Annual plan finalised

Mayor David Ogden and councillors have signed-off Hutt City’s annual plan for 2010-11.

Council’s rates revenue will increase by 2.6%, which is likely to mean a rates increase of just 2% for the average ratepayer.

Mayor Ogden says the small increase is a good result during difficult times.

“With costs rising and people struggling, I’m pleased we’ve been able to keep the rise to a minimum.

“We’ve successfully struck a balance between keeping rates down and providing the services, facilities and infrastructure ratepayers expect from us.

“We’ve made a number of changes to the plan following consultation with the public. Areas of new spending include the Taita Netball courts, marae funding, the Eastern Bays walkway, graffiti removal, the Sculpture Trust, Stokes Valley shopping centre, maintenance of our wharves and CCTV mast.

“We’ve also brought funding for a number of projects forward, including the McKenzie Pool, the Tutukiwi Living Gallery, Black Creek flood protection, and the Wainuiomata Bush Fire Force headquarters.”

Mayor Ogden says that like ratepayers, council has to live within its means.

“Regrettably we can’t afford to do everything we would like at once which has meant difficult choices including the deferring of a small number of projects by one or two years.

“We’ve also asked our chief executive to find operational savings of $200,000 every year.

“My thanks to everyone who made a submission on the draft plan, council officers for their advice and assistance, and finally, to the councillors for their careful deliberations.

“I am confident that together we have come up with an affordable annual plan that will deliver ‘a better city, every day’,” says Mayor Ogden.