Improved Financial Rating Outlook for DCC

Dunedin (Monday, 9 December 2013) – The Dunedin City Council’s consistent efforts to achieve its financial targets have been rewarded.

In a Research Update released today, Standard and Poor’s (S & P) has revised the DCC’s outlook to stable, taking the organisation off a negative outlook. It confirmed an AA long-term and A-1+ short-term issuer credit ratings.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says the announcement is great news.

“This is an acknowledgement of the continued hard work by elected members and staff to reduce operational spending and debt levels.”

In November 2012, S & P confirmed the DCC group credit rating at AA long term and A-1+ in the short term, but put Dunedin on a negative outlook. This was not a downgrade, but the agency made it clear the DCC needed to follow through with its tough financial targets.

In its 2013 update, S & P states the outlook revision to stable reflects the DCC’s improved liquidity and budgetary performance.

“We expect these improvements to be sustained, allowing Dunedin to reduce its debt burden.”

The agency also considered the likelihood of significant adverse findings from the Auditor-General’s inquiry into Delta Utility Services Ltd (a DCC company) to be low.

“The ratings reflect our view of New Zealand’s predictable and supportive institutional framework, plus our very positive view of Dunedin’s financial management, and the council’s strong budgetary performance.

“The outlook revision reflects Dunedin’s improved liquidity and budgetary performance, which we expect to be sustained, allowing Dunedin to reduce its debt burden.”

The revised outlook was announced at today’s full Council meeting, where a vote of thanks to staff was recorded, amid applause.

S & P is expected to release its full report in about a week.

ENDS

© Scoop Media