MEDIA RELEASE

Date 7 March 2013

PCC Draft Annual Plan – Prudent And Pragmatic

Porirua City Council last night approved for public consultation its Draft Annual Plan for the 2013/14 financial year, with a proposed average rates increase of 3.0%.

In preparing this draft Plan, the Council has considered change to the purpose of local government in the Local Government Amendment Act 2012 which focuses on good quality local infrastructure, local public services and providing regulatory functions efficiently and effectively.

“This is Year Two of our Long Term Plan and the proposed increase of 3% is in line with what was forecast in the LTP,” says Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett.

“We remain committed to upgrading our infrastructure and investment in our city centre as outlined in the LTP. But we have also worked hard to be able to absorb within that 3%, significant new costs that have arisen since the LTP was adopted in June 2012,” he said.

The most significant proposed budget increase for the Plan (0.5% rates increase over the next 7 years) is the continuation of the Council’s membership to the Local Authority Protection Programme (LAPP). The increase is as a result of increases to insurance premiums, following the Christchurch earthquakes, for the protection of core assets and aims to build up reserves needed to cover a $2.5million excess.

“The Draft Plan has been prepared at a time when many changes are being made or proposed for how local government is run in New Zealand, within the Wellington region and locally. We have made provision in the draft plan for some additional funding to ensure Porirua is well served by its local authority,” says Mayor Leggett.

“In recognition of our role in the regional reform debate, the Council has added $50,000 to the proposed budget, to help fund our share of costs associated with any future reform and an additional $100,000 is also proposed for an independent review of the Council’s own expenditure, revenue and service delivery.

“I believe we have delivered a prudent and pragmatic Draft Annual Plan for the coming financial year, which helps keep our city moving forward positively, during a time of widespread change.

“I would urge all city residents and the business community to review the draft Plan and let us know if they support our approach or have concerns about it,” Mayor Leggett says.

The period for public consultation opens on 25 March and closes on 26 April 2013. Copies of the Draft Annual Plan will be available from the Council’s website www.pcc.govt.nz or from the Council’s Administration Building in Cobham Court or city libraries.

ENDS

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