Council adopts draft Annual Plan for consultation

Upper Hutt City Council has adopted its 2010/11 draft Annual Plan for consultation and proposed amendments to the Rates Remission Policy for Economic Development (in the current LTCCP). Public consultation opens on 6 April 2010. Consultation will run for one month, with the submission period closing on 7 May 2010. Public hearings will be held in May, before the council considers feedback and adopts a final plan at the end of June for the coming financial year.

The draft Annual Plan 2010/11 sets out Year 2 of the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) 2009-2019 and outlines the council’s work programme for the coming financial year and explains any differences from the long-term plan – proposed new projects and changes to existing projects. “It reflects the decisions made during the LTCCP process in 2009, with some adjustments to accommodate changing circumstances over the past year” says Mayor Wayne Guppy.

Upper Hutt City Council is proposing the average ratepayer will see their rates increase by just 3.1 percent in the coming financial year. Mayor Wayne Guppy says: “it’s pleasing that the council is able to keep rates increases below 4%, while still delivering key city projects. We are still delivering a plan that provides the services and projects the city needs while keeping rates affordable for our residents and businesses”.

The total council expenditure proposed for 2010/11 is $42.171 million. A number of funding sources contribute to the payment of the forecast expenditure, including rates, which accounts for 64.1 percent ($27.04 million) of the total funding required for 2010/11.

This follows a meeting yesterday of Mayor Wayne Guppy and councillors to approve the draft Annual Plan for 2010/11.

“Maintaining and improving services, facilities and infrastructure remains an important focus for us. I believe the new projects we will deliver this year will benefit the city for years to come. We are working towards the development of netball and tennis courts and of Wi Tako Ngatata Scenic Reserve. Enhanced library services, including a new mobile library bus and an interactive website will be delivered” said Mayor Wayne Guppy.

The draft Annual Plan 2010/11 proposes the launch and continuation of a number of key city projects. Due to the current economic climate a number of projects included in the LTCCP are now considered by council as unaffordable and it is proposed that these projects be deferred from this year’s plan. Proposed deferred projects include an accommodation development study, a major city promotional campaign, a habitat improvement study of significant natural areas within Upper Hutt, a planting project along Gibbons Street and a strategic review of parking supply and demand in the CBD.

Mayor Wayne Guppy is encouraging city residents, organisations and groups to consider the draft plan and tell the council what they think about the projects and services proposed.

Public consultation on the draft plan and proposed amendments to the Rates Remission Policy for Economic Development (in the current LTCCP) will begin on Tuesday 6 April 2010. Residents and ratepayers will be able to find out more about the proposals and comment on the plan in a few weeks’ time. They will have a month (6 April to 7 May) to make submissions.

A summary, which provides a brief overview on the content and financial statements in the draft Annual Plan, will be distributed to all ratepayers in Upper Hutt in early April. Full copies of the draft plan, the summary and submission forms are also available from all council offices, libraries and www.upperhuttcity.com from 6 April.

A public meeting to explain and discuss the draft Annual Plan and proposed amendments will be held on Tuesday 20 April 2010 at 7pm in the Civil Defence Room, Upper Hutt City Council building, 838-842 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt. People wishing to present their submissions in person to the Mayor and councillors can do so at one of two special meetings held on Tuesday 25 and Thursday 27 May 2010.

ENDS