Home > Archives > October 7th 2013 > Your questions Answered - Kaipara Commissioner - John Robertson: MRRA rates exemption unacceptable
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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Your questions Answered - Kaipara Commissioner - John Robertson: MRRA rates exemption unacceptable.jpg "john robertson(copyHP)") At its September meeting last week, the Council attended to a number of matters that will be of interest to you.Adoption of Annual Report Council adopted its Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2013. Commissioners can report that: * The Annual Report has been adopted a month earlier than required by statute and in keeping with a timeframe that is seen as good practice across the sector. Normally, around 15-20% of local authorities are able to adopt their annual report before the end of September. * A net surplus of $982,000 has been generated. (This compares with deficits of $10.6 million in 2012 and $5.7 million in 2011.) * Bank debt has been reduced to $77.5 million. This represents an improvement over 2012 of $1.5 million. Deloitte is now the Council’s Auditor. Their Audit Report, together with the full Annual report is available on the Council’s web site, www.kaipara.govt.nz. Rates postponement on certain capital contributions in Mangawhai Earlier this year a number of Mangawhai property owners asked Council if targeted rates that are struck to help fund the capital content of the Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme could be paid over time. Council has now adopted a “Rates Postponement Policy” to assist such property owners. These property owners will be alerted to this option by letter within the next month. Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme Disposal Options Commissioners, residents, and ratepayers seek answers to the capacity and efficiency of the Brown Road Farm that was purchased to absorb treated wastewater via an irrigation system for the Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme. The existing irrigation scheme is sufficient for current volumes in an “average” year. Before investing further to extend this irrigation system at Brown Road, Council has decided to review options for additional treated water disposal. Council is calling for expressions of interest to undertake this work which will include looking at the feasibility of discharging the wastewater to sites other than Brown Road. Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Association Court action taken against the Council In the last edition of the Mangawhai Focus, I advised of the initiative taken by the Council to seek to settle the action taken by the Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Association against the Council. The Council has now received a response from the Association. There are three claims that the Association has taken against the Council. On the first claim, the Association has advised that it seeks to have the issue resolved “authoritatively” – in other words in Court. On the two other claims, the Association proposes that settlement takes place with conditions, one being that their Association members exclusively are exempted from certain rates. This is totally unacceptable to the Council. The Commissioners will not entertain a side deal with the Association that favours the members of this group of approximately 600 property owners over the interests of more than 13,000 other property owners in the District. The Court has set a date to hear the actions taken against the Council of February 3, 2014. Mangawhai Park Commissioners met with the Mangawhai Park Steering Group recently on proposals for the development of Mangawhai Park. It is important that we set up a governance framework that will enable cooperative engagement between stakeholders, and the sharing of some commonly needed facilities, like car parks. The Steering Group’s vision and passion for this area is tremendous. The area can be developed in a way that respects its natural features and fauna, and accommodates the community groups that will make this their home. Commissioner Drop-in I will be in the Council offices in Mangawhai on Monday 14, 1 pm to 4 pm if you wish to meet with me. Call Anna Curnow on 09 439 3123 to set up an appointment. |
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