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Upper Harbour
Local Board
12 May 2022
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Local board consultation feedback and
input in the Annual Budget 2022 - 2023
File No.: CP2022/05717
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
receive consultation feedback from the Upper Harbour Local Board area on:
· proposed
priorities and activities for the Upper Harbour 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 Upper Harbour Local Board’s proposed
priorities for 2022/2023 to be included in their local board
agreement.
6. Auckland Council received 9,464 submissions in total across the
region including 350
submissions from the Upper Harbour Local Board area.
7. 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.
8. Three
hundred and thirty-five (335) submissions from the Upper Harbour Local Board
area were received on the local board’s priorities. Of those, 76 per cent
of submitters either supported all or most priorities proposed by the Upper
Harbour Local Board.
9. Three
hundred and thirty-five (335) submissions from the Upper Harbour Local Board
area were received on the proposed Climate Action Targeted Rate showing a
majority of submitters (61 per cent) supported the proposal.
10. A majority of
submitters supported specific proposals in the budget such as the proposal to
manage ongoing spending (49 percent of 307 submissions received) and prioritise
operational spending (57 percent of 296 submissions received).
11. Three hundred
and twenty (320) submissions on the standardisation of waste management
proposal were received for the Upper Harbour Local Board area. Of those, 42 per
cent of submitters supported the proposal to move to a rates funded system
while 49 per cent of submitters did not support the proposal and preferred a
pay-as-you-throw system.
12. 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.
13. 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 Upper Harbour Local
Board:
a) receive consultation feedback on the
proposed Upper Harbour 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 Upper
Harbour Local Board area.
c) recommend that the Governing Body approves any proposed locally
driven initiative (LDI) capital projects, which are outside the local
boards’ allocated decision-making responsibility.
d) provide input on regional topics in the proposed Annual Budget
2022/2023 to the Governing Body.
e) provide its advocacy initiatives for the Annual Budget 2022/2023 to the Governing Body.
Horopaki
Context
14. 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
Upper Harbour Local Board Agreement sets out how the council will reflect the
priorities in the Upper Harbour Local Board Plan 2020 in respect to the local
activities to be provided in the Upper Harbour Local Board area and includes
information relating to budgets, levels of service, and performance measures.
15. The local
board agreements 2022/2023 will form part of the Auckland Council’s
Annual Budget 2022/2023.
16. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March
2022 seeking 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.
17. 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
18. This report includes analysis of consultation feedback, any local
matters to be recommended to the Governing Body, and seeks local board input on
regional topics in the proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023.
19. The
feedback submissions can be found in the following link: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/admin/projects/submissions-annual-budget-2022-2023
Consultation
feedback overview
20. As part of
the public consultation on the Annual Budget 2022/2023, 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.
21. 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.
22. Auckland Council received 9,464 submissions in total across the
region including 350
submissions from the Upper Harbour Local Board area.
Information on submitters
23. The tables and graphs below indicate the demographic categories people
identified with. This information only relates to those submitters who provided
demographic information.
24. The information in Graph 1 below shows the
distribution of submissions from individuals and organisations in the Upper
Harbour Local Board area by feedback method:
Graph 1.
Number of submitters by feedback method
25. The information in Graph 2 below shows the
number of submissions from individuals and organisations in the Upper Harbour
Local Board area:
Graph 2.
Number of submissions from individuals and organisations
26. The three organisations that identified Upper
Harbour as their local board area are:
· Scott
Point Residents Group
· Summerset
Group Holdings Limited
· Business
North Harbour.
27. Three
organisations identified a different local board as their area however noted
interest in the Upper Harbour Local Board area as follows:
· Badminton
North Harbour
· Harbour
Sport
· Auckland
Communities and People.
28. Graphs 3 and 4 below provide an overview of demographic
categories individuals identified with. This information only relates to those
Upper Harbour Local Board submitters who provided demographic information:
Graph 3. Ethnicity
Graph 4. Age and Gender
Feedback
received on the Upper Harbour Local Board’s priorities for 2022/2023
29. The Upper Harbour Local Board consulted on the following
priorities for 2022/2023:
· progress
delivery of Scott Point Sustainable Sports Park
· Caribbean
Drive sports field upgrade and a new toilet facility
· implement
actions from Upper Harbour Local Board Greenways Plan: this includes
progressing works for the new pathway in Rosedale Park and deliver a new
walkway in Wharf Reserve
· renew
several playgrounds, including Devonshire Reserve playspace (renew and
upgrade), Herald Island Domain, and Hobsonville War Memorial Reserve
· look
at ways that residents and visitors alike can better navigate their way through
and between the wonderful parks and open spaces of the Upper Harbour Local
Board area for recreation and enjoyment opportunities
· continue
to invest in initiatives that build local resilience and support community
connections.
30. Three
hundred and thirty-five (335) submissions from the Upper Harbour Local Board
area were received on the local board’s priorities. Of those, 76 per cent
of submitters either supported all or most priorities proposed by the Upper Harbour
Local Board. Graph 5 below provides an
overview of submissions received:
Graph 5. Upper Harbour submissions on
local board priorities
31. The analysis of comments provided by submitters on the
local board priorities had no clear themes however a few repeated comments have
been noted in Table 1 below:
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Comments
on local board priorities
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Support
all priorities
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• Support the prioritisation of
playgrounds and parks
• Felt the benefit of what
priorities were being proposed
• Support the prioritisation of
greenways and connections
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Support
most priorities
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• Desire to see roading
infrastructure prioritised
• Felt that local board
priorities did not focus across the entire local board area
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Do not
support most priorities
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• Desire to see transport
prioritised
• Desire to see nice to haves
not spent on right now
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Do not
support any priorities
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• Felt that now is not the time
to be spending
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Table 1. Comments on Upper Harbour Local
Board priorities
32. Consultation feedback on local board priorities will be
considered by the local board when approving their local board agreement at the
23 June 2022 business meeting.
Overview of feedback received on
regional topics in the Annual Budget 2022/2023 from the Upper Harbour Local
Board area
33. 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:
1. Climate
2. Budget
Pressures
3. Operating
Spending Prioritisation
4. Waste
Service Standardisation
34. The submissions received from the Upper Harbour 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
35. 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.
36. This
is proposed to be funded through $574 million from a targeted rate over the
next 10 years as well additional co-funding from government.
37. Three hundred
and thirty-five (335) submissions from the Upper Harbour Local Board area were
received on the proposed Climate Action Targeted Rate showing a majority of
submitters (61 per cent) supported the proposal.
38. Graph 6 below gives an overview of the responses from the
Upper Harbour Local Board area.
Graph 6. Climate Action Targeted Rate
Upper Harbour responses
Key themes
39. The key themes from submitters who supported the proposal
were:
· Overall
support for the proposal, acknowledging that Climate Change needs to be
addressed urgently
· Acknowledgment
that ratepayers need to contribute to funding this outcome and a desire for
more accountability and transparency
· Prioritisation
of investment in infrastructure for improved public transport and active modes
of transport
· A
desire for action to reduce emissions and increased tree canopy
· A
few repeated comments stated that the proposal did not go far enough.
40. The key themes from submitters who did not support the
proposal were:
· Concerns
regarding affordability and ongoing rates increases
· Expressed
the belief that there is no climate emergency
· A
few repeated comments that did not see the individual benefits as there is
inequitable access to public transport in the local board area.
Key Question 2: Budget Pressures
41. Aucklanders were asked about a range of levers proposed
to manage on-going budget pressures. Council are 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. 
Graph 7 below give an overview
of the responses from the Upper Harbour Local Board area.
Graph 7. Managing on-going budget
pressures Upper Harbour responses
Key themes
44. The key themes from submitters who supported the proposal
showed overall support for what was proposed and the proposed budget levers,
with the desire for Auckland Council to focus on delivering core services.
45. The key themes from submitters who did not support the
proposal indicated a desire to not see any rate increases and did not support
the sale of non-strategic assets.
46. Since consultation, further reduction
in revenue caused by the COVID-19 omicron outbreak and rising interest and
inflation costs has compounded budget pressures.
Key Question 3: Operating Spending Prioritisation
47. 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
was proposed to be used when making decisions about cost reductions, including
those that could reduce, stop or change some services.
48. The proposal involves implementing $15
million of additional permanent cost reductions in the form of efficiency
savings and low-priority service reductions in 2023/2024, growing to $30
million per annum from 2024/2025 onwards.
49. Graph 8 below gives an overview of the responses from the
Upper Harbour Local Board area.
Graph 8. Prioritising operating spending
Upper Harbour responses
Key themes
50. The key themes from submitters who supported the
proposal showed overall support with the desire for more transparency and
accountability from Auckland Council, and a focus on the delivery of core
services.
51. There were no key themes from submitters who did not
support the proposal however some repeated comments indicated a lack of trust
in Auckland Council to determine which operating costs should be
prioritised.
Key Question 4: Waste Service Standardisation
52. 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.
53. Graph 9 below give an overview of the responses from the Upper
Harbour Local Board area.
Graph 9. Standardising Waste Management
Upper Harbour responses
54. The key themes from submitters who supported the proposal
to shift to a rates funded model were:
· Overall
support for the proposal to move to a more cost-effective, equitable and
climate friendly option
· A
few repeated comments around the need for waste minimisation education,
specifically around recycling and composting
55. The key themes from submitters who did not support the
proposal and preferred a pay-as-you-throw system were:
· Do
not want to see an increase in rates
· Do
not believe the proposal will contribute to waste minimisation goals
· Expressed
a preference for a user pays / pay-as-you-throw system.
· Stated
that the proposal would result in a higher cost for households that currently
have good waste practices at home
· A
few comments from submitters indicated the preference to use private collection
services rather than Council services.
56. Auckland Council are also proposing to
include standardising which properties can opt-out of waste management services
and charges across Auckland. Table 2 below provides an overview of the responses from the Upper Harbour Local Board area.
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Proposal
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Support
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Do Not
Support
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Other
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I
don’t know
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Standardise
the opt-out rules for residential multi-unit developments
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48%
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17%
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3%
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31%
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Standardise
the opt-out rules for residential and lifestyle properties with between two
and nine units
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46%
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18%
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2%
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33%
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Standardise
the opt-out rules for non-residential properties
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49%
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15%
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3%
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33%
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Apply a
minimum base charge to every separately used or inhabited part of a property
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33%
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31%
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3%
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33%
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Table 2. Standardising Waste Management
Upper Harbour responses opt-out
Recommendations on local matters
57. 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 a local boards’ decision-making
responsibility
· release
of local board specific reserve funds.
· local
advocacy initiatives.
Funding for Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI)
58. 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.
59. There are no
matters relating to the above conditions that apply to the Upper Harbour Local
Board for the 2022/2023 financial year.
Local board advocacy
60. Local boards are requested to provide approved advocacy
initiatives which considers the consultation feedback received. The Finance and
Performance Committee will consider any advocacy matters when making
recommendations on the Annual Budget 2022/2023 to the Governing Body in June.
61. 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
62. 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 the proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
63. 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 financial year.
64. 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
65. 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
66. 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.
67. Local boards play an important role in the development of
the council’s annual budget. Local board agreements form part of the
annual budget.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
68. 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.
69. 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.
70. Analysis 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.
71. 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.
72. 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
73. 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.
74. 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
75. 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 2022, 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
76. The local board will approve its local board agreement
and corresponding work programmes in June 2022.
77. Recommendations and feedback from the local board will be
provided to the Finance and Performance Committee for consideration ahead of
making recommendations to the Governing Body for decisions.
78. 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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Authors
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Heather Skinner - Local Board Advisor
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Authorisers
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Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager
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