I hereby give notice that an extraordinary meeting of the Papakura Local Board will be held on:
Date: Time: Meeting Room: Venue:
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Wednesday, 10 May 2023 4:00pm Local Board
Chambers |
Papakura Local Board
OPEN AGENDA
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MEMBERSHIP
Chairperson |
Brent Catchpole |
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Deputy Chairperson |
Jan Robinson |
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Members |
Felicity Auva'a |
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George Hawkins |
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Kelvin Hieatt |
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Andrew Webster |
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(Quorum 3 members)
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Isobelle Robb Infocouncil Democracy Advisor
4 May 2023
Contact Telephone: Email: isobelle.robb@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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Papakura Local Board 10 May 2023 |
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1 Nau mai | Welcome 5
2 Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies 5
3 Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest 5
4 Te Matapaki Tūmatanui | Public Forum 5
5 Papakura Local Board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2023/2024 7
1 Nau mai | Welcome
The Chair will lead the meeting in prayer.
At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.
3 Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest
Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.
4 Te Matapaki Tūmatanui | Public Forum
A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.
At the close of the agenda no requests for public forum had been received.
Papakura Local Board 10 May 2023 |
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Papakura Local Board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2023/2024
File No.: CP2023/05279
Te take mō te pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To receive consultation feedback from the Papakura Local Board area on:
· proposed priorities and activities for the Papakura 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 Papakura 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 41,147 submissions in total across the region and 934 submissions from the Papakura local board area.
7. There is support for the local priorities for the Papakura local board area, with 74 per cent of respondents supporting all or most of the priorities.
8. The top four local priorities to maintain funding for are:
· environmental restoration, pest control, community climate action and sustainability
· protection and restoration of local waterways
· youth programmes
· arts and culture facilities and programmes.
9. In the Annual Budget process, there are financial matters where local boards provide recommendations to the Governing Body for consideration or decision-making. This includes any local board advocacy initiatives. The Governing Body will consider these items as part of the Annual Budget decision-making process in June 2023.
10. Local boards have a statutory responsibility to provide input into regional strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws. This report provides an opportunity for the local board to provide input on council’s proposed Annual Budget 2023/2024.
Recommendation/s
That the Papakura Local Board:
a) receive consultation feedback on the proposed Papakura 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 Papakura 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
11. Each financial year Auckland Council must have a local board agreement (as agreed between the Governing Body and the local board) for each local board area. The Papakura Local Board Agreement sets out how the council will reflect the priorities in the Papakura 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.
12. The local board agreements 2023/2024 will form part of Auckland Council’s Annual Budget 2023/2024.
13. 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.
14. 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
15. This report includes analysis of consultation feedback, any local matters to be recommended to the Governing Body and seeks input on regional topics in the proposed Annual Budget 2023/2024.
Consultation feedback overview
16. As part of the public consultation, Auckland Council used a variety of methods and channels to reach and engage a broad cross section of Aucklanders to gain their feedback and input into regional and local topics.
17. In total, Auckland Council received feedback from 41,147 people in the consultation period. This feedback was received through:
· written feedback – 36,659 hard copy (12 per cent) and online forms (70 per cent), emails (five per cent) and letters/other (two per cent)
· in person – 4,488 pieces of feedback through online Have Your Say events (five Council staff supported events and two elected member led events of which were held in the Papakura Local Board area).
18. 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 Papakura Local Board for 2023/2024
19. Six hundred and seventy-eight (678) submissions were received on Papakura Local Board’s priorities for 2023/2024.
20. Six submissions were received from mana whenua iwi with interests in the Papakura Local Board area, and feedback was also received through an Ara Kōtui hui and the Huakina Marae Forum.
21. Twenty-two submissions were received from organisations, of which ten were from local organisations that commented on local priorities.
22. Consultation feedback on local board priorities will be considered by the local board when approving their local board agreement in June 2023.
Key priorities in Papakura Local Board Area in 2023/2024
23. The Papakura Local Board consulted on the following priorities for 2023/2024:
· with the number of businesses growing in the Takanini Area, the board intends to continue to support the Takanini Business Association towards a possible establishment of a Business Improvement District (BID) programme
· provide free large community events supporting greater community cohesion after the COVID-19 lockdowns over recent years
· continue funding the removal of juvenile mangroves in the Pahurehure Inlet
· the board intends to continue to fund the Papakura Anzac Day dawn service and Drury Anzac event
· partnerships with mana whenua and mataawaka are valued, the board intends to continue funding Māori aspirations, supporting Papakura Māori Wardens, Māori-led initiatives and valuing Mātauranga to improve social and economic outcomes.
24. The majority of local respondents support most (46 per cent) or all (28 per cent) priorities.
25. Ngāti Tamaoho would like a constant focus on our people and te taiao (environment), enduring long term solutions, and budget that adds value and impact to the lives of people and the environment.
26. Ngāti Te Ata gave feedback that ‘arts and culture’ and ‘environment’ especially waterways and planting are high priorities.
27. Feedback from Ara Kōtui included:
· initiatives with direct Māori outcomes are a priority
· there is a need for meaningful indicators to measure the effectiveness of initiatives designed to deliver to Māori outcomes
· Māori would like to be involved in the design and delivery of Māori outcomes-focused initiatives
· Council processes that group feedback from individual iwi into ‘mana whenua’ feedback are inappropriate
· to ‘pause’ initiatives with zero budgets and retain line items in work programme to reinstate when funding allows.
28. Feedback from the Huakina Marae Forum included:
· no cuts to funding for Māori outcome initiatives – partnership projects and initiatives that benefit Māori
· that the local board consider how to bring Te Tiriti o Waitangi ‘partnership’ to life
· that the local board consider an equity lens (to achieve positive outcomes for Māori) when making decisions
· Māori outcomes are best achieved through involving Māori in design and delivery of initiatives
· request that naming, including road naming, be appropriate to the area and the heritage of the area, and reflect tangata whenua status and te ao Māori values
· ongoing regular engagement from board members with Huakina Marae Forum.
Responding to the budget challenge
29. 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 Papakura Local Board to reduce its planned operating spend by $865,800.
30. 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.
31. The top four priorities to retain funding for were:
· environmental restoration, pest control, community climate action and sustainability
· protection and restoration of local waterways
· youth programmes
· arts and culture facilities and programmes.
32. The table below gives an overview of the responses from the Papakura Local Board area.
Key themes
33. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· young people/youth programmes – youth are the future
· concerns budget cuts will affect local community adversely and remove community cohesion
· there needs to continue to be funding to support environmental and community-led conservation initiatives. We have come a long way in the past four years, and there is a lot of ground that has been gained, at risk of being lost
· support for libraries as important community hubs and place of connection for all ages
· council needs to get back to basics.
34. Papakura Youth Council consulted with rangatahi to identify their priorities. Of the 60 rangatahi who gave feedback on this question at the youth focus groups held at Rosehill College and AGC Strathallan College events, the top priorities were:
· protection and restoration of local waterways
· local community events
· open space low/no mow areas.
35. The priorities with least support from youth included:
· environmental education
· environmental volunteer programmes
· investigation into plan and policy development.
Information on submitters
36. The tables and graphs below indicate the source of submissions.
37. Most submissions came from individuals (99 per cent), via online (54 per cent).
38. The graphs below indicate the demographic categories people identified with. This only relates to those submitters who provided demographic information.
Key themes
39. Key themes of note across the feedback received (through written, in-person and social media channels) included:
· in times of low budgets, we shouldn't be funding "nice to haves" such as ANZAC day services. We should be looking at the necessary items such as climate resilience and environmental projects
· arts/community/culture/libraries very important to the community
· crime is a concern
· lack of community support for mangrove removal
· public transport and congestion.
Requests for local funding
40. Requests for local funding through the Annual Budget 2023/2024 consultation included:
· Wattle Downs cycle and pedestrian bridge
· assistance with dog and cat neutering programmes
· a new Manurewa/Papakura pool/aquatic centre
· more bike lanes, speed controls around schools and traffic calming initiatives
· the Pahurehure Inlet should be dug out to give deep water channels for preservation of estuarine ecology as well as making it available for water activities.
· Maintenance, rubbish and weed removal and native plantings
· Mill Road expansion.
Overview of feedback received on regional topics in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 from the Papakura Local Board area
41. 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:
· operating spending reductions
· amending Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) Shareholding Policy
· managing rates and debt
· storm response
· local board priorities (covered in ‘Feedback received on the Papakura Local Board for 2023/2024’ section above)
· changes to other rates, fees and charges.
42. Submitters were also encouraged to give feedback on any of the other matters included in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 consultation document.
43. The submissions received from the Papakura 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
44. 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 Papakura 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.
45. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Papakura Local Board area which includes feedback from 631 individuals, six organisations and three proforma submissions. Of the individual responses 34 per cent of respondents do not want to proceed with any reductions, 32 per cent only some reductions and 23 per cent want to proceed with the proposal as is.
Key themes
46. Key themes of note from those who support the proposed reductions included:
· we cannot go on spending beyond our means, and higher rate increases are not affordable by a large percentage of people who live in Auckland
· we need to be fiscally prudent to ensure the long term sustainability of the council operation. Cutting the budget is painful but necessary
· just do the basics well.
47. Key themes of note from those who do not support some reductions included:
· public transport should be increased, moving around Auckland is a huge problem. AT should provide reliable services back to the normal level. This should be a priority
· Tātaki Auckland Unlimited facilitates investment opportunities, supports businesses to grow and succeed in Auckland, and is vital to improving the NZ economy and job creation
· local board funding is vital for our community. Reducing funding would mean not being able to support communities to thrive
· contestable grants, regional services, and local board funded activities are particularly important in making Auckland more liveable.
48. Key themes of note from those who do not support any reductions included:
· the suggested reductions will further disadvantage Auckland's already disadvantaged populations - disabled people, young people, cultural groups, identity groups, homeless populations
· do not defund Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)
· do not reduce public transport budgets
· budget cuts to proposed areas will affect Aucklanders’ health and wellbeing
· reduction in investment and tourism will impact businesses and community
· don’t cut essential services – arts, culture, community, youth, education and events
· I wouldn't proceed with any of these reductions as all of them would make Auckland a less liveable city, and are the kind of services I expect councils to spend rates on
· consider raising rates rather than budget cuts.
49. Mana whenua iwi with interests in the Papakura Local Board area gave feedback as follows:
Mana Whenua Entity |
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Proceed with proposed reductions |
· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board |
Do not proceed with some reductions and instead further increase rates and/or debt |
· Ngaati Whanaunga Incorporated Society · Ngāti Tamaoho Settlement Trust · Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust |
Do not proceed with any reductions and instead increase rates and/or debt |
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Other
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· Te Ākitai Waiohua Settlement Trust |
I don’t know |
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50. Ngāti Tamaoho support reductions to funding of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, while ensuring the procurement of Māori business remains across all of Auckland Council; and that Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival continues. Continuing to invest in youth and intergenerational elements, homelessness, community led solutions and marae-led recovering are priorities. Support retaining local board funding, regional contestable grants, and early childhood education funding.
51. Te Ākitai Waiohua have concerns about accessibility for Māori, loss of staff with specific skills and capacity, and potential detrimental impacts on relationships between iwi and Auckland Council. Their suggestion is to:
· develop more long term, enduring solutions
· build on models successfully employed during COVID-19 and use funding to help Māori to help themselves.
52. Ngaati Whanaunga – support retaining funding for local boards, regional services and regional contestable grants as these help people and environment to thrive.
53. Auckland wide organisations that wanted their feedback considered by the Papakura Local Board included:
· Asian Family Services – opposed to cuts to regional community services
· Beautification Trust – maintain funding for flood resilience using green infrastructure; actions that reduce transport emissions
· New Zealand Cruise Association – opposed to cuts to funding for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU)
· Save Our Venues – opposed to cuts to TAU and regional services, concerned about impact on live music, music venues, music programmes and music artists, and wider impact on community well-being through music
· Youth Town – retain funding for youth related initiatives.
Key Question 2: Amending Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) Shareholding Policy
54. 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.
55. 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.
The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Papakura Local Board area which includes feedback from 641 individuals and six organisations. Across the board these submitters the responses were even with 27 per cent wanting to proceed with proposal, 30 per cent proceed with partial sale and 31 per cent with no sale of shares.
56. Key themes of note across the feedback received from those in support of sale included:
· reducing debt servicing Is prudent at the moment
· seems to be the most sensible option
57. Key themes of note from those in support of a partial sale included:
· airport is a key strategic asset that plays a key role in driving revenue/growth; it is good to have some control over it
· selling some shares will reduce debt and also keep some share of this asset
· when the debt is paid off, we will benefit from dividends
· because it seems the best compromise in the circumstances
58. Key themes of note from those not in support of the sale included:
· selling shares is short-sighted, once sold the shares are lost forever, with no chance for future dividends
· not a good time to sell shares
· income generating – why sell?
· keep strategic asset.
59. Mana whenua iwi with interests in the Papakura local board area gave feedback as follows:
Mana Whenua Entity |
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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 |
· Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board
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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 |
· Ngaati Whanaunga Incorporated Society · Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust · Ngāti Tamaoho Settlement Trust |
Don’t change the policy, keep all our shares, and further increase rates and/or debt |
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Other |
· Te Ākitai Waiohua Settlement Trust |
I don’t know |
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60. Ngāti Tamaoho – support partial sale of shares, while also seeing the shares as a stable long-term investment, with dividends that can support the recovery of the city.
61. Te Ākitai Waiohua – request an evaluation of the merits of the proposal by widening the lens beyond finance only to also factor people and environment into the equation, acknowledging that success is about much more than money.
Key Question 3: Managing rates and debt
62. 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.
63. 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.
64. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Papakura Local Board area.
Key themes
65. Key themes of note across the feedback received from those in support of the rates proposal included:
· seems like a small increase
· good amount overall
· sensible approach
· if paying higher rates means less cuts for community this is supported.
66. Key themes of note from those in support a lower general rates included:
· rates too high already
· cost of living crisis
· live within your means.
67. Mana whenua iwi with interests in the Papakura local board area gave feedback as follows:
Response |
Mana Whenua Entity |
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) |
· Ngaati Whanaunga Incorporated Society · Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board · Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust |
Set higher general rates increase |
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Make greater use of debt |
· Ngāti Tamaoho Settlement Trust
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Set lower general rates increase and make greater use of debt |
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Make less use of debt and set higher general rates increase |
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Other
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· Te Ākitai Waiohua Settlement Trust |
I don’t know |
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68. Ngāti Tamaoho – support lower general rates and greater use of debt; that a cap be set for any increases once debt is under control; need to decrease the stress caused by cumulative ‘tax’ increases to individuals and whānau, including a strategy from the council to support those that can’t afford proposed rates increases.
69. Ngaati Whanaunga – there is a need to accommodate the needs of families that are already struggling financially.
70. Ngaati Whanaunga Incorporated Society suggested that the Auckland Council should be reviewed by external auditors to provide an independent view on Auckland Council effectiveness and efficiency.
Key Question 4: Storm response
71. 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).
72. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Papakura Local Board area.
Key themes
73. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· future proof Auckland for climate change/crisis
· Auckland Council response was poor
· fix it and start now
· infrastructure changes/upgrades need money
· people deserve safe homes and work places
· is it enough?
· investment is needed but also look really closely at where and how buildings and infrastructure are allowed to be built, we can’t stop climate change we have to adapt, it starts now.
74. Mana whenua iwi with interests in the Papakura local board area gave feedback as follows:
Response |
Mana Whenua Entity |
Proceed with the proposal to increase our operating budget by around $20 million each year |
· Ngaati Whanaunga Incorporated Society · Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board · Ngāti Tamaoho Settlement Trust · Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust |
Do not proceed with the proposal |
|
Other |
· Te Ākitai Waiohua Settlement Trust |
Don’t know |
|
75. Ngāti Tamaoho would prefer marae to be funded to provide community-led initiatives to support the community as they have intimate knowledge of the needs of communities and have provided ample evidence that they can meet those needs.
76. Ngaati Whanaunga submitted there is a need to work closely with iwi and local communities to find long-term solutions, and to proactively address stormwater requirements.
Key Question 5: local board priorities
77. 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 Papakura Local Board for 2023/2024’ section above.
Key Question 6: Changes to other rates, fees and charges
78. 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.
79. The tables below gives a summary of responses:
INDIVIDUALS & ORGANISATIONS |
||||
Waste Management Rates Change |
Support |
Do not support |
Other |
I don't know |
Cost changes in waste management |
276 |
242 |
13 |
73 |
Introduce a one-off fee of $40 for those residents wishing to change their bin size |
335 |
146 |
6 |
44 |
Extend the food scraps targeted rate to the new areas that will receive the service this year |
363 |
103 |
8 |
58 |
Changes to other rates |
Support |
Do not support |
Other |
I don't know |
Swimming Pool/Spa Pool Fencing Compliance Targeted Rate |
338 |
200 |
9 |
59 |
Change which bus services are funded by the Climate Action Targeted Rate |
275 |
172 |
15 |
124 |
Waste management rates changes
80. 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).
81. Introduction of a fee for swapping bin sizes – majority in support with 335 submitters.
82. Extension of the food scraps targeted rate to the new areas that will receive the service this year – majority in support with 363 submitters.
83. Ngāti Tamaoho would prefer investment in home composting systems and mara kai (community gardens) as people directly benefit from these, and they are a long-term approach.
Changes to other rates, fees and charges
84. 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 was supported by 274 submitters.
85. 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 was supported by 274 submitters.
86. Amendment to Community Occupancy Guidelines comments received:
· Community Leisure Management (CLM) commented ‘This proposal will impact our club network significantly. Most clubs operate on very low margins, and few have any reserves post COVID-19. Starting each financial year needing to find $1,300 is potentially an insurmountable challenge’
· any increases to community leases will directly impact our ability to deliver youth programmes to the community
· community leases are held by groups who may well not be able to sustain rent increases.
87. There was no local feedback on other changes in the proposal including changes to the Rodney Drainage District Targeted Rate; establishment of a Business Improvement District (BID) and BID targeted rate for Silverdale; animal management fees; building and resource consenting fees; regulatory fees such as food licensing registration, micro-mobility operator fees and swimming pool inspections; cemetery fees.
88. In relation to the review of fees for bookable spaces in council managed pool and leisure facilities, a submission was received from CLM Sport in opposition.
Other matters for feedback
89. 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.
90. Four comments were received to discontinue funding and providing comments that reflect a lack of understanding of the council’s obligations to Māori.
91. Mana whenua iwi with interests in the Papakura local board area gave additional general feedback as follows.
92. Ngaati Whanaunga:
· request to reconfigure the mana whenua funding model to place a focus on engaging mana whenua to invest in their communities and environment where they need it most
· to look past the budget decision figures to remember the importance of enhancing the wellbeing of people and the environment
· request to work with them to enhance Māori economic development, sustainable growth planning on Māori land, and for Māori communities.
93. Te Ākitai Waiohua:
· Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity and holistic principles need to be fundamental to all decision-making
· more effort is needed to consider alternatives that better reflect needs of people and the environment, and addresses equity.
94. Aucklanders were also asked what else is important to them and if they had any feedback on any other issues.
· consider selling golf courses
· equity lens should be used
· cost of living crisis comments.
Annual Budget 2023/2024 related policies
The following proposals were consulted on alongside the Annual Budget:
Revenue and Financing Policy
95. The proposal to pause the Long-Term Differential Strategy (LTDS) for one year would require an amendment to the Revenue and Financing Policy.
96. 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
97. One hundred and forty-six (146) submissions were received on the proposal. 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.
98. Responses from those who did not support the proposal included the view that business rates are too high.
99. 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.
100. 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
101. 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).
102. This recognises the similarities between these properties and papakāinga on Māori freehold land.
103. 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
104. 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.
105. Eight of the 40 responses were from individuals who identified as Māori, all of whom supported the proposal. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei also submitted in support of the proposal.
Local board advocacy
106. 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.
107. 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
108. 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
109. 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.
110. 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
111. 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
112. 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.
113. 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
114. 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.
115. 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.
116. 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.
117. 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.
118. 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.
119. Ngā Mātārae led the Council-wide approach to engagement with Māori entities. This included:
· preliminary email to mana whenua iwi and mataawaka organisations providing information about the upcoming budget
· briefing workshops led by technical leads to clarify the proposal and answer preliminary questions. This included two workshops for mana whenua, and two for mataawaka organisations, both occurring prior to the public consultation period
· one-on-one workshops
· technical support provided for those who needed help preparing their oral and/or written submissions was provided through a consultant
· oral submissions from mana whenua were presented to the Governing Body Have Your Say event on 24 March 2023.
120. Thirteen of the 19 (68 per cent) mana whenua entities responded to the Auckland Council’s proposals for the Annual Budget 2023/2024. Out of a total of 93,925 people who affiliate to mana whenua entities in the Auckland Region, 69,662 (74 per cent) people are represented by the feedback received.
121. Mana whenua feedback comprised 11 oral submissions to the Governing Body, and 13 written submissions.
122. Six mana whenua entities and eight mataawaka organisations provided informal feedback received during the briefing workshops and one-on-one workshops.
123. Papakura Local Board engaged locally with Māori through:
· an Ara Kōtui hui focussed on the Annual Budget (combined with the other southern local boards and iwi mana whenua hui)
· attending a hui of the Huakina Marae Forum.
124. One hundred and fifty-six (156) submissions from people who identify as Māori were received from people residing in the Papakura Local Board area.
Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea
Financial implications
125. 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.
126. 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
127. 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
128. The local board will approve its local board agreement and corresponding work programmes in June 2023.
129. Recommendations and feedback from the local board will be provided to the Governing Body for consideration in its decision-making.
130. The final Annual Budget 2023/2024 (including local board agreements) will be adopted by the Governing Body on 29 June 2023.
Attachments
There are no attachments for this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
Authors |
Melissa Bidois - Local Board Engagement Advisor |
Authorisers |
Carol McKenzie-Rex - Local Area Manager Franklin Manurewa Papakura |