Draft Annual Plan to be released this week

Changes in direction to sharpen the focus on customer services and improve financial performance are the keynotes in the Far North District Council's 2008/2009 draft Annual Plan released for public comment this week.


The plan calls for a range of initiatives designed to bring about operational cost-savings, to redirect capital to key infrastructural areas such as roading, water and wastewater and to encourage economic growth.


Changes will be required to the 10-year plan adopted in 2006 to accommodate a number of the proposed new directions, and the council will be consulting with the community on a number of these initiatives as part of this year's Annual Plan process.


Community comment and feedback is being sought on planned changes to the Development Contributions policy, a proposal to discontinue the rates discount policy, plans to introduce a new targeted rate on commercial properties to support economic development initiatives, proposals to reorganize the customer services available at Kaeo, Rawene and Kawakawa and plans to convert the Te Ahu Trust to a council controlled organisation.


The council is also seeking informal community feedback on the proposed capital works programme through to 2016 to establish whether priorities need to be changed when the Far North Future Plan is reviewed next year, and has flagged its intention later this year to take a closer look at rating options, including the possibility of changing from a land value to a capital value rating system.


The $104 million budget for 2008/2009 includes provision for a $52.5 million capital works programme.


A summary of the draft plan is being circulated to ratepayers this week and the plan will be open to public submission until 18 April 2008. Copies of the plan can be viewed at any Far North library, council offices or service centres. The plan will also available on the council's website at www.fndc.govt.nz . Hard copies and CD copies are available by contacting (09) 401 5377 or by emailing success@fndc.govt.nz