23 March 2006

Manukau City Councillors last night agreed to the contents of the draft Long Term Council Community Plan, voting for a proposed average rate rise of 5.9 per cent for next year.

The formal adoption of the draft plan will be taken at Council next week (30 March).

Key issues in the draft plan include

- a proposed change to the rating system, which would see rates based on annual value as opposed to land value

- a proposal to create Manukau Building Consultants and Leisure Services as Council Controlled Organisations

- a two-year trial of two Pay and Display parking locations (Manukau City Centre – Davies Avenue, and Half Moon Bay parking area for weekends and public holidays)

- a move to mobile recycling bins for household kerbside recycling in 2008/09

- provision of infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing city, particularly the Flat Bush town centre development.

Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau, says the proposed change to the rating system, from land value to annual value, reflects the fact that the current rating system is inadequate to meet the challenges of a complex, evolving city.

“Of the three systems available - capital value, land value and annual value – we believe annual value is the fairest and most equitable, and will help the city meet both current and future challenges as we continue to grow.

“Under annual value, rates are based on the higher of 80 per cent of annual rental value or five per cent of capital value.

“In the past, Manukau City Council has adopted the value of the land only as the basis for the determination of rates.”

Manukau residents will soon receive their Notice of Rating Valuation from Quotable Value which will show the value of the land, improvements and capital value and, for the first time, will include annual value on the notice.

Sir Barry says the Council would also like to hear from the community about its proposal to create Manukau Building Consultants and Leisure Services as Council Controlled Organisations.

“CCOs offer councils the benefits of a commercial perspective with regards to governance, innovation, and improve service delivery.

“Residents should note that Council’s proposal for Manukau Leisure as a CCO provides for continuation of free access to swimming pools in the city.”

The draft LTCCP will be open for submissions till 10 May. A summary of the draft plan will be sent to residents from mid April. Submissions should be sent to the Annual Plan Co-ordinator at Manukau City Council, faxed to 262 5737 or emailed to jbutler@manukau.govt.nz.

ENDS

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