funds to the Governing Body.
e) provide
input on regional topics in the proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023 to the
Governing Body.
f) provide
its advocacy initiatives for the Annual Budget 2022/2023 to the Governing Body.
Horopaki
Context
11. Each
financial year Auckland Council must have a local board agreement (as agreed
between the Governing Body and the local board) for each local board area. The
Albert-Eden Local Board Agreement sets out how the Council will reflect the
priorities in the Albert-Eden Local Board Plan 2020 in respect to the local
activities to be provided in the Albert-Eden Local Board area and includes
information relating to budgets, levels of service, and performance measures.
12. The local
board agreements 2022/2023 will form part of the Auckland Council’s
Annual Budget 2022/2023.
13. Auckland
Council publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March 2022 to seek community
views on the proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023, as well as local board
priorities and proposed activities to be included in the local board agreement
2022/2023.
14. Due to
the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, significant pressure has
been placed upon the council’s financial position. This has created
significant flow on effects for the council’s proposed Annual Budget
2022/2023.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
15. This
report includes analysis of consultation feedback, any local matters to be
recommended to the Governing Body and seeks input on regional topics in the
proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023.
Consultation feedback
overview
16. As part
of the public consultation Auckland Council used a variety of methods and
channels to reach and engage a broad cross section of Aucklanders to gain their
feedback and input into regional and local topics.
17. In total,
Auckland Council received feedback 11,550 pieces of feedback in the
consultation period. This feedback was received through:
· written
feedback – 9,464 online or hard copy forms, emails or letters.
· in
person – 2,086 pieces of feedback through online Have Your Say events, or
independently managed phone interviews. All events (except one which
didn’t have any attendees) were moved to an online platform or cancelled
due to the red Covid-19 traffic light setting. One online event was held in the
Albert-Eden local board area.
18. All feedback
will be made available on an Auckland Council webpage called “Feedback
submissions for the Annual Budget 2022/2023” and will be accessible from
05 May 2022 through the following link:
https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/admin/projects/submissions-annual-budget-2022-2023
19. 1,246
submissions were received from the Albert-Eden Local Board area. This feedback
was received through 38 hard copy forms, 1,058 online forms and 150 pieces of
feedback catalogued as ‘other ways of submitting’.
Feedback received on the
Albert-Eden Local Board’s priorities for 2022/2023
20. The
Albert-Eden Local Board consulted on the following priorities for 2022/2023:
· Our
priority is to help strengthen and build resilience in communities impacted by
COVID-19 lockdowns, through support for library services, volunteer programmes,
community services and business associations.
· We
will ensure our parks and open spaces provide opportunities for active and
passive leisure and recreational activities, as well as meeting the changing
needs of communities adapting to housing intensification.
· We
will bring climate change to the fore through low carbon planning and
activation, an ongoing tree planting and restoration programme and sustainable
eco-neighbourhood projects.
· We
will investigate creative ways of connecting to, engaging with, and hearing
from our youth, children and diverse populations.
21. 840
pieces of feedback were received on Albert-Eden Local Board’s priorities
for 2022/2023.
22. The
majority (81 per cent) of local respondents supported all (428 responses) or
most (254 responses) of the priorities.
23. Sixty-one
submitters did not support most priorities, and 23 did not support any.
Fifty-three did not know, and 21 selected ‘other’.
24. Consultation
feedback on local board priorities will be considered by the local board when
approving their local board agreement between 21-23 June 2022.
Information on submitters
25. The
tables and graphs below indicate the demographic categories people identified
with. This information only relates to those submitters who provided
demographic information.
Key themes
26. Key
themes of note across the feedback received (through written, in-person and
social media channels) are below.
27. From 106
comments who support all local board priorities the key themes were:
· These
are all really important.
· Climate
change as a top priority.
· Open
space and trees/vegetation are important.
· More
walking, cycling, low speeds and safer streets are needed.
28. From 73
comments who support most local board priorities the key themes were:
· More
climate change action is needed.
· More
walking, cycling, low speeds, and safer streets are needed.
29. From 36
comments who do not support most local board priorities the key
themes were:
· Reduce
spending, focus should be on core council services.
30. From 16
comments who do not support any local board priorities the key
themes were:
· Information
is too general or vague.
· Reduce
rates.
31. From nine
and 12 comments who do not know, or other:
· Information
is too general or vague.
Overview of feedback received
on regional topics in the Annual Budget 2022/2023 from the Albert-Eden Local
Board area
32. The
proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023 sets out Auckland Council’s priorities
and how to pay for them. Consultation on the proposed Annual Budget asked
submitters to respond to four key questions on:
i) Climate
ii) Budget
Pressures
iii) Operating
Spending Prioritisation
iv) Waste
Service Standardisation.
33. The
submissions received from the Albert-Eden 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.
Key Question 1: Climate
34. Aucklanders
were asked about a proposed climate action package which will be funded by a
targeted rate. The climate action package includes investments in low-carbon
public transport, active walking and cycling networks; and urban ngahere
(forest) canopy cover.
35. This is
proposed to be funded through $574 million from a targeted rate over the next
10 years as well additional funding from government co-funding.
36. 1,119
people responded to this question. Eighty-one per cent supported, 15 per cent
did not support it, 3 per cent did not know, 1 per cent responded
“other”.
37. The graph
below gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
38. Key
themes of note across the feedback received are below.
39. From 612
comments who support the proposal:
· 288
comments - generally support.
· 197
comments - support better active and public transport.
· 148
comments – request more action is taken to address climate change.
40. From 87
comments who do not support the proposal:
· 46
comments – the proposal is unaffordable.
· 29
comments - other revenue or savings should be found.
· 18
comments - the proposal will have little effect on climate change.
· 14
comments - general dissatisfaction with council.
· 13
comments - climate change is not a council issue.
Key Question 2: Budget Pressures
41. Aucklanders
were asked about a range of levers proposed to manage on-going budget
pressures. Council is forecasting a budget shortfall of $85 million for
2022/2023 compared to what was budgeted for in the 10-year Budget 2021-2031.
This is due to on-going impacts of COVID-19 on revenue and growing inflationary
pressure.
42. A range
of levers are proposed to manage the budget pressures including:
· Using
the Government’s Better Off support package funding.
· Changing
the timing of some capital spending.
· Implementing
cost reductions in the form of efficiency savings and a potential reduction in
some services.
· Keeping
the previously agreed general rates increase of 3.5 per cent for 2022/2023 and;
· Continuing
work on the sale or long-term lease of non-strategic assets as required.
43. 912
people responded to this question. Fifty-six per cent supported, 17 per cent
did not support it, 19 per cent did not know, 8 per cent responded
“other”.
44. The graph
below gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
45. Key
themes of note across the feedback received are below.
46. From 168
comments who support the proposal:
· 84
comments - generally support the proposal.
· 25
comments - other revenue or savings should be found.
· 19
comments - council should only invest in core/essential services.
47. From 102
comments who do not support:
· 31
comments - other revenue or savings should be found.
· 19
comments - general dissatisfaction with council.
· 14
comments - financial hardship.
· 14
comments - do not support asset sales.
· 12
comments - rates are too high.
· 10
comments - increase rates more.
· 10
comments - generally do not support the proposal.
48. Since
consultation, further reduction in revenue caused by the COVID-19 omicron
outbreak and rising interest and inflation costs has compounded budget
pressures.
49. Local
Board Chairs attended a Finance and Performance Committee workshop outlining
the increased pressures and a briefing was held for all local board members.
Key Question 3: Operating
Spending Prioritisation
50. Aucklanders
were asked to provide feedback on a proposal that would see council prioritise
operating spending to help manage on-going budget pressures. A set of criteria
to be used when making decisions about cost reductions, including those that
could reduce, stop or change some services, was proposed.
51. The
proposal involves implementing $15 million of additional permanent cost
reductions in the form of efficiency saving and low-priority service reductions
across the group in 2023/2024, growing to $30 million per annum from 2024/2025
onwards.
52. 853
people responded to this question. Fifty-seven per cent supported, 12 per cent
did not support it, 25 per cent did not know, 6 per cent responded
“other”.
53. The graph
below gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
Key themes
54. Key
themes of note across the feedback received are below.
55. From 132
comments who support the proposal:
· 57
comments - generally support the proposal.
· 24
comments - request to prioritise or keep services.
· 18
comments - other revenue or savings should be found.
· 11
comments - only invest in core/essential services.
56. From 61
comments who do not support the proposal:
· 17
comments - other revenue or savings should be found.
· 13
comments - general dissatisfaction with council.
· 12
comments - generally do not support the proposal.
· 11
comments - request to prioritise or keep services.
Key Question 4: Waste Service
Standardisation
57. Aucklanders
were asked about a proposal to standardise waste services and charges across
Auckland. The proposal would involve a move to a region-wide rates funded
refuse collection service and see a choice of three bin sizes (with different
pricing for each) to accommodate different household needs.
58. The
proposal involves moving from a planned region-wide ‘pay as you
throw’ (PAYT) system to a region-wide rates-funded rubbish collection
system
59. 928
people responded to this question. Seventy-three per cent supported, 16 per
cent did not support it, 7 per cent did not know, 5 per cent responded
“other”.
60. The graph
below gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
61. Auckland
Council are also proposing to include standardising which properties can
opt-out of waste management services and charges across Auckland.
62. There
were four further questions related to this topic.
63. The first
question asked the submitters what their thoughts were on standardising the
opt-out rules for residential multi-unit developments (10 or more units). 828
responses were received to this question. Fifty-seven per cent supported, 10
per cent did not support it, 31 per cent did not know, 2 per cent responded
“other”.
64. The graph
below gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
65. The
second question asked the submitters what their thoughts were on standardising
the opt-out rules for residential and lifestyle properties with between two and
nine units. 802 responses were received to this question. Fifty per cent
supported, 14 per cent did not support it, 34 per cent did not know, 2 per cent
responded “other”.
66. The graph
below gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
67. The third
question asked the submitters what their thoughts were on standardising the
opt-out rules for non-residential properties. 802 responses were received to
this question. Fifty-three per cent supported, 12 per cent did not support it,
33 per cent did not know, 2 per cent responded “other”.
68. The graph
below gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
69. The
fourth question asked the submitters what their thoughts were on applying a
minimum base charge to every separately used or inhabited part of a property.
773 responses were received to this question. Forty-five per cent supported, 18
per cent did not support it, 35 per cent did not know, 2 per cent responded
“other”.
70. The graph
below gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
Other feedback
71. Aucklanders
were asked what is important to them and if they had any feedback on any other
issues.
72. Feedback
was received on increasing Local board decision-making over local community
services decisions that align with local priorities. There were 11 comments
submitted:
· Five
comments support increasing decision-making to local boards.
· Four
comments do not support greater decision-making to local boards.
· Two
comments made other suggestions.
73. Feedback
was received on Tūpuna Maunga Authority Operational Plan 2022/2023. This
would require that the Authority to provide a framework in which the council
must carry out the routine management of the 14 Tūpuna Maunga, under the
direction of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority. 23 comments were provided
on this topic:
· Six
comments support the operational plan.
· Twelve
comments do not support (key themes from the comments were on opposition to
tree felling and management arrangement).
· Five
comments made another point
74. No
comments were provided on changes to fees and charges.
Recommendations on local
matters
75. This
report allows the local board to recommend local matters to the Governing Body
for consideration as part of the Annual Budget process, in June 2022. This
includes:
· proposed
locally-driven initiative capital projects outside local boards’
decision-making responsibility.
· release
of local board specific reserve funds.
· local
advocacy initiatives.
Funding for Locally-driven
Initiatives (LDI)
76. Local
boards are allocated funding for locally-driven initiatives (LDI) annually, to
spend on local projects or programmes that are important to their communities.
Local boards have decision-making over the LDI funds but need approval from the
Governing Body where:
· operational
LDI funding is to be converted into capital LDI funding.
· the
release of local board specific reserve funds is requested, which are being
held by the council for a specific purpose.
· a
LDI capital project exceeds $1 million.
77. These
conditions do not apply to the Albert-Eden Local Board for the 2022/2023
financial year.
Local board advocacy
78. Local
boards are requested to provide approved advocacy initiatives which considers
the consultation feedback above. This allows the Finance and Performance Committee
to consider these advocacy items when making recommendations on the Annual
Budget 2022/2023 to the Governing Body in June.
79. The
advocacy initiatives approved by the local board will be included as an
appendix to the 2022/2023 Local Board Agreement.
Local board input on regional
topics in the Annual Budget 2022-2023
80. Local
boards have a statutory responsibility for identifying and communicating the
interests and preferences of the people in its local board area in relation to
Auckland Council’s strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws, and any
proposed changes to be made to them. This report provides an opportunity for
the local board to provide input on council’s proposed Annual Budget
2022/2023.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
81. The
decisions recommended in this report are part of the Annual Budget 2022/2023
and local board agreement process to approve funding and expenditure over the
next year.
82. Projects
allocated funding through this Annual Budget process will all have varying
levels of potential climate impact associated with them. The climate impacts of
projects Auckland Council chooses to progress, are all assessed carefully as
part of council’s rigorous reporting requirements.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
83. The
Annual Budget 2022/2023 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
84. The local
board’s decisions and feedback are being sought in this report. The local
board has a statutory role in providing its feedback on regional plans.
85. Local
boards play an important role in the development of the council’s 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
86. 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 the council’s responsiveness to Māori.
87. Local
board plans, developed in 2020 through engagement with the community including
Māori, form the basis of local board area priorities. There is a need to
continue to build relationships between local boards and iwi, and the wider
Māori community.
88. Analysis
provided of consultation feedback received on the proposed Annual Budget
includes submissions made by mana whenua and the wider Māori community who
have interests in the rohe / local board area.
89. 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 the council’s decision-making
processes.
90. Some
projects approved for funding could have discernible impacts on Māori. The
potential impacts on Māori, as part of any project progressed by Auckland
Council, will be assessed appropriately and accordingly as part of relevant
reporting requirements.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
91. This
report is seeking the local board’s decisions on financial matters in the
local board agreement that must then be considered by the Governing Body.
92. The local
board also provides input to regional plans and proposals. There is information
in the council’s consultation material for each plan or proposal with the
financial implications of each option outlined for consideration.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
93. The
council must adopt its Annual Budget, which includes local board agreements, by
30 June 2022. The local board is required to make recommendations on these
local matters for the Annual Budget by mid May 2022 and present to the Finance
and Performance Committee on 25 May, to enable and support the Governing Body
to make decisions on key items to be included in the Annual Budget on 7 June
2022.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
94. The local
board will approve its local board agreement and corresponding work programmes
in June 2022.
95. Recommendations
and feedback from the local board will be provided to the Finance and
Performance committee for consideration ahead of that Committee making
recommendations to the Governing Body for decision.
96. The final
Annual Budget 2022/2023 (including local board agreements) will be adopted by
the Governing Body on 29 June 2022.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Author
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Canela Ferrara – Local Board Advisor
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Authoriser
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Nina Siers - Local Area Manager
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