Stratford District Council Agrees on 3.2% Rates Increase

Stratford District Council has released their 2013/2014 Draft Annual Plan, with a 3.21% increase in rates for the year ahead. Chief Executive Sue Davidson says that due to growth in the district, after final calculations this percentage is likely to be less. The water treatment plant and waste management activity account for the bulk of this increase.

District Mayor Neil Volzke says, “The Long Term Plan signalled a 5.51% rate increase for 2013/2014. Council believes that the revised lower figure will be welcomed by rate payers and affirms Council’s commitment to keep rates affordable.”

The reduction in rate increase is a result of a number of changes, including the repayment of Council debt from surplus cash, the management of the pool coming in house, and a decrease in roading expenditure due to a change of the New Zealand Transport Authority subsidy.

Projects for the up coming year include a new water treatment plant at Midhirst, and beautification in and around Broadway and Prospero Place. Council has received notification that the Midhirst water treatment plant will qualify for a government subsidy which is further good news. Council anticipates the concept drawings of a master plan to beautify and upgrade Broadway and Prospero Place will be finalised this year, with some of the identified projects starting in 2013/2014.

The Draft Annual Plan is now open for consultation to provide an opportunity for the community to express its view on the proposal.

Submissions on matters relating to the Draft Annual Plan will be received up until 4.30pm on Thursday 18 April 2013. Those wishing to speak to their submission can do so on Thursday 2 May.

Two public meetings are being held for consultation. The first will be held on Thursday 21 March at the War Memorial Centre, with the second and last meeting being held on Tuesday 9 April at the Whangamomona Hall.

Ends

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>