Local Authority Rates Increases
The debate about an effective rating system is now about to start at central government level.
Len Brown, 2007 Mayoral candidate for Manukau City commented today that “While Central Government support is needed to
work through the vexed question of what to do about funding sustainability in local government funding, local
communities need to be leading the discussion if we want solutions that are relevant and long lasting”.
Len Brown, who came within 600 votes of unseating the incumbent Mayor at the last election, said that while for many it
is a tradition to feel aggrieved about rates increases, it is also important to support the proposed independent inquiry
into the rating system at this time.
A former Manukau City Councillor for 12 years, Len Brown led the development of a Council policy that capped rates
increases to the level of inflation. “This worked well” said Len. “It encouraged financial and planning discipline in
the Council organisation.”
In welcoming the independent inquiry into the rating system, Mr Brown said that the timing is good as we have got over
the worst of the market-led approach to local government. “We need to get on with the creative debate that connects
local government revenue for “common good” purposes with the level of income for individual residents.
“This does not necessarily lead to a dramatic increase in tax” says Len Brown. “There would be an increase in tax for
some but I believe a more even spread overall. The argument needs to be well researched as the devil is clearly in the
detail.”
In moving ahead with this inquiry into the rating system, we need to debate what we mean by “common good” in a way that
makes sense to local communities. Local and central government need to hear the underlying concerns that people in our
communities have deep down for where we are going and their desire to make it work collectively for the benefit of
present and future generations.”
ENDS
Len Brown
Lawyer
Mayoral Candidate Election 2007
Manukau City