Press Release
Wellington City Councillor
Bryan Pepperell

Minutes confirmed in the mail of 24 April 2009

WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL
HOW THEY VOTED ON SWITCHING COMMERCIAL RATES ONTO YOUR RATES BILL IN THE DRAFT LTCCP
Minutes from Council meeting of Thursday 26 March 2009

Council meeting for the LTCCP (Long Term Council Community Plan) Councillors voted on setting of the rates.
The following is a list of how Councillors voted to continue to switch the commercial rates onto the residents' rates bill. Councillor Bryan Pepperell put an amendment to stop the switch. He was supported by Councillors Ritchie, Gill and Cook .

Mayor

Kerry Prendergast Supported the switch
Councillors

* Ray Ahipene-Mercer (Eastern) Supported the switch

* Ngaire Best (Northern) Supported the switch

* Stephanie Cook (Lambton) Opposed the switch

* Jo Coughlan (Onslow-Western) Supported the switch

* Andy Foster (Onslow-Western) Supported the switch

* Leonie Gill (Eastern) Would have opposed but left the meeting

* Rob Goulden (Eastern) Supported the switch

* Ian McKinnon (Lambton) Supported the switch

* John Morrison (Onslow-Western) Supported the switch

* Iona Pannett (Lambton) Supported the switch

* Bryan Pepperell (Southern) Opposed the switch

* Helene Ritchie (Northern)

* Celia Wade-Brown (Southern) Supported the switch

* Hayley Wain (Northern) Supported the switch

As the main media have not published this result it is important that it is made available to the public. Copies of the minutes are now online but many will have difficulty finding and understanding the minutes. http://www.wellington.govt.nz/haveyoursay/ meetings/title/Council/2009/26Mar1730/pdf/minutes.pdf

As around thirty three percent of Wellington’s residential properties are rented there will be a considerable impact on those who rent but have not drawn the connection between paying rent and paying rates. The rates differential has been changing, shifting the burden of funding the city’s activities from the business sector on to the residents’ rates bill. The rates differential shift should not go unnoticed as there are significant implications, not the least being the effect on the pockets of Wellingtons’ residents.

Business has the advantage of deducting rates from tax and passing them on to customers. Residents are now subsidising the many tourists and visitors to the city along with those who come and work in the city from outside the rating catchment.

Councillor
Bryan Pepperell

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