Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Annual Plan 2022/23 Adopted By Council This Week

At an extraordinary meeting this week, Stratford District Council adopted the Annual Plan 2022-23, which comes into effect today, 1 July 2022.

Council’s annual plan outlines what will be spent on projects and day-to-day services over the next financial year and how they’ll be paid for.

Key changes in the annual plan that differ from what was in the Long Term Plan 2021-31 include:

  • Roading Targeted Rate, Forestry Differential - Each year, Council spends a portion of the roading budget on repairing unsealed roads damaged due to the intensive use of heavy vehicles associated with the forestry industry. Council has agreed to introduce a roading targeted rate differential which will mean that a fixed portion ($100,000) of the total roading rate requirement proposed for 2022/23 of $3,094,900 is collected from ratepayers who own property that is used for the purpose of forestry, from planting to harvesting.
  • The Revenue and Financing Policy was reviewed and updated to include the above differential. It was also amended for administrative purposes to allow for rates smoothing to occur in years of high expected rates increases, by either using surpluses from previous years, or using targeted rates reserves.
  • The Rates Remission Policy was reviewed and updated with changes to the remissions on water leaks and targeted rates where a fire has made the property uninhabitable to a maximum of two years.
  • Fees and Charges - Council has undertaken a review of the annual fees and charges to take into account changing environmental and economic factors, and assumptions previously made at the time the LTP was adopted. This includes key changes across Waste Management, Aerodrome, Building Services, Swimming Pool and Pensioner Housing.
Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The confirmed overall rates increase for 2022/23 is 6.41%. This is slightly higher than the 6.21% originally proposed in the Long Term Plan 2021–31.

Mayor Volzke says, “Elected members and Council staff have worked hard to find ways to continue delivering services as promised in the LTP without passing on any additional cost burdens.”

“Since the LTP was adopted in 2021, we’ve needed to react to a number of external factors, including but not limited to COVID-19, inflation and supply chain issues,” he says. “We’re mindful of our residents being at the receiving end of these cost pressures across their daily lives and we’ve done our best to avoid adding to that.”

The year ahead has some exciting milestones to look forward to, including the completion of the new Aquatic Centre on Portia Street. “Prior to Tuesday’s meeting, elected members were given a tour of the construction site and the new aquatic centre is looking great,” says Mayor Volzke. “Without a doubt our community is going to love this new pool complex. We can’t wait to see the first people jump in later this year. It has been a huge project and we will end up with a high-quality asset that will serve the community well for many decades to come.”

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.