I hereby give notice that an extraordinary meeting of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board will be held on:

 

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

 

Thursday, 11 May 2023

9.30am

Waitākere Ranges Local Board Office
39 Glenmall Place
Glen Eden

 

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

 

OPEN AGENDA

 

 

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

Chairperson

Greg Presland

 

Deputy Chairperson

Michelle Clayton

 

Members

Mark Allen

Liz Manley

 

Sandra Coney, QSO

Linda Potauaine

 

(Quorum 3 members)

 

 

 

Nataly Anchicoque

Democracy Advisor

 

8 May 2023

 

Contact Telephone: 0272872403

Email: Nataly.Anchicoque@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

 

 


 


Waitākere Ranges Local Board

11 May 2023

 

 

ITEM   TABLE OF CONTENTS            PAGE

1          Nau mai | Welcome                                                                  5

2          Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies                                                   5

3          Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest                                                               5

4          Local board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2023/2024                      7

 


1          Nau mai | Welcome

 

 

2          Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies

 

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.

 

Specifically, members are asked to identify any new interests they have not previously disclosed, an interest that might be considered as a conflict of interest with a matter on the agenda.

The following are declared interests of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

 

Board Member

Organisation/Position

Mark Allen

-   Community Waitākere – Executive Officer

-   Bethells Valley Fire – Life Member

-   Waitākere Licensing Trust – Trustee

-   West Auckland Trusts Services - Director

Michelle Clayton

-   Glen Eden Residents’ Association – Member

-   The Personal Advocacy and Safeguarding Adults Trust – Trustee

-   Glen Eden Returned Services Association (RSA) – Member

-   Glen Eden Railway Trust – Member

-   Te Wahi Ora Charitable Trust – Member

-   Glen Eden Community House - Member

Sandra Coney

-   Cartwright Collective – Member

-   Women’s Health Action Trust – Patron

-   New Zealand Society of Genealogists – Member

-   New Zealand Military Defence Society – Member

-   Pest Free Piha – Partner is the Coordinator

-   Piha Tennis Club – Patron and Partner is the President

-   Piha Wetland Trust – Partner is a Trustee

-   Waitākere Ranges Pest Free Alliance – Partner is the Co-Chair of this group

Greg Presland

-   Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust – Trustee

-   Glen Eden BID – Member

-   Titirangi Ratepayers and Residents Association – Member

-   Waitākere Ranges Protection Society - Member

-   Titirangi RSA - Member

Liz Manley

-   Consumer Experiences Council, Te Toka Tumai Auckland, Te Whatu Ora - Co-chair

-   Clinical Ethics Advisory Group, Te Toka Tumai Auckland, Te Whatu Ora - Member

-   Titirangi Community Arts Council Board – Member

-   Titirangi Ratepayers and Residents Association – Member

-   Laingholm District Citizens Association – Member

Linda Potauaine

-   Visionwest Consumer Trust – Employee

-   New Lynn Rotary – President

-   Archtists Limited. - Director

 

            Member appointments

            Board members are appointed to the following bodies. In these appointments the board members represent Auckland Council:

External organisation

Lead

Alternate

Glen Eden Business Improvement District (Glen Eden Business Association)

Michelle Clayton

Greg Presland

Aircraft Noise Community Consultative Group

Mark Allen

Liz Manley

Ark in the Park

Mark Allen

Liz Manley

Friends of Arataki and Waitākere Regional Parkland Incorporated

Michelle Clayton

Sandra Coney

Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre Trust

Mark Allen

Linda Potauaine

Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery

Linda Potauaine

Mark Allen

Glen Eden Community and Recreation Centre Incorporated

Michelle Clayton

Mark Allen

LGNZ Auckland Zone representative

Linda Potauaine

Michelle Clayton

 

 


Waitākere Ranges Local Board

11 May 2023

 

 

Local board consultation feedback and input into the Annual Budget 2023/2024

File No.: CP2023/04153

 

  

 

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1.       To receive consultation feedback from the Waitākere Ranges local board area on:

·    proposed priorities and activities for the Waitākere Ranges Local Board Agreement 2023/2024.

·    proposed local activities to discontinue, reduce spending on, or increase fees to meet the Governing Body’s proposed reduction in local board funding.

·    regional topics and related policies for the Annual Budget 2023/2024.

2.       To recommend any local matters to the Governing Body that it will need to consider or make decisions on in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 process.

3.       To provide input on the proposed regional topics in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 to the Governing Body.

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 Waitākere Ranges 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 1,876 submissions from the Waitākere Ranges local board area.

·   On the topic of regional operating spending reductions, question one of the Annual Budget survey, 78 per cent of individual respondents and 74 per cent of submissions by organisations opposed these proposals or opposed them in part.

·   There were mixed responses from the consultation feedback received on regional topics for question two (amending Auckland International Airport Limited shareholding policy) and question three (managing rates and debt).

·   Most submitters supported the proposal to provide more funding for storm response (question four).

·   Overall, local respondents emphasised climate change mitigation, environmental services, community resilience, culture and the arts and a need for improved infrastructure, including cycling and walking infrastructure and public transport, as some of the most important areas requiring support, action and investment.

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 Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a)      whiwhi / receive consultation feedback on the proposed Waitākere Ranges 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 Waitākere Ranges 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 Waitākere Ranges Local Board Agreement sets out how the Council will reflect the priorities in the Waitākere Ranges 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:

16.     The 1,876 submissions from the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area were a mix of individual and organisational responses as follows:

17.     All feedback has been made available on an Auckland Council webpage called “Submissions on the Annual Budget 2023/2024” is accessible through the following link: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/submissions-annual-budget-2023-2024

18.     Five separate attachments containing the written feedback pertaining to the Waitākere Ranges Local Board are available at the above link (Waitākere Ranges written feedback Volumes 1 – 5). These have been referenced within the attachments section of this report, but the files themselves have not been attached to this report.

Feedback received for the Waitākere Ranges Local Board for 2023/2024

Key priorities in Waitākere Ranges Local Board Area in 2023/2024

19.     The Waitākere Ranges Local Board consulted on the following priorities for 2023/2024:

·   Priority 1: maintaining our parks and facilities, including renewing the Parrs Park artificial turf sports field, and refurbishing Titirangi War Memorial Hall.

·   Priority 2: advocating for increased funding to make our local community and roading infrastructure resilient in the face of increasing severe weather events in the Waitākere Ranges.

·   Priority 3: keeping as many local community services going as possible in the face of our budget challenge.

·   Priority 4: keeping as many local environmental services going as possible in the face of our budget challenge.

·   Priority 5: developing a new local board plan in consultation with our communities. 

20.     1,771 submissions were received on Waitākere Ranges Local Board’s priorities for 2023/2024. A total of 81 per cent of individual submissions supported all or most of the suggested priorities, whilst 74 per cent of organisations supported all or most. Thirteen per cent and 15 per cent respectively did not support most or any of the priorities.

21.     The following table and graph provide an overview of responses from the Waitākere Ranges local board area about local priorities for services and activities.


 

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22.     Consultation feedback on local board priorities will be considered by the local board when approving its local board agreement on 22 June 2023.

Key themes

23.     Key themes of note across the feedback received included:

·   There is general support for the proposed priorities for services and activities for the local board, including maintaining parks and green spaces, investing in arts and culture, supporting education and social services and prioritising environmental initiatives like weed and pest control.

·   Maintaining essential services – the prioritisation of essential services, such as roading infrastructure, is seen as crucial, with support for increased funding to futureproof infrastructure in case of severe weather events.

·   Concern about potential consequences to community wellbeing in the wake of the annual budget proposals.

Responding to the budget challenge

24.     The council’s proposed response to mitigate the budget pressures for 2023/2024 included a proposed reduction of $16 million to local board operational funding – this would require the Waitākere Ranges Local Board to reduce its planned operating spend by $766,000.

25.     To do this, local boards would need to make tough decisions, prioritising what they do and where they invest. Aucklanders were asked for their priorities given the proposed reduction would mean some local activities would have to be discontinued, have reduced spending, or increased fees.

26.     The table below provides an overview of the responses from the Waitākere Ranges local board area on question 5B: 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?)

 

Key themes

27.     Key themes of note across the feedback received included:

·    Environmental sustainability and protection

Climate action, pest control, waterway restoration, and parks and recreation services are important investments for local boards to make, due to the increasing urgency of the climate crisis and the need to protect and preserve natural resources.

Services related to environmental protection and restoration, such as managing rain events, improving harbours, and cleaning up waterways, are vital for increasing resilience to climate change and severe weather and protecting the natural environment for future generations.

Environmental protection and restoration services promote sustainability and positively impact well-being.

Reducing or cutting funding to pest control, invasive weeds, wildlife protection etc. will result in unreclaimable losses and degradation of natural habitats.

·    Community facilities and programmes

Libraries, community centres, recreational facilities, and community buildings are essential for promoting social cohesion and supporting the well-being of individuals and communities.

Community facilities and services also provide educational opportunities and promote sustainability, making Auckland a thriving city.

Services related to community support, such as grants and events, are essential for building strong and resilient communities and providing social opportunities.

·    Arts and culture

Arts and cultural activities foster creativity, improve education, and provide opportunities for cultural exchange and celebration.

Arts and cultural initiatives promote a sense of community and pride, and they provide opportunities for people to express themselves and engage in creative activities.

Arts and culture events and organisations foster social cohesion and provide educational and social opportunities, including education relating to the environment.

Arts and cultural activities also build community connections and support the city’s wider economy.

Arts and cultural activities positively impact ‘quality of life’.

Information on submitters

28.     The tables and graphs below indicate the demographic categories people identified with. This information only relates to those submitters who provided demographic information.

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Key themes

29.     Key themes of note across the feedback received (through written, in-person and other channels) included:

·   Essential services should be prioritised, including community and environmental services and resilient road infrastructure.

·   There needs to be careful consideration of the economic climate and community needs, plus future impacts of budgetary decisions; consider the impact of funding cuts to the community.

·   Council’s approach to the Annual Budget decision should be proactive and include planning for future severe weather events and impacts.

30.     Key themes of note across the feedback received from Te Kawerau ā Maki (TKaM), as the iwi of West Auckland (and Upper Harbour) included:

·   the importance of maintaining the Māori outcomes budget, the environmental targeted rate, the water quality targeted rate, the budget supporting Waitangi Day and Matariki events, as well as the budget for TKaM to lead Creative Henderson/West project in partnership with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

·   request for funding for: ongoing support for the establishment of the Te Henga marae; funding for dedicated officer resources for various projects including the Riverhead forest plan, Te Onekiritea, and Waitākere Ranges Kaitiaki Monitoring, as well as to be able to exercise its regulatory functions in a more systematic way, build capacity and capability in TKaM, and to be able to participate in Council processes in genuine partnership; and progressing a relationship agreement and Mana Whakahono document.

Overview of feedback received on regional topics in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 from the Waitākere Ranges local board area

31.     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 Waitākere Ranges Local Board for 2023/2024’ section above)

6.   changes to other rates, fees and charges.

32.     Submitters were also encouraged to give feedback on any of the other matters included in the Annual Budget 2023/2024 consultation document.

33.     The submissions received from the Waitākere Ranges 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

34.     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 Waitākere Ranges 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.

35.     The table and graph below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Waitākere Ranges local board area.


 

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Key themes

36.     Respondents were asked why, and which reductions they would not proceed with, if any. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:

·   Areas that most submissions suggested opposition to reducing funding for include social services for vulnerable members of the community, libraries, zoos, sports assets and public transport.

·   Some suggested areas for reducing funding included regional services as these were considered non-essential.

Key Question 2: Amending Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) Shareholding Policy

37.     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.

38.     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.

39.     The table and graph below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Waitākere Ranges local board area.


 

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Key themes

40.     Respondents were asked whether they agreed with a full sale, a partial sale with an increase to rates and/or debt, or no sale with an increase to rates and/or debt. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:

·   There may be some financial benefits to selling the Auckland Airport shares, such as reducing debt, but this may be a short-term solution to a long-term problem.

·   The Airport is a strategic asset and a long-term revenue stream which provides benefits to Auckland.

Key Question 3: Managing rates and debt

41.     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.

42.     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.

43.     The table and graph below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Waitākere Ranges local board area.

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Key themes

44.     Respondents were provided with a range of options to manage rates and debt. Feedback from respondents showed this was a complex issue with a range of perspectives. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:

·   Increasing rates and taking on further debt may help to fund essential services and infrastructure.

·   Rates should be kept affordable as some people are already struggling with the cost of living in Auckland.

Key Question 4: Storm response

45.     Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to increase council’s operating budgets by around $20 million each year to improve the ability to prepare for and respond to future storms. This would likely require rates to increase for 2023/2024 by around an additional 1 per cent (on top of the 4.66 per cent increase proposed to address the budget shortfall).

46.     The table and graph below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Waitākere Ranges local board area.


 

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Key themes

47.     Respondents were asked whether they agreed with proceeding with the proposal or not proceeding with the proposal. Key themes of note across the feedback received included:

·   Support for investing in infrastructure to prepare for more frequent storms due to climate change

·   Storm preparation leads to protection of people and property and minimal disruption to daily life and business operations

·   Nature-based solutions could help mitigate the impact of future storms.

Key Question 5: local board priorities

48.     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 Waitākere Ranges Local Board for 2023/2024’ section above.

Key Question 6: changes to other rates, fees and charges

49.     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.

50.     The graphs below give an overview of the responses to this question from the Waitākere Ranges local board area. Responses came from individuals and organisations. There were no responses from Māori entities or pro forma responses.


 

Key themes

51.     Respondents were asked if they had any feedback on the proposed changes in the table above, or the other proposed changes to rates, fees, and charges in the consultation document (pages 55,58). Key themes of note across the feedback received included:

·   some concern about affordability and illegal dumping

·   a variety of mixed views though a higher proportion of submitters chose to support the proposed changes.

Other matters for feedback

52.     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.

53.     Aucklanders were also asked what else is important to them and if they had any feedback on any other issues.

Key themes

54.     Respondents identified a number of concerns and issues including the need to invest in or support, as detailed in the table below:


 

 


 

Key themes

55.     Key themes of note across other areas of feedback received included:

·    Climate change mitigation and sustainability and urgent action on climate change

·    Prioritisation of environmental services

·    Concern regarding the lack of attention to roads

·    A need for improved infrastructure, including cycling and walking infrastructure and public transport

·    Community resilience, culture, the arts and collective wellbeing are all important priorities

·    The negative impact of budget reductions on community groups and services is a concern.

Annual Budget 2023/2024 related policies

The following proposals were consulted on alongside the Annual Budget:

Revenue and Financing Policy

56.     The proposal to pause the Long-Term Differential Strategy (LTDS) for one year would require an amendment to the Revenue and Financing Policy.

57.     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

58.     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.

59.     Responses from those who did not support the proposal included the view that business rates are too high.

60.     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.

61.     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

62.     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).

63.     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

64.     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.

65.     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

66.     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.

67.     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

68.     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

69.     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.

70.     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

71.     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

72.     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.

73.     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

74.     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.

75.     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.

76.     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.

77.     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.

78.     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.

79.     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

80.     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.

81.     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

82.     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

83.     The local board will approve its local board agreement in June 2023 and corresponding work programmes in July 2023.

84.     Recommendations and feedback from the local board will be provided to the Governing Body for consideration in its decision-making.

85.     The final Annual Budget 2023/2024 (including local board agreements) will be adopted by the Governing Body on 29 June 2023.


 

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.

Title

Page

a

Waitākere Ranges written feedback Vol. 1

 

b

Waitākere Ranges written feedback Vol. 2

 

c

Waitākere Ranges written feedback Vol. 3

 

d

Waitākere Ranges written feedback Vol. 4

 

e

Waitākere Ranges written feedback Vol. 5

 

      

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Natasha Yapp – Local Board Advisor

Authorisers

Louise Mason - General Manager Local Board Services

Adam Milina - Local Area Manager

 

 

 



Waitākere Ranges Local Board

11 May 2023