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Waitematā
Local Board
09 May 2023
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Local
Board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2023/2024
File No.: CP2023/05213
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
receive consultation feedback from the Waitematā Local Board area on:
· proposed
priorities and activities for the Waitematā 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 they 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.
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 Waitematā Local Board’s proposed priorities for
2023/2024 to be included in their local board agreement and proposed
local activities to discontinue, reduce spending on, or increase fees to meet
the Governing Body’s proposed reduction in local board funding.
6. Auckland
Council received 41147 submissions in total across the
region and 2972 submissions from the Waitematā
local board area.
7. 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 any local board advocacy initiatives. The Governing Body will consider these items as part of the Annual
Budget decision-making process in June 2023.
8. 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 Waitematā Local
Board:
a) receive consultation feedback on the
proposed Waitematā Local Board priorities and activities for 2023/2024
including proposed local activities to discontinue, reduce spending on,
or increase fees, to meet the reduction in local board funding proposed by the
Governing Body.
b) receive consultation feedback on regional topics in the Annual
Budget 2023/2024 and related policies from people and organisations based in
the Waitematā local board area.
c) provide input on regional topics in the proposed Annual Budget
2023/2024 and related policies to the Governing Body.
d) provide advocacy on any local initiatives for
the Annual Budget 2023/2024 to the Governing Body.
Horopaki
Context
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
Waitematā Local Board Agreement sets out how the Council will reflect the
priorities in the Waitematā 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 publicly 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.
12. 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.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
13. 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 2023/2024.
Consultation
feedback overview
14. 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.
15. In
total, Auckland Council received feedback from 41,147 people in the
consultation period. This feedback was received through:
· written
feedback – 35,720 hard copy and online forms, emails, and letters.
· in
person – 4,488 pieces of feedback through Have Your Say events (1 of
which was held in the Waitematā local board area, along with three drop-in
sessions).
16. All feedback will be made available on an Auckland
Council webpage called “Submissions on the Annual Budget 2023/2024”
and will be accessible from 26 April 2023 through the following link: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/submissions-annual-budget-2023-2024
Feedback received for the Waitematā
Local Board for 2023/2024
Key priorities in Waitematā Local Board Area in
2023/2024
17. The Waitematā Local Board consulted on the following
priorities for 2023/2024:
· Priority 1:
Continue our most effective water quality improvement and stream restoration
projects
· Priority
2: Adopt the final design for Leys
Institute Library and progress towards physical restoration of the building and
associated outdoor space
· Priority
3: Continue our most effective
ecological contracts, climate change mitigation, volunteer programming, and
plantings
· Priority
4: Maximise our capital renewals to enhance
our public spaces, such as aquatic facilities, playgrounds, and open spaces
· Priority
5: Prioritise programmes that support
community connection, safety, wellbeing, and empowerment.
· Priority
6: Investigate additional areas suitable
for low-mow/ no-mow programming to reduce emissions and maintenance costs and
improve soil quality and biodiversity for non-recreational open spaces.
18. 2,429 submissions were received (accounting for
respondents that answered this question) on Waitematā Local Board’s
priorities for 2023/2024, inclusive of both individual and organisation
responses. 80 per cent of individuals either supported all, or most of the
local priorities. 75 per cent of organisations supported all, or most of the
local priorities. 14 per cent of individuals either did not support most or did
not support any priorities. 13 per cent of organisations did not support most
or did not support any priorities. 19 per cent of submitters, inclusive of both
individuals and organisations selected ‘other’ in response.
19. Key Themes Included:
· Priority
1:
o Water
quality is critical for a healthy and resilient city, respondents equated this
priority with improvements to storm water mitigation and infrastructure, or
related direct improvements to water quality to overall improvements for
climate, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability, was considered a
non-negotiable by some submitters, Council has an obligation to pursue water
quality initiatives above all else
· Priority
2:
o Mixed
views on whether Leys Institute is a priority during a time of financial
uncertainty or reduction; respondents noted that perhaps seismic strengthening
only could continue, as opposed to a full re-design, respondents also noted its
heritage value and critical sense of place in the local community, though other
respondents noted whether its value was of equal importance as other more
widespread activities such as water quality improvements, some respondents
noted they would be prepared to pay a targeted rate
· Priority
3:
o Respondents
wanted to see a continued effort in ecological contracts, climate change
mitigation, and greater support for volunteers to provide even more value
benefit than already exists such as through Urban Ark; respondents expressed
concern that making reductions in these areas in a time of climate crisis,
including the recent storm damage, would be irresponsible or foolish; some
respondents did not know how to determine what is the ‘most
effective’ contract and what the local board meant by this, respondents
noted that water quality, climate change, and environmental restoration are
linked together
· Priority
4:
o mixed
views on whether it is the right time to be delivering capital renewals for
facilities and open spaces compared to storm damage remediation; respondents
expressed concern that there was not enough information to understand this
priority, respondents wondered whether this priority would include remedial
works for footpaths, drainage, and roads, expressed the board focus on safety
and remediating hazards as a primary aim, respondents also said how realistic
it was to do this in light of financial constraints
· Priority
5:
o strong
messaging from respondents that community connection, safety, wellbeing, and
empowerment is important to their views on whether Auckland is livable and
vibrant; concern about how we look after our homeless community in the central
city, and that reductions in arts and culture activities will negatively impact
on this priority to deliver outcomes; some respondents raised a contradiction
between this priority and proposed cuts to arts and culture, events, libraries,
community grants, and regional reductions to services such as CAB;
· Priority
6:
o respondents
expressed varying levels of support for low-mow/no-mow inclusive of the
possible economic savings, improved biodiversity, and investigating alternative
maintenance of open spaces that produces cost-effective outcomes; respondents
who did not support questioned the viability of no-mow/low-mow, how easy it is
to implement, the concern over weeds and fire hazards.
20. Consultation feedback on local board priorities will be
considered by the local board when approving their local board agreement
between 20-22 June 2023.
Responding
to the budget challenge
21. 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 Waitematā Local Board
to reduce its planned operating spend by $840,000.
22. 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.
23. Question 5B
of the Consultation Document asked the following: If funding for local board
activities is reduced, which three of our services do you not want to reduce
funding for? (i.e. which are most important to you?)
24. Waitematā Local Board consulted on the following
activities in response to the budget challenge question:
· Opening
hours and services at libraries
· Programmes
in art facilities and community centres
· Events
e.g. Parnell Festival of Roses and Event Partnerships
· Community
delivery/ programmes e.g. community networks, youth, and arts
· Grants
e.g. Community Grants and Accommodation Grants
· Water
quality e.g. Te Wai Ōrea lake and wetland restoration
· Environmental
education e.g. Schools treasuring Waiōrea
· Environmental
restoration and pest control e.g. Waipapa Stream restoration
· Community
climate action and sustainability e.g. Low Carbon Lifestyles
· Waste
minimisation e.g. Waitematā waste away
25. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from
the Waitematā Local Board area.
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.
Key themes
28. 1348 submitters commented on their choice of top three priorities.
Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· Libraries
- Libraries are seen as a taonga and must be protected, this is core council
service, provides a space all community can feel they belong and feel safe and
builds community connectedness, reductions would have a visible impact on the
community, as well as to the vulnerable communities, one comment about consider
‘dark day’ on Monday to align with galleries and cultural
institutions, support for programmes offered at the library, many comments were
against reductions to the central library rather than Grey Lynn.
· Community
programme delivery - Support for programmes for vulnerable and youth,
supporting the diverse cross section of the community, supporting arts to
embrace identity and migrant inclusion, support community cohesion, support for
Citizens Advice Bureaux services.
· Ellen
Melville and Toi Tu - Arts and culture makes a thriving city, some confusion
about what “arts” mean in this context, comments about Studio One
Toi Tu being a professional stepping-stone for practitioners, concerns that
reductions to arts funding will impact on the arts industry that is already
vulnerable after COVID and these groups survival, Ellen Melville supports
community cohesion particularly during storm events, arts and libraries are
crucial for equity.
· Protection
and restoration of local waterway - Focus on projects that have tangible
outcomes, reductions would have a negative impact; respondents felt that water quality was something that Council
could not compromise on, and linked improved water quality to an overall
improved and resilient environment, biodiversity, and protection against future
storm events; some respondents equated this directly to stormwater
infrastructure improvements; many respondents felt that water quality was poor
and that to not continue funding works in this area would be disastrous for the
future of Auckland.
· Environmental
restoration and pest control - Focus on projects that have tangible outcomes
and benefits many rather than education programmes that only target few.
· Community
climate action and sustainability -Comments that education only targets
few that are already converted and should be provided in schools by Ministry of
Education; respondents made a
link between climate action and other environmental priorities and felt this
encompassed both physical action such as volunteer groups but also an education
component. Respondents suggested this work was a priority due to being in a
climate crisis. Some respondents suggested elements of this are for central
government, or too ‘wishy washy’ with not enough information on
specific climate change actions.
· Respondents supported community-led events where possible
but highlighted that Council funding is often required for events to proceed in
some fashion; more events that promote community connection and wellbeing are
needed, not less. Some respondents suggested areas such as Parnell could do
without the Festival of Roses in favour of more activations in the City Centre;
respondents demonstrated a perception that events and activations are connected
to social wellbeing, sense of place and community, and vibrancy that the city
centre needs after COVID and the subsequent storm event.
· Respondents were concerned that any reductions to
community networks, youth delivery, or arts and culture programming would
negatively impact on the city centre and arts practitioners that rely on
Council funding to deliver services. Respondents supported funding for youth
programming to reduce anti-social behaviour, promote education opportunities,
and create future benefits for communities. Some respondents noted that these
areas should instead be the responsibility of central government.
· Some
respondents were confused and thought that the question was instead asking for
priority areas to be reduced, as opposed to continuing.
· Some
respondents felt that ‘core’ Council responsibilities include
facilities such as libraries, roading, footpaths, waterways, and that
arts/culture, and ‘wellbeing’ initiatives are not within scope.
· Respondents
demonstrated support for environmental programming and restoration activity
that has tangible, measurable benefits; some respondents questioned the
education-focused activities with schools and climate-change action targeting
behaviour as opposed to physical ecological works.
· Respondents
expressed support for activities and services that provide for the homeless
community, and youth.
· General support for waste minimization activities,
including progress on e-waste reduction. Respondents linked waste minimization
with better outcomes during storm events, flooding, and cleaner waterways. Some
respondents were unhappy that there was no apparent link between this priority
and the other environmentally focused outcomes.
· Respondents
shared support for the idea that they would instead be prepared to pay more
rates, as opposed to seeing services and activities reduced; felt it was unfair
to be forced to pick three activities to ‘save’ and let the rest
go; felt that the priority areas in Question 5 were misleading since then asked
in 5B to ‘sacrifice’ services.
Overview of feedback received on regional topics in the Annual
Budget 2023/2024 from the Waitematā Local Board area
29. 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 Waitematā Local Board for 2023/2024’ section above)
6. changes
to other rates, fees, and charges
30. Submitters
were also encouraged to give feedback on any of the other matters included in
the Annual Budget 2023/2024 consultation document.
31. The submissions received from the Waitematā 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
32. 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 Waitematā 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.
33. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to
this question from the Waitematā Local Board area.
34. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· 48%
of individuals did not support any reductions - preferred to pay more rates and
increase debt – comments were that reductions will affect community
well-being/ vibrancy (714), Increase rates (287), Address climate change (199).
· Key
themes across all responses to this question:
o 1499 comments that
did not support cuts to regional services
o 790 comments did not
support cuts to Tataki Auckland Unlimited – received the most comments
for supported cuts (41)
o 790 comments did not
support cuts to public transport
o 580 comments do not
support reductions to local budgets – provides local response to super
city, important for community and social cohesion
o 447 do not support
cuts to regional grants, 317 do not support cuts to Early Childhood Education
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% 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. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to
this question from the Waitematā Local Board area.
38. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· 43
per cent of individuals, and 40 per cent of organisations do not support
changing the policy – keep shares for future benefit and maintain control
and influence, or not the right time to sell
· 25
per cent support partial sale – comments support maintaining control and
influence but giving up some shares to generate revenue and meet fiscal
challenge
· 19
per cent support proposal to sell - comments within this generally supported
the proposal as it would mean no rates rise or help address immediate debt
Key
Question 3: Managing rates and debt
39. 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.
40. 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.
41. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to
this question from the Waitematā Local Board area.
Key themes
42. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· 22%
support proposed rates increase - most generally supported or increase rates .
· 19%
support higher rates – comments include rates increases are needed for
storm response and needed upgrades, rates not as high as other cities and
don’t want to burden future generations, disproportionately disadvantage
lower-income Aucklanders, Suggest that 7% increase should be minimum to match
CPI and inflation, suggestions of 13% increase to match Wellington, or
suggestions to significantly increase rates and create a fund for those who
genuinely can’t afford it.
· 8%
support higher rates and less debt – don’t want to burden future
generations, more debt is unsustainable
· 13%
support lower rates, higher debt – Makes sense to spread costs to future
generations who will benefit, increased rates would burden Auckland during a
difficult time
· 9%
support greater use of debt – long term crisis requires long term
support, keep rates low
· NETR
(Natural Environment Targeted Rate) and- WQTR (Water Quality Targeted Rate)
– most comments do not support pausing the NETR and WQTR revenue, this
would be irresponsible, concerns this would impact delivery of essential
projects, concerns about the storm and climate impact
· LTDS
(Long-Term Differential Strategy) – mixed levels of support, view that
businesses should pay more vs concerns that businesses already facing hardship
Key
Question 4: Storm response
43. 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).
44. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to
this question from the Waitematā Local Board area.
45. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· 79
per cent of individual respondents indicated their support for this proposal to
proceed. 69 per cent of organisations indicated their support for this proposal
to proceed.
· Some
respondents noted that central government should take a more active role in
supporting flood recovery and infrastructure repair; respondents were concerned
that this proposal equated to higher rates and were concerned about how this
would affect them; comments highlighted that Auckland Council has deferred
spending in this area resulting in the flood damage that occurred; respondents
felt the time to do this work was now in order to prepare for the future; some
respondents felt the proposal was not strong enough or lacked detail, and some
noted that climate change will result in more of these events occurring on a
regular basis and require more spending in this area to mitigated future
damage.
Key
Question 5: local board priorities
46. 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
Waitematā Local Board for 2023/2024’ section above.
Key
Question 6: changes to other rates, fees, and charges
47. 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
· 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
· 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
· animal management fees
· some building and resource consenting fees
· other regulatory fees such as food licensing
registration, micro-mobility operator fees and swimming pool inspections
· cemetery fees
· review of fees for bookable spaces in council managed
pool and leisure facilities.
48. The graphs
below give an overview of the responses to this question from the
Waitematā Local Board area.
49. Key themes of
note across the feedback received included:
· On
waste management rates changes, some respondents indicated that larger bin sizes
could lead to increased waste, not less.
· On
the one-off fee for residents wishing to change bin-size, some respondents felt
there should be no charge for opting to ‘downgrade’ to a smaller
bin for those who already produce minimal waste
· On
extending the food scraps targeted rate to new areas, respondents felt the food
scraps collection should be implemented in as many areas as is feasible,
associating food scraps collection with less waste going to landfill.
· On
changes to the swimming pool/spa pool fencing compliance targeted rate,
respondents felt that those who own swimming pools can afford to pay an
increased targeted rate
· On
changes to which bus services are funded by the Climate Action Targeted Rate,
respondents expressed concern and confusion about what they perceived as
services being reduced or cut from CATR in exchange for CATR funding being
diverted or redirected to other priorities. Respondents acknowledged that CATR
was established for a specific purpose to deliver on public transport services
and outcomes at an increased and more reliable frequency, along with walking,
cycling, and micro-mobility initiatives. Respondents felt they were unclear on
the information provided.
Other
matters for feedback
50. 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.
51. Aucklanders
were also asked what else is important to them and if they had any feedback on
any other issues.
Key themes
· Few
submitters commented on the Tūpuna Maunga Authority Operational Plan
2023/2024, but some respondents were concerned about mature trees being removed
from Maunga.
· Respondents
suggested Auckland Council should review its golf courses and determine which
assets to sell to offset debt and increase development opportunities and more
accessible green spaces.
· Respondents
overall expressed concern that reductions in local board budgets, regional
contestable grants, regional arts programming, and an ‘austerity’
approach would have a negative impact on Auckland’s long-term wellbeing.
· Respondents
questioned whether Auckland Council was taking the right approach with the
fiscal challenge and suggested that stronger rates rise, and more debt
borrowing would be more responsible than cutting services and activities at
both a regional and local level.
Annual Budget 2023/2024 related policies
The following proposals were
consulted on alongside the Annual Budget:
Revenue and Financing Policy
52. The proposal
to pause the Long-Term Differential Strategy (LTDS) for one year would require
an amendment to the Revenue and Financing Policy.
53. 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
54. 146
submissions were received on the proposal. Of these, 99 supported the proposal
and 41 did not support the proposal.
55. Comments from
those in support included businesses being able to afford the increase and the
impact of rates on residential ratepayers.
56. Responses
from those who did not support the proposal included the view that business
rates are too high.
57. 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
58. 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).
59. 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
60. There were 40
submissions from individuals. 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.
61. Eight of the
40 responses were from individuals who identified as Māori, all of whom
supported the proposal.
Local board advocacy
62. 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.
63. 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
64. 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
65. 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.
66. 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 rigorous reporting requirements.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
67. 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
68. 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 and policies.
69. 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
70. 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.
71. 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.
72. 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.
73. Ongoing conversations between local boards and Māori
will assist in understanding each other’s priorities and issues. This in
turn can influence and encourage Māori participation in the
council’s decision-making processes.
74. 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.
75. 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
76. 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.
77. 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
78. The council must adopt its Annual Budget, which includes
local board agreements, by 30 June 2023. 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
79. The local board will approve its local board agreement in
June 2023 and corresponding work programmes in July 2023.
80. Recommendations and feedback from the local board will be
provided to the Governing Body for consideration in its decision-making.
81. The final Annual Budget 2023/2024 (including local board
agreements) will be adopted by the Governing Body on 29 June 2023.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Nick Palmisano – Local Board Advisor
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Authorisers
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Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager
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