I hereby give notice that an extraordinary meeting of the Rodney Local Board will be held on:
Date: Time: Meeting Room: Venue:
|
Wednesday, 10 May 2023 10am Rodney Local
Board boardroom |
Rodney Local Board
OPEN AGENDA
|
MEMBERSHIP
Chairperson |
Brent Bailey |
|
Deputy Chairperson |
Louise Johnston |
|
Members |
Michelle Carmichael |
Geoff Upson |
|
Mark Dennis |
Ivan Wagstaff |
|
Tim Holdgate |
Guy Wishart |
|
Colin Smith |
|
(Quorum 5 members)
|
|
Ignacio Quinteros Democracy Advisor
5 May 2023
Contact Telephone: +64 21579781 Email: Ignacio.quinteros@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
|
Rodney Local Board 10 May 2023 |
|
1 Nau mai | Welcome 5
2 Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies 5
3 Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest 5
4 He Tamōtanga Motuhake | Leave of Absence 5
5 Te Mihi | Acknowledgements 5
6 Ngā Petihana | Petitions 5
7 Ngā Tono Whakaaturanga | Deputations 5
8 Te Matapaki Tūmatanui | Public Forum 5
9 Ngā Pakihi Autaia | Extraordinary Business 5
10 Local board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2023/2024 7
11 Te Whakaaro ki ngā Take Pūtea e Autaia ana | Consideration of
Extraordinary Items
1 Nau mai | Welcome
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 He Tamōtanga Motuhake | Leave of Absence
At the close of the agenda no requests for leave of absence had been received.
5 Te Mihi | Acknowledgements
At the close of the agenda no requests for acknowledgements had been received.
6 Ngā Petihana | Petitions
At the close of the agenda no requests to present petitions had been received.
7 Ngā Tono Whakaaturanga | Deputations
Standing Order 7.7 provides for deputations. Those applying for deputations are required to give seven working days notice of subject matter and applications are approved by the Chairperson of the Rodney Local Board. This means that details relating to deputations can be included in the published agenda. Total speaking time per deputation is ten minutes or as resolved by the meeting.
At the close of the agenda no requests for deputations had been received.
8 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.
9 Ngā Pakihi Autaia | Extraordinary Business
Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-
(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and
(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-
(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and
(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”
Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-
(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-
(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and
(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but
(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”
Rodney Local Board 10 May 2023 |
|
Local board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2023/2024
File No.: CP2023/05639
Te take mō te pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To receive consultation feedback from the Rodney Local Board area on:
proposed priorities and activities for the Rodney 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 Rodney 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 1397 submissions from the Rodney 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.
Recommendation/s
That the Rodney Local Board:
a) whiwhi / receive consultation feedback on the proposed Rodney 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) whiwhi / receive consultation feedback on regional topics in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 and related policies from people and organisations based in the Rodney 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
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 Rodney Local Board Agreement sets out how the council will reflect the priorities in the Rodney 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 – 4488 through Have Your Say events (two of which were held in the Rodney local board area)
· social media – 939 pieces of feedback through Auckland Council social media channels.
Information on submitters in the Rodney Local Board area
16. There were 1397 submissions received from people in the Rodney Local Board area.
17. The tables and graphs below indicate the demographic categories people identified with compared to the actual population demographics. This information only relates to those submitters who provided demographic information.
18. The table below shows the organisations that provided feedback.
Organisations |
|
Arts Centre Kaipara |
North Harbour Budgeting Services |
Asian Family Services |
North Harbour Sports Council |
Auckland Bands’ Association |
Northland Town Planners |
Auckland North Community and Development |
Offgrid Studios |
Chandler Contracting |
Pest Free Warkworth |
Dencar Property Limited |
Puhoi Centennial Hall |
Flexercise with Fitness League |
Rainbows End and Rivers Environmental Group |
Friends of Awa Matakanakana (FOAM) |
Restore Rodney East Incorporated Society |
Harbour Sports Trust |
Save our Venues |
Harbour Volleyball Association |
Shorebirds Trust |
Kumeū Arts Centre |
Snells Shoreline Conservation Community |
Kumeū Community Gardens |
The Northern Action Group |
Kumeū Cricket Club |
The Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust (Whānau Āwhina Plunket) |
Kumeū Playcentre |
Waimauku Pony Club |
Mahurangi East Community Centre |
Warkworth Music Society |
Mangakura Boat Club |
Warkworth Town Hall Restoration Trust |
Marathon Medical Ltd |
Wellsford Drama Club |
Mind Over Manner |
Woodhill Sands Trust |
Netball North Harbour |
Women in Urbanism Aotearoa |
New Zealand Technology Group |
Young Workers Resource Centre |
19. All feedback will be made available on an Auckland Council webpage called “Submissions on the Annual Budget 2023/2024” and were accessible from 26 April 2023 through the following link: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/submissions-annual-budget-2023-2024
Feedback received for the Rodney Local Board for 2023/2024
Key priorities in Rodney Local Board Area in 2023/2024
20. The Rodney Local Board consulted on the following priorities for 2023/2024:
· develop a new park in Milldale in partnership with a developer to support the needs of the growing new community. Works may include open green space, playground, pump track, basketball half court with youth spill out area, bridges, seating, boardwalk, and toilets
· renew the Goodall Reserve skate ramp while replacing fencing, seating and access paths
· renew Helensville River Walkway viewing platform, wharf structure and deliver walkways improvements
· renew major assets at the Wellsford Centennial Park, including the carpark, lighting, toilet and changing room block, tennis courts including associated drainage, cricket nets and pitches and the storage facility
· deliver Warkworth town centre improvements guided by the Warkworth Centre Plan developed in 2022 and continue with the Helensville town centre improvements.
21. The majority of local respondents supported most of the local board priorities with 61 per cent supporting most or all.
Key themes
22. Key themes across the feedback received (through written, in-person and social media channels) from those that supported all or most priorities included:
· that the priorities supported cohesion and wellbeing for all in the community
· that the developer should entirely pay for the playground in Milldale
· concern about non-essential expenditure with many suggesting projects could be deferred and there should be more focus on fixing assets rather than building new.
23. Key themes across the feedback received (through written, in-person and social media channels) from those that did not support most or any priorities included:
· that public transport, improved roading and other key infrastructure were a greater priority than those expressed in the consultation document
· comments about the proposed priorities not being essential with the need to focus on fixing or maintaining assets, rather than building new.
24. Key reoccurring themes across all the feedback received (through written, in-person and social media channels) included:
· the greatest number of submitters referred to the need for better transport infrastructure, including public transport services
· many suggested, in regards the current financial circumstances, that the focus should be on fixing and maintaining assets rather than building new ones. Submitters questioned if the local board priorities were essential, often mentioning that they were potentially “nice to haves”
· submitters expressed support for local boards and expressed unhappiness about local board funding being cut
· many felt that developers should be paying for the full costs of playgrounds as part of their development contributions
· seeing that the examples listed in the local board priorities were capital works and that the potential cuts were being proposed to services and activities only, many submitters mentioned that they would rather proposed services and activities were prioritised over building and renewing assets.
Responding to the budget challenge
25. 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 Rodney Local Board to reduce its planned operating spend by $920,755.
26. To do this, local boards 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.
27. The Rodney Local Board included the following local activities in the list asking “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?)”
Activity |
Detail / Service level and community implications |
Grants |
· stop or reduce grants funding affecting up to 12 community groups or organisations with average individual grants of $2,000 |
Events |
· stop funding community opening events for completed projects · reduce funding for community-led events, including ANZAC Ceremonies, A&P shows and Christmas parades |
Arts and Culture |
· reduce grants to Kumeū Art Centre and Helensville Art Centre |
Opening hours and services of libraries |
· reduce opening hours of Warkworth library to six days per week (the only library in Rodney operating above the minimum service levels) |
Community programmes |
· stop subsidies for hall users · stop funding local community workers to organise and run youth activities, community workshops, events, after school programmes, markets, coffee and craft groups at local community centres |
Investigations and plans / policy development |
· reduce supplementary funding for concept plans and investigations of capital works which would impact on the development of local assets (streetscapes, township improvements, parks) in future years |
Environmental volunteers in parks |
· reduce or stop funding for environmental volunteer groups to carry out work in council parks such as pest control, planting, beach clean ups and weeding. This could lead to biodiversity loss, an increase in pests and an increase in costs as contractors may need to pick this up |
Ecological restoration programmes |
· reduce or stop funding targeted programmes to manage and reduce pests and restore environmental conditions working with a local contractor and volunteers in significant ecological areas, including supporting private landowners with pest management. This loss of resourcing for volunteer groups could lead to a set back in biodiversity and an increase in pests |
Low mow / no mow |
· reduce or stop mowing specific areas in local parks: ‘no mow’ in areas that are well suited for native plants to regenerate and ‘low mow’ creating meadow-like open spaces (not including sports fields and streetscapes) |
Waste minimisation |
· stop or reduce funding of waste minimisation programme, which supports local builders and developers to achieve waste diversion from construction and demolition projects and aims to develop into a financially self-sustaining programme. Reducing funding would lead to increased landfill and pollution. |
28. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from the Rodney Local Board area.
Key themes
29. The top four supported activities and the reason respondents did not want to see these reduced or stopped are as follows:
· opening hours and services of libraries: submitters felt that libraries are an essential service provided free of charge for all (young and old) and that they are vital to the community, providing more than just books. Many felt that cutting the library hours would result in a false economy
· ecological restoration programmes: many submitters who selected this service thought that if funding was stopped gains from programming to date would be lost. They mentioned that ecological restoration was critical to increasing our resilience and would help mitigate the impact s of land use change. Overall submitters felt the need to look after the environment and to act against climate change
· grants for community groups and organisations: submitters felt that grants provided much needed support to the community and did so in a more cost-effective way than if the services were delivered directly through the council. Many mentioned the escalating cost of living as a reason why grants were needed. Support to community groups and organisations through grant funding was also linked to contributing to community cohesion
· community centres programmes and subsidies for hall users: those that selected these activities spoke to community centres being the “heartbeat” or the “backbone” of the community. Submitters felt that programming and activities in centres and halls, provided key community support and cutting the subsidies would hurt voluntary community groups.
Requests for local funding
30. There were no requests for local funding through the Annual Budget 2023/2024 consultation.
31. Consultation feedback on local board priorities will be considered by the local board when approving their local board agreement on 21 June 2023.
Overview of feedback received on regional topics in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 from the Rodney Local Board area
32. 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 Rodney Local Board for 2023/2024’ section above)
6. changes to other rates, fees and charges.
33. Submitters were also encouraged to give feedback on any of the other matters included in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 consultation document.
34. The submissions received from the Rodney 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
35. 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 Rodney 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.
36. Twenty-nine percent of submitters in the Rodney Local Board area supported the proposal to proceed with reducing operating spending. Fifty-nine per cent did not want to proceed with some or any reductions instead preferring to increase rates or debt.
37. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Rodney Local Board area.
Key themes
38. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· whilst 362 submissions supported proceeding with the proposed reductions, a majority did not want reductions to regional community services, public transport services, and funding for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. Comments were also made about focusing on infrastructure and core services
· support for retaining these services, including not cutting local board funding was evident in submissions across all responses to this question.
Key Question 2: amending Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) Shareholding Policy
39. 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.
40. 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.
41. Thirty-five per cent of submitters in the Rodney Local Board area supported the proposal to enable the sale of Auckland Council shares in AIAL compared to a 31 per cent support for a partial sale and 23 per cent that did not support changing the policy.
42. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Rodney Local Board area.
Key themes
43. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· for those against the sale of the AIAL shares felt the airport is a good investment, it is important to have an influence on airport development and selling public assets is unwise
· those seeking a partial sale argued for a more balanced approach with the need to keep some shares to influence the future of the airport and retain ability to sell at a later date
· those that supported the sale of all the shares felt that it was not council business to run airports and that council should focus instead on core services. They also noted that the funds from the sale of the shares were needed during the current financial downturn.
Key Question 3: managing rates and debt
44. 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 seven 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.
45. 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.
46. Thirty-two per cent of submitters in the Rodney Local Board area supported the proposal to increase rates compared to 19 per cent who supported either setting a higher general rates increase and making less use of debt, with 29 percent saying set a lower general rates increase and make greater use of debt.
47. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Rodney Local Board area.
Key themes
48. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· that the proposed increases to both rates and debt seemed reasonable and balanced, commenting that Auckland Council rates are already low compared to elsewhere in New Zealand. They also supported an increase in rates to mitigate cuts to environmental and community programmes
· those that supported the proposal to set a higher general rate responded that there was a need to keep up with the growing cost of infrastructure and indicated support for paying a rates increase in order to retain essential community services. They felt that rates needed to keep up with the rate of inflation
· the majority of submitters who did not support an increase in rates commented that households are already struggling financially.
Key Question 4: storm response
49. 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).
50. Sixty-five per cent of submitters from the Rodney Local Board area supported the proposal to increase operating budgets to improve the ability to prepare for and respond to future storms, compared to 22 per cent that did not.
51. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Rodney Local Board area.
Key themes
52. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:
· those in support of this extra charge argued that it was an essential and fundamental part of council’s business, stating that failing to address the risks of climate change was short sighted
· those opposed to this proposal said central government and insurance companies should pay and that proper analysis was required to determine what is needed before deciding on a budget.
Key Question 5: local board priorities
53. 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 Rodney Local Board for 2023/2024’ section above.
Key Question 6: changes to other rates, fees and charges
54. Aucklanders were asked for feedback on proposals to increase some targeted rates and other regulatory fees and charges as set out below. If the increases 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.
55. The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Rodney Local Board area.
Waste Management Rates Change |
Support |
Do not support |
Other |
I don't know |
Cost changes in waste management |
567 |
357 |
49 |
181 |
Introduce a one-off fee of $40 for those residents wishing to change their bin size |
739 |
274 |
32 |
108 |
Extend the food scraps targeted rate to the new areas that will receive the service this year |
594 |
356 |
44 |
166 |
Changes to other rates |
Support |
Do not support |
Other |
I don't know |
Swimming Pool/Spa Pool Fencing Compliance Targeted Rate |
670 |
386 |
21 |
98 |
Change which bus services are funded by the Climate Action Targeted Rate |
533 |
375 |
38 |
220 |
56. The majority of comments requested the ability to opt out of the food scraps targeted rate as many residents, particularly rurally, use their food waste in home composting and farm animal feed. There was also several comments regarding the need for more reliable and frequent bus services.
Other matters for feedback
57. 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.
58. Aucklanders were also asked what else is important to them and if they had any feedback on any other issues.
59. There was almost no feedback in this section relating to these topics from residents in the Rodney Local Board Area.
Annual Budget 2023/2024 related policies
The following proposals were consulted on alongside the Annual Budget:
Revenue and Financing Policy
60. The proposal to pause the Long-Term Differential Strategy (LTDS) for one year would require an amendment to the Revenue and Financing Policy.
61. 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
62. One hundred and forty-six 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 able to afford the increase and the impact of rates on residential ratepayers.
63. Responses from those who did not support the proposal included the view that business rates are too high.
64. 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.
65. 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
66. 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).
67. 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
68. 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 should not have special treatment, and concern about the resulting costs to other Aucklanders.
69. 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
70. 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 in June.
71. 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
72. 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
73. 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.
74. 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
75. 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
76. 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.
77. 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
78. 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.
79. 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.
80. 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.
81. 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.
82. 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.
83. 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
84. 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.
85. 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
86. 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
87. The local board will consider its local board agreement on 21 June 2023 and corresponding work programmes on 16 July 2023.
88. Recommendations and feedback from the local board will be provided to the Governing Body for consideration in its decision-making.
89. 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 |
Robyn Joynes - Local Board Advisor Zigi Yates – Senior Local Board Advisor |
Authoriser |
Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager |