Hard Copy Submissions

John Stirling

Topic 1: Te Aroha Spa

(Refer to page 15 of the Consultation Document)

Topic 2: Roading renewals

(Refer to page 17 of the Consultation Document)

Topic 3: Walking and Cycling improvements

(Refer to page 18 of the Consultation Document)

Topic 4: Town Centre infrastructure

(Refer to page 19 of the Consultation Document)

Topic 5: Additional playgrounds

(Refer to page 21 of the Consultation Document)

Topic 6: Stage for Matamata Civic Centre

(Refer to page 22 of the Consultation Document)

Topic 7: The services we provide

(Refer to page 24 of the Consultation Document)

Topic 8: Te Aroha Library

(Refer to page 26 of the Consultation Document)

Topic 9: Our approach to rates and debt

(Refer to page 53 of the Consultation Document)

Additional comments or feedback:

 

Copied from email received:
Subject: SUBMISSION ON RATING PROPOSAL:

Firstly I would like to record that the LTP is extremely well written using clear and simple language - it is a model of what can be done to make understanding easy for that ordinary person.

I have had conversation with Councillor Bruce Dewhurst and he has explained the background to the causes of the rate increase. However on further examination of the causes for the increase, one item of staff remuneration is driven by the expansion of the new building in the district leading to more staff to service the developers/builders. If that is the case why would would there be the need for an "across the board” 3.5 percentage points increase for all employees? Similarly the building industry is in a slump and by all accounts there is no increase in activity expected for at least two years - given the interest rates are expected to stay until next calendar year and given that it takes developers a time to ramp their activity it seems highly unlikely that their activity will put pressure on the planning consents next year.

I would like to see the Councillors review the 3.5 percentage point planned increase for the 2024/25 year.

In doing that review I would remind councillors that the increase in rates for the three years ending 2025/26 will be nearly 41% on a compounding basis (i.e 14.4% year 1, then 15.7% of 114.4%, then 6.3% of 32%, equals 40.71%). For many people on a fixed income this level of increase is unreasonable and their fixed incomes will not match that figure even before tax. The long term plan mentions the need to recognise the number of people on low or fixed incomes . An increase of nearly 41% does not recognise this demographic.

I trust this submission is of use to the Councillors.

Kind regards


John Stirling