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Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Local Board
09 May 2023
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Local
board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2023/2024
File No.: CP2023/05550
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
receive consultation feedback from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Local Board area on:
· proposed
priorities and activities for the Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Local Board Agreement 2023/2024
· proposed
local activities to discontinue, reduce spending on, or
increase fees to meet the Governing Body’s proposed reduction in
local board funding
· regional
topics and related policies for the Annual Budget 2023/2024.
2. To
recommend any local matters to the Governing Body that it will need to consider
or make decisions on in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 process.
3. To
provide input on the proposed regional topics in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 to
the Governing Body as provided in Attachment A.
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 2023/2024 will be included in Auckland
Council’s Annual Budget 2023/2024.
5. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March
2023 to seek community views on the proposed Annual Budget 2023/2024.
This included consultation on the Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Local Board’s proposed priorities for 2023/2024 to be
included in its local board agreement and proposed local activities to
discontinue, reduce spending, or increase fees to meet the Governing
Body’s proposed reduction in local board funding.
6. Auckland
Council received 41,147 submissions in total across the region and 1,253
submissions from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board area.
7. 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 2023/2024.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Local Board:
a) whiwhi / receive consultation feedback on
the proposed Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board priorities and activities for 2023/2024 including proposed
local activities to discontinue, reduce spending, or increase fees, to meet the
reduction in local board funding proposed by the Governing Body
b) whiwhi / receive consultation feedback on regional topics in the
Annual Budget 2023/2024 and related policies from people and organisations
based in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board area
c) whakarite / provide input on regional topics in the proposed Annual
Budget 2023/2024 and related policies to the Governing Body
d) whakarite / provide advocacy on any local
initiatives for the Annual Budget 2023/2024 to the
Governing Body.
Horopaki
Context
8. Auckland Council has faced ongoing budget challenges and recent and
rapid increases in inflation and interest rates has placed significant
pressure on the council’s financial position. A forecast budget
deficit of $295 million needs to be addressed in the council’s proposed
Annual Budget 2023/2024.
9. 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 Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Agreement sets out how the
Council will reflect the priorities in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Local Board Plan 2020 in respect to the local activities to be provided in the
local board area. It includes information relating to budgets, levels of
service, and performance measures.
10. The local board
agreements 2023/2024 will form part of Auckland Council’s Annual Budget
2023/2024.
11. Auckland Council consulted from 28 February to 28 March 2023 to seek
community views on the proposed Annual Budget 2023/2024, as well as local board priorities and proposed activities to be included in the
local board agreement 2023/2024. In total, Auckland Council received
feedback from 41,147 people in the consultation period.
This feedback was received through:
· 28,805 online forms
· 5,006 pieces of feedback through paper copy Have Your Say
forms
· 1,909 pieces of feedback through emails, including letters
· 4,488 pieces of feedback received through events and additional 939 submissions received through other
channels.
12. The
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board hosted three ‘Have Your Say’
events as part of its Annual Budget consultation. A Community hui was held on
the 22 March 2023, followed by a Community Partner led hui by Sikh
Women’s Association on 27 March 2023. A Diversity Forum took place on 27
March 2023 delivered by the New Zealand Chandigarh Club.
Over 250 people participated in these events.
13. The
Ōtara Top Squad Youth group hosted two engagement events to gather youth
feedback. These were held on 15 and 23 March 2023 at the Ōtara Music and
Art Centre. Over 40 youth participated in these two events.
14. The
Southern Local Boards Mana Whenua hui took place on 14 March 2023 through Ara Kōtui rōpū and was
attended by Ngāti Paoa Trust Board, Ngāti Whatua and Ngā mana
whenua o Tāmaki-Makaurau. Elected representatives from all the southern
local boards also attended.
15. Two mana whenua workshops were held regionally on 28 February 2023
followed by one on 3 March 2023. 13 of the 19 (68 per cent) mana whenua
entities responded to the Auckland Council’s proposals for the Annual
Budget 2023/2024 which included Ngaati
Whanaunga Incorporated Society, Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board, Ngāti Rehua - Ngātiwai Ki Aotea Trust, Ngāti Tamaoho Settlement Trust, Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust, Te Ahiwaru Trust, Te
Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua, Te
Kawerau Iwi Settlement Trust, Te Whakakitenga
o Waikato Incorporated, Te Ākitai Waiohua
Settlement Trust, Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Ngātiwai
Trust Board, Te Ara Rangatū o te Iwi o
Ngāti Te Ata – Waiohua.
16. Several
other engagement events took place across the local area which included a
Seniors Forum held at Te Puke ō Tara Community Centre on 14 March 2023
with around 96 seniors in participation, followed by a Pasifika Fono on the
same day, held at Papatoetoe Town Hall with less than 20 people in
attendance.
17. A total of 1,253 submissions were received for the
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local area, of which 1,225 were from individuals and 28
from community organisations. A total of 759 submissions were received in hard
copy, 356 online, 62 through events, 7 via email and 69 through other channels.
18. This
Annual Budget saw the highest number of engagement from Pacific communities
locally with 70 per cent of the submitters indicating ethnic identity as
Pacific and of these 483 were Samoans, followed by 136 Tongans. Other
ethnicities included 210 European submitters, followed by 190 who identified as
Asians and 136 as Māori. The local board also received 28 submissions from
community organisations
19. In
the local board area there were 677 female submitters and 477 males, while 8
selected other. The highest number of participations was from 15-24 age group
(20 per cent of submitters), followed by 25-34 years at 19 per cent and 35-44
years at 18 per cent. The local board received 81 submissions from under
15-year-olds and 51 submissions from over 75-year-olds.
20. Of the 1,253 submissions, 356 were made online, while 759 were submitted
in hard copy while the remaining 138 came through email and events.
21. All feedback will be made available on an
Auckland Council webpage called “Submissions on the Annual Budget
2023/2024” and is accessible through the following link: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/submissions-annual-budget-2023-2024
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
Feedback received for the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board for 2023/2024
Key priorities in Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Area in 2023/2024
22. The Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Local Board consulted on the following
priorities for 2023/2024:
· Priority 1: Explore initiatives and actions raised
through the safety networks to improve safety in our town centres and
neighbourhoods.
· Priority 2: Invest in closing the digital divide by
supporting community groups to upskill all residents with technology to enable
work, schooling, and connection.
· Priority 3: Fund programmes aimed at upskilling our
residents, particularly youth, for emerging sectors.
· Priority 4: Continue to improve our
sports fields and facilities to encourage active participation and access to
sports and athletic activities for organised and informal use.
· Priority 5: Continue to support
environmental activities and initiatives, including community-led activities, to
respond to climate change, reducing waste and protecting our environment.
23. A total of 824 submissions were received on Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Local Board’s priorities for 2023/2024. 615 local respondents either
support all or most of the proposed priorities of the local board.
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I support all priorities
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I support most priorities
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I do not support most
priorities
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I do not support any
priorities
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Other
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Don’t know
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Total
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Individuals
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369
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215
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84
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68
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27
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22
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785
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Organisations
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17
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14
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4
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1
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2
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0
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38
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Māori entities
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0
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0
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0
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0
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1
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0
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1
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Responding to the budget
challenge
24. The council’s
proposed response to mitigate the budget pressures for 2023/2024 included a
proposed reduction of $16 million to local board operational funding –
this would require the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board to reduce its planned
operating spend by $891,000.
25. To do this, local
boards would need to make tough decisions, prioritising what they do and where
they invest. Aucklanders were asked for their
priorities given the proposed reduction would mean some local activities
would have to be discontinued, have reduced spending, or increased fees.
26. The graph below
gives an overview of the responses from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board
area.
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Themes
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Individuals
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Organisations
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Local grants e.g.
Community Grants programme and contestable grants
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247
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25
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Arts and
culture programme
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238
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9
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Community programme
delivery e.g. community activations and placemaking
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237
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11
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Library
opening hours and services
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180
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8
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Local events
e.g. Movies in Parks, ANZAC
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173
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4
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Environmental
restoration and pest control programmes
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171
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3
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Community
climate action and sustainability
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161
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5
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Protection
and restoration of local waterways
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144
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7
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Parks
activations and programmes
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102
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6
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Local waste
minimisation programmes
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80
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3
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Environmental
programme volunteers
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81
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0
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Temporarily
or permanently close council venues
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63
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2
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Community lease charges
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41
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8
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Open space low / no mow
areas
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23
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1
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Other
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270
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4
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Total
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2211
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96
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Information on submitters
27. The tables and graphs below indicate the demographic categories people
identified with. This information only relates to those submitters who provided
demographic information.
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Demographics
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Count
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Gender
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1162
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Male
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477
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Female
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677
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Another gender
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8
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Ethnicity
|
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#
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%
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European
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210
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18%
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Pākehā/NZ
European
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181
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15%
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Other
European
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29
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2%
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Māori
|
|
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136
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12%
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Pasifika
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|
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821
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70%
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|
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Samoan
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483
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41%
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|
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Cook
Islands Māori
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118
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10%
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|
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Tongan
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136
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12%
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|
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Other
Pasifika
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84
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7%
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Asian
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|
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190
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16%
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|
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Chinese
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32
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3%
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|
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Southeast
Asian
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28
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2%
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|
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Korean
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14
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1%
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|
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Indian
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114
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10%
|
|
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Other Asian
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2
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0%
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African/Middle
Eastern/Latin
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11
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1%
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Other
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|
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11
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1%
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Total
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|
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1169
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118%
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Overview of feedback received on regional topics in the Annual
Budget 2023/2024 from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area
28. The proposed Annual Budget 2023/2024 sets out Auckland
Council’s priorities and how the Council plans to pay for them. Consultation
on the proposed Annual Budget asked submitters to respond to key questions on:
1. operating
spending reductions
2. amending Auckland International
Airport Limited (AIAL) Shareholding Policy
3. managing
rates and debt
4. storm
response
5. local
board priorities (covered in ‘Feedback received on the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local
Board for 2023/2024’ section above)
6. changes
to other rates, fees and charges.
29. Submitters
were also encouraged to give feedback on any of the other matters included in
the Annual Budget 2023/2024 consultation document.
30. The submissions received from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe
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: operating spending reductions
31. Aucklanders were asked for feedback on a proposal to save
$125 million through reductions including:
· maintaining the current reduced number of public
transport services for 2023/2024 to save $21 million
· reducing funding to Tātaki Auckland Unlimited to
save a further $27.5 million with effects on service delivery (including
economic development and tourism promotion) and pricing at venues it manages
such as Auckland Zoo, Auckland Art Gallery and stadiums
· reducing regional services such as community and
education programmes, arts and culture programmes, regional events, economic
development and other social services activities such as homelessness funding,
community empowerment and funding for youth centres to save $20 million
· reducing local board funded activities across all boards
to save $16 million (feedback received on local impacts of the reduction is
outlined in the ‘Feedback received for the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board for
2023/2024’ section above)
· reducing contestable grants to save $3 million
· no longer directly providing early childhood education
services to save $1 million.
32. A total of 731 submitters responded to this question with
455 opting for do not proceed with any and or some reductions and instead
further increase rates and/or debt. A total of 10 out of 13 iwi (77 per cent) responded
to this proposal with 7 opting for do not proceed with any and or some
reductions and instead further increase rates and/or debt as well.
33. The graph below gives an overview of the responses to
this question from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area.
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Proceed with
the proposed reduction
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Do not proceed
with some reductions and instead further increase rates and/or debt
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Do not proceed
with any reductions and instead further increase rates and/or debt
|
Other
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I don't know
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Total
|
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Individuals
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138
|
193
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262
|
60
|
55
|
708
|
|
Organisations
|
2
|
7
|
8
|
4
|
1
|
22
|
|
Māori
entities
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Proformas
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
Key themes
34. Key themes of note
across the feedback received included:
· support
for retention of local board funded activities
· support
for maintaining the current reduced number of public transport services
· partial
support for reducing funding to Tātaki Auckland Unlimited as it brings
local tourism and events to South Auckland especially Pasifika festival
· strong
advocacy from Community organisations on retaining regional services for e.g.
funding for Citizens Advice Bureau
with further support on reducing arts and culture programmes if needed
· support
for maintaining the current contestable grants
· Mana
Whenua entities who elected to support all priorities emphasised the importance
of local board funding to further initiatives to enhance the wellbeing of
people and the environment
· support
for no longer directly providing early childhood education services as the
local childcare network has this provision covered.
Key
Question 2: Amending Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) Shareholding
Policy
35. Aucklanders were asked about a planned change to the AIAL
Shareholding Policy which will allow the sale of some or all of Auckland
Council’s shares in AIAL. The proposal is to sell all the shareholding
(currently around 18 per cent of shares in Auckland Airport) which would reduce
debt by around $1.9 billion. This is projected to reduce interest costs by $87
million per year.
36. Other options were considered, including keeping all the
shares or a partial sale. These options would contribute less towards the
budget reduction target and require other actions such as further increasing
rates or debt.
37. Of the 743 submitters who responded to this
question, 222 opted for don’t change the policy, keep all shares and
further increase rates and/or debt, followed by 184 responses with enable a
partial sale of shares, maintaining a 10 per cent shareholding in AIAL and, 188
submitters saying proceed with the proposal to enable the sale of all shares. A
total of 9 of the 13 iwi (69 per cent) responded to this proposal with 7 opting
for full and or partial sale of the shares.
38. The graph below gives an overview of the responses to
this question from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area.
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Proceed with
the proposal to enable the sale of all our shares in AIAL and use the
proceeds to reduce debt and therefore annual interest costs by around $87
million per year
|
Enable a
partial sale of our shares, maintaining a 10 per cent shareholding in AIAL
(reducing our interest costs by around $40 million per year), and further
increase rates and/or debt
|
Don’t
change the policy, keep all our shares and further increase rates and/or debt
|
Other
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I don't know
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Total
|
|
Individuals
|
188
|
184
|
215
|
76
|
59
|
722
|
|
Organisations
|
4
|
7
|
7
|
2
|
1
|
21
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Key themes
39. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· Mana whenua identified the sale of AIAL shares as an opportunity
for mana whenua entities to invest
· airport shares are an investment and should be kept as
future dividends/income
· global travel trends are growing and as a result, partial
sale could still ensure growth in dividends, while we free up some shares to
pay the interest rates.
Key
Question 3: Managing rates and debt
40. Aucklanders were asked to provide feedback on a
proposal of a total rates increase for the average value residential property
of around 4.66 per cent or $154 per year. This would be achieved through:
· an
average increase in general rates of 7 per cent
across all existing properties, including non-residential
· reducing the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) and
Water Quality Targeted Rate (WQTR) by around two thirds and using the money
already collected from these rates to continue delivering these work programmes
as planned in 2023/2024
· pausing the long-term differential strategy (the split
between business and residential rates) for one year. Under the current policy,
annual increases to general rates for business properties are less than for
non-business properties so that over time the share of general rates paid by
business properties is fairer.
41. Aucklanders were
also asked about the proposal to increase council’s use of debt by up to
$75 million in the 2023/2024 year. The proposal involves using the debt to fund some capital expenditure
that is currently planned to be funded by operating revenue.
42. Of the 1,036 responses on this question, 350
submitters opted for setting a lower general rates increase and make greater
use of debt with, 192 respondents selecting proceeding with the proposed
increases to rates and debt. A total of 11 of the 13 iwi (85 per cent)
responded to this proposal with 5 in support of the proposed increase.
43. The graph below gives an overview of the responses to
this question from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area.
|
Proceed with the proposed
increases to rates (4.66 per cent overall for the average value residential
property) and debt (up to $75 million of additional debt)
|
Set a higher general
rates increase
|
Make greater use of debt
|
Set a lower general rates
increase and make greater use of debt
|
Set a higher general
rates increase and make less use of debt
|
Other
|
I don't know
|
|
Individual
|
191
|
87
|
138
|
342
|
42
|
114
|
99
|
|
Org
|
1
|
4
|
1
|
8
|
1
|
5
|
2
|
Key themes
44. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· impact of current cost of living, combined with inflation, and
increase mortgage rates will add financial strain on rate payers
· regardless of the position, all Māori entities raised concerns
regarding people who do not have the means to service rates increase(s)
· proposed increased rates could be supported if essential services
are retained such as community programmes, access to facilities, libraries and
pools.
Key
Question 4: Storm response
45. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to
increase council’s operating budgets by around $20 million each year to
improve the ability to prepare for and respond to future storms. This would
likely require rates to increase for 2023/2024 by around an additional 1 per
cent (on top of the 4.66 per cent increase proposed to address the budget
shortfall).
46. Of the 767 submitters who responded to this question, 403
said to proceed with the proposal to increase our operating budget by around
$20 million each year with 238 not in favour. A total of 11 of the 13 iwi (85
per cent) responded to this proposal with 9 in supporting the proposal.
47. The graph below gives an overview of the responses to
this question from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area.
|
Proceed with the proposal to increase our operating budget by
around $20 million each year
|
Do not proceed with the proposal
|
Other
|
I don't know
|
Total
|
|
Individuals
|
391
|
229
|
35
|
89
|
744
|
|
Organisation
|
11
|
9
|
0
|
2
|
22
|
Key themes
48. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· support for the proposed rate to maintain and improve
storm water infrastructure/network
· retain the investment from this rate for areas affected
by the recent weather events
· work in partnership with mana whenua iwi to understand
the flood plains and resource consent area for new builds
· regardless of their stance, mana whenua encouraged
Auckland Council to help Māori help themselves by providing resourcing for
community led initiatives.
Key
Question 5: local board priorities
49. Aucklanders were
asked for feedback on the local impacts of the Annual Budget, feedback received
on this is outlined in the ‘Feedback received for the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local
Board for 2023/2024’ section above.
Key
Question 6: changes to other rates, fees and charges
50. Aucklanders were asked for feedback on proposals
to increase some targeted rates and other
regulatory fees and charges as set out below. If the changes are not
made, then general rates may need to be higher than proposed.
Waste management rates changes
51. The proposal included
· a 10.6 per cent increase to the base rate and targeted rate
charges for non-standard refuse bins (in the former Auckland (ACC) and Manukau
(MCC) city council areas)
· introduction of a fee for swapping bin sizes
· extension of the food scraps targeted rate to the new
areas that will receive the service this year.
Changes to other rates, fees
and charges
52. The proposal included
· re-prioritisation of additional bus service expenditure
which was planned to be funded by the Climate Action Targeted Rate (CATR) for
the 2023/2024 year
· Swimming Pool/Spa Pool Fencing Compliance Targeted Rate:
increases to reflect the actual costs of the service, and an increase in the
fee for follow up inspections
· amendment to Community Occupancy Guidelines
· changes to the Rodney Drainage District Targeted Rate
· establishment of a Business Improvement District (BID)
and BID targeted rate for Silverdale
· changes to animal management fees
· changes to some building and resource consenting fees
· changes to other regulatory fees such as food licensing
registration, micro-mobility operator fees and swimming pool inspections
· changes to cemetery fees
· review of fees for bookable spaces in council managed
pool and leisure facilities.
53. Of the 2,997 feedback on this question, 1,587 were in
support of the proposed increase. Six out of 13 (46 per cent) mana whenua
entities elected to respond to this question. For those who elected to respond,
there is general support. Four entities elected either “Do Not
Support,” “Other,” or “I don’t know” in
response to the proposals.
54. The graphs below
give an overview of the responses to this question from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area.
|
Individuals
|
|
|
|
|
|
Waste Management Rates
Change
|
Support
|
Do not support
|
Other
|
I don't know
|
|
Cost changes in waste
management
|
267
|
244
|
9
|
65
|
|
Introduce a one-off fee
of $40 for those residents wishing to change their bin size
|
380
|
160
|
6
|
39
|
|
Extend the food scraps
targeted rate to the new areas that will receive the service this year
|
342
|
128
|
16
|
89
|
|
Changes to other rates
|
Support
|
Do not support
|
Other
|
I don't know
|
|
Swimming Pool/Spa Pool
Fencing Compliance Targeted Rate
|
277
|
238
|
7
|
56
|
|
Change which bus
services are funded by the Climate Action Targeted Rate
|
255
|
188
|
11
|
112
|
|
Organisations
|
|
|
|
|
|
Waste Management Rates
Change
|
Support
|
Do not support
|
Other
|
I don't know
|
|
Cost changes in waste
management
|
12
|
8
|
0
|
3
|
|
Introduce a one-off fee
of $40 for those residents wishing to change their bin size
|
19
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
|
Extend the food scraps
targeted rate to the new areas that will receive the service this year
|
12
|
4
|
0
|
3
|
|
Changes to other rates
|
Support
|
Do not support
|
Other
|
I don't know
|
|
Swimming Pool/Spa Pool
Fencing Compliance Targeted Rate
|
13
|
6
|
0
|
3
|
|
Change which bus
services are funded by the Climate Action Targeted Rate
|
10
|
6
|
1
|
5
|
Other
matters for feedback
55. Aucklanders were
asked to feedback on the Tūpuna Maunga Authority Operational Plan
2023/2024 which sets out a framework in which the council must carry out the
routine management of 14 Tūpuna Maunga.
56. Four mana whenua entities gave feedback on the Tūpuna
Maunga Authority Operational Plan which included Te Ākitai Waiohua
Settlement Trust, Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust, Te
Whakakitenga o Waikato Incorporated and Ngaati Whanaunga Incorporated Society.
The response included that the Plan has been
well consulted and provides a good example
of co-governance in action as it comprises land subject to Crown redress that
wana whenua have shared with all Aucklanders.
57. Aucklanders were
also asked what else is important to them and if they had any feedback on any
other issues.
Key themes
|
Themes
|
No. of
comments.
|
Other
comments
|
|
Regional
community places and services
|
42
|
1
|
|
Governance
and support
|
30
|
0
|
|
General
comments about the plan
|
30
|
3
|
|
Regional
arts, culture and events
|
27
|
1
|
|
General
financial strategy
|
22
|
1
|
|
Regional
parks, sport and rec
|
20
|
1
|
|
Environmental
services
|
17
|
0
|
|
Regional
libraries
|
16
|
0
|
|
Strategic
assets
|
13
|
0
|
|
Transport
(public transport)
|
12
|
0
|
Annual Budget 2023/2024 related policies
The following proposals were
consulted on alongside the Annual Budget:
Revenue and
Financing Policy
58. The proposal to
pause the Long-term Differential Strategy (LTDS) for one year would require an
amendment to the Revenue and Financing Policy.
59. Under
the current rating policy, businesses pay a greater share of rates than
non-business properties. Businesses make more use of council services like
transport and stormwater. They also place more demand on these services.
Council previously decided that the level of business rates is too high and
should be reduced gradually over time. The LTDS currently lowers the total
amount of general rates (UAGC and value-based general rate) for businesses in
equal steps, from 31 per cent in 2022/2023 to 25.8 per cent by 2037/2038.
Feedback
60. 146 submissions
were received on the proposal regionally. Of these, 99 supported the proposal
and 41 did not support the proposal. A further six either provided another
response or did not know. Comments from those in support included businesses
being in a position to afford the increase and the impact of rates on
residential ratepayers.
61. Responses from
those who did not support the proposal included the view that business rates
are too high.
62. Eight of the 146
responses were from people who identified as Māori with four in support of
the proposal, three not in support and one who did not know.
63. The Property Council did not support the proposal citing
concern for increased costs on businesses and business rates being too high.
Māori Land
Rates Remission and Postponement Policy
64. The Council is
proposing to amend the Māori Land Rates Remission and Postponement Policy
to provide a partial remission of rates to general title papakāinga, where
that land is:
· protected
from being sold out of Māori ownership
· for
the sole use of hapū/iwi (tribe).
65. This recognises the
similarities between these properties and papakāinga on Māori
freehold land. The proposed remission would apply a discount of up to 10 per
cent of the rateable land value. This is similar to what is applied to
Māori freehold land.
Feedback
66. There were 40
submissions from individuals received regionally. Of these 20 were in support
of the proposal and 20 did not support the proposal. Responses in support
included the positive benefits to Māori in retaining land. Responses from
those who did not support included Māori not having special treatment, and
concern about the costs to other Aucklanders.
67. Eight of the 40 responses were from individuals who
identified as Māori, all of who supported the proposal. Ngāti
Whātua Ōrākei also submitted in support of the proposal.
Local board advocacy
68. Local boards can also provide approved advocacy
initiatives which considers the consultation feedback above. This allows the
Governing Body to consider these advocacy items when making decisions on the
Annual Budget 2023/2024 to the Governing Body in June.
69. The advocacy initiatives approved by the local board will
be included as an appendix to the 2023/2024 Local Board Agreement.
Local board input on regional topics in the Annual Budget
2023/2024
70. 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 the council’s proposed Annual Budget 2023/2024, proposed changes
to the Revenue and Financing Policy and Māori Land Rates Remission and
Postponement Policy.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
71. The decisions recommended in this report are part of the
Annual Budget 2023/2024 and local board agreement process to approve funding
and expenditure over the next year.
72. Projects allocated funding or proposed to have reduced
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 the
council’s reporting requirements.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
73. The Annual Budget 2023/2024 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
74. The local board’s decisions and feedback are being
sought in this report.
75. 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 Governing Body workshops
on the Annual Budget.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
76. 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.
77. 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.
78. Analysis provided of consultation feedback received on
the proposed Annual Budget includes submissions made by 13 of the 19 mana
whenua entities in Auckland.
79. 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.
80. The Annual Budget 2023/2024 and related policies includes
a proposed amendment to the Māori Land
Rates Remission and Postponement Policy covered in the ‘Annual Budget related policies’ section above.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
81. 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.
82. The local board also provides input to regional plans and
policies. There is information in the council’s consultation material for
each proposal with the financial implications of each option outlined for
consideration.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
83. The council must adopt its Annual Budget, which includes
local board agreements, by 30 June 2023. In order to meet this timeframe, the
local board is required to make recommendations on these local matters for the
Annual Budget by mid-May 2023 and present to the Governing Body to make
decisions on key items to be included in the Annual Budget on 8 June 2023.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
84. The local board will approve its local board agreement
and corresponding work programmes in June 2023.
85. Recommendations and feedback from the local board will be
provided to the Governing Body for consideration in its decision-making.
86. The final Annual Budget 2023/2024 (including local board
agreements) will be adopted by the Governing Body on 29 June 2023.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩
|
Input on the proposed regional topics in the Annual
Budget 2023/2024 to the Governing Body
|
23
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Shoma Prasad –
Engagement Advisor – Local Board Engagement Advisor
|
|
Authoriser
|
Manoj Ragupathy - Local Area Manager
|
