26 April, 2016

Time running out to have say on Annual Plan

Time is running out for members of the public to have their say on the Northland Regional Council’s Annual Plan for 2016/17.

An official month-long public feedback period on the plan – which the council’s chairman Bill Shepherd has previously described as a ‘business as usual’ document – runs until 4pm Friday 06 May.

Councillor Shepherd says the plan keeps an overall rates increase to the 2.34 percent agreed last year through the council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). This will cost an average of just $4.27 per rateable property over the full 12 months from July 01; roughly eight extra cents a week.

The council has released a Consultation Document which highlights any differences over the next financial year from those forecast in its current LTP, although Cr Shepherd says any changes are “small.”

Total council spending for the year is forecast to increase by less than $1 million, of which just over $300,000 will be funded via the rates increase.

Councillor Shepherd encourages those wanting to give feedback to read the council’s Consultation Document and supporting information first.

Feedback can be given online using council’s consultation portal www.nrc.govt.nz/annualplan2016 or through Facebook or Twitter, or by filling in a feedback form that can be emailed, posted or faxed.

ENDS

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