Rate rise riles Community Board deputy chair
(‘Kapiti’s rate rise highest in region’)
News that Kapiti’s planned rates rise is the highest in the region is a ‘massive cause for concern’, says Guy Burns,.Raumati/Paraparaumu Community Board Deputy Chair.
“A 5.9 percent increase is over the top and, frankly, outrageous given that inflation is running at just under one per cent,” he says.
“Rising resident’s rates is the easy option when you are a monopoly with no competition.
“The current organisation configuration of Council is flawed and a Rolls Royce model in terms of the use of consultants, service delivery and staff structure.
Independent review sought
Mr Burns adds: “An independent organisational review is necessary.
“Rates are already high in Kapiti – at more than 4% of average household income (http://futurekapiti.kapiticoast.govt.nz/summary-booklet/delivering-our-long-term-plan/financial-overview/) and are increasingly unmanageable for many households.
“Those on fixed incomes and even salaried professionals can’t go and demand a pay rise because Council rates have gone up – they need to cut other household spending to pay the increased rates bills.”
Living within one’s means
Deputy chair Burns also says: “Council should be striving to reduce its spending to live within its means. Such as; doing a bit less, (for example Town Centre upgrade), reducing organisational overheads, introducing more user-pays charges so that costs are paid by those who benefit from specific services.
“Massive rates hikes are not acceptable. KCDC needs to reduce spending to mitigate rates rises.”
Average rate rises in the region
| Kapiti Coast | 5.90% |
| Porirua | 4.90% |
| South Wairarapa | 3.75% |
| Carterton | 3.60% |
| Wellington | 3.30% |
| Upper Hutt | 2.83% |
| Masterton | 2.40% |
| Lower Hutt | 2.30% |
( Note: Read more from the dompost at: — PROPOSED AVERAGE RATES INCREASES AROUND THE REGION — from www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/91648268/rate-hikes-defended-as-kapiti-coast-mayor-says-to-region-youre-eating-your-future)
The reality is that the cupboard is bare because of the squandering of tens of millions of Ratepayer dollars under the Rowan and Church mayoralties on useless projects like the water meters, the bore fields and the recharge system. And, of course, on the bloated council bureaucracy; for example, why does there need to be six members of the “communications team”? One person would do.
The council just doesn’t want to accept that it now needs to be put on a strict fiscal diet; instead it’s tax, borrow and spend as before.
There needs to be a thorough, independent performance audit of the council.