Submission Details
Full Name:
Andi Lusty
Business/Organisation (if applicable):
Date Submitted
2024-04-17 12:45:25
Our Approach to Rates and Debt
What do you think we should do?
Alternative option: Borrow money to help cover the high increase for the year ahead?
Do you have any comments?
The closest option available to comment on.... Where is the option to reduce costs, reduce the bureaucracy and staff numbers? We live in a rural community outside Matamata and have done so for 45 years, our property extends to just 1 hectare, and we would like to stay here a while longer, but to subdivide to build a smaller eco house, is apparently not in the district plan. We were advised by the council that despite being surrounded by smallholdings, it would not even be worth making the application. This after getting legal advice and supporting environmental reports (viz we already have separate tanks and power) at a cost of over $25,000. If we did apply we were assured that many other reports would be demanded at a far greater cost, with very little likelihood of success. It seems that the council could cut red tape and reduce staff numbers in this single section to allow the ratepayers to save money and live their lives without being constantly dictated to in this Socialist environment.
Revenue and Finance Policy
Do you agree with the proposed Revenue and Financing Policy?
No, I disagree - please explain?
Do you have any comments on this?
I would like to find out just what cuts have been made to Council spending, in particular: 1. What staff reductions are planned for the new year, and how do they compare with say 4 years ago. 2. What red tape has been removed to reduce bureaucracy in all areas, and what savings has this lead to, regarding cost savings (cash and staff numbers). 3. How have council staff rates of pay changed over the last 4 years, (average % per year). I suspect that has been significantly more than our pension increases.
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