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Nelson Grey Power's submission on the Nelson LTCCP.
Nelson Grey Power's submission on the Nelson Draft Annual Plan.
Nelson Grey Power's submission on the Tasman District Council's LTCCP.
Nelson Grey Power's submission on the Tasman District Council's Draft Annual Plan.

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LOCAL BODIES SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT DECEMBER 2009

The committee continues to work with both councils attempting to have reviews of expenditure. We are not against any specific project, but we want to ensure that there are direct benefits to ratepayers generally of any expenditure, rather than just a small elite group. We are concerned that there are areas where expenditure is out of control. We generally find that Tasman council is more receptive to our submissions, whereas Nelson dismisses them out of hand without due consideration.

Nelson council still intends to notify a plan change and possibly also a resource consent, which will allow far higher decibel levels for entertainment with amplified music in the central city and beyond. The resource consent would allow council to have events with amplified music with much higher volumes that will affect residential areas, with no recourse for residents to complain. Once the plan change or resource consent are publicly notified, we urge you to give a submission. Notification will be in the Nelson Mail and online on the council's website.

Local Body Affairs Committee Chairman Dan McGuire

December 2009

Keeping Tabs on our Local Politicians

Our Local Body Elections are over for another 3 years. With new Mayors leading both Councils, we look forward to having a productive and friendly working relationship with them and their Councillors over the next 3 years.

Nelson Mayor, Kerry Marshall, and all 12 councillors responded to our pre-election questionnaire. We have their comments to our questions on rates below. In our March 2008 issue we will cover the new Tasman District Council.

1. "How would they address the issue of affordability of Council rates and charges".

Kerry Marshall "Best value for rates/charges, Greater efficiencies to keep costs down."
Ian Barker"Seek rate increases directly linked to cost of living increases/inflation".
Ali Boswijk"Support indexing rate rebate scheme, and alternative funding for amenities"
Gail Collingwood "Alternatives to rates, implement options from rate inquiry findings"
Mike Cotton "Better control of council spending, including amount provided for grants"
Denise Henigan "Better demand management, reduce waste, more efficient practices".
Mark Holmes "Targeted rates, remissions and rebates, a fairer rating system for all'
Alison McAlpine "save money through spending efficiencies, NCC/TDC share resources,
Aldo Miccio "value for money, address rates burden, find alternative income sources"
Pete Rainey "value for money, review services/charges, NCC/TDC share resources"
Rachel Reese "avoid waste/duplication, joint services NCC/TDC, rate inquiry options"
Derek Shaw "Feedback from residents and ratepayers through planning processes"
Graeme Thomas "alternative funding methods, options from rate inquiry findings"

2."Do they support increases in rate/charges being at or lower than the rate of inflation'

Cr Mark Holmes "NO" the city would stagnate - we must invest for our future"
Kerry Marshall " Worthy Aspiration, difficult when Govt loads non-cost responsibilities"
Ian Barker "YES, basic rate should be linked to affordability/increases in inflation"
Ali Boswijk "YES, council use its position to investigate/attract alternative funding"

Gail Collingwood, Mike Cotton, Denise Henigan, Alison McAlpine, Aldo Miccio, Pete Rainey, Rachel Reese, Derek Shaw and Graeme Thomas, were all a "YES", in principle, but not at the expense of maintaining and providing necessary infrastructure.

We would agree that if such expenditure were really NECESSARY, an increase above the rate of inflation would be justified. Grey Power's submission to the rate Inquiry was adamant that rate increases should not exceed inflation to provide luxuries, non-essential amenities or to give money away. We have also made it clear to the Minister of Local Government that double-digit rate and charges increases are unacceptable, for example Nelsons 38+% increase in the last three years

The rate inquiry clearly found that if the current rating and revenue gathering practices were allowed to continue, rates would become totally unsustainable within 10 years and they recommend legislation be amended to insist that Councils give EXPLICIT consideration to the affordability of rates, especially to the low income households, when assessing their revenue needs (rates etc).

And most importantly the "Double-dipping" between inflation and debt has been recognised as a major concern and once rectified will have a substantial impact on the affordability of rates.

The rate inquiry findings are an indictment on the spendthrift practices many councils have embarked on over recent years, giving little consideration to those living on minimal household incomes, 25% of Nelsons ratepayers may have qualified for a rate rebate because their total income was $25,000 or less. That means

Our Council has some serious homework to do before the 2008 Annual Planning round.