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| August 2001 |
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Some say thanks to Council . . . Every year a small number of residents express their appreciation to the Council for the work that it does for the community. A member of the Samoan community wrote as part of the consultation process over the annual plan: "We are very much thankful for New Zealand councils for the greatest work they are doing day by day no stop. People like us we very lucky when we go to sleep means we had a good sleep no worry, but you council people I am sure some of you don’t have much sleep but worry where money to pay for that and pay for this." Three documents — the draft plan, strategic statement and capital works programme — attracted 801 submissions raising 1017 issues. The majority addressed issues in the draft plan, with few concerning the strategic (financial) statement. The number of submissions was similar to those received over the past five years. The City Scene questionnaire on the use of Orion money attracted 638 submissions, down from previous years when a variety of questions were posed. A record number of personal submissions were made to the Annual Plan Working Party — including the appearance of one kiwi that was brought by the Conservation Trust. More than 150 submitters represented a 68 per cent increase on last year’s figure. There has been a steady increase in recent years in the number of submitters appearing in support of their submissions. Eight days were needed to hear the submissions instead of the usual four or five. Four issues, the Endowment Fund (set up with Orion money), the floral festival funding, green-waste charges and the Lyttelton marina attracted the majority of submissions. However, there were reduced numbers of submissions that made generalised criticism of the level of rates and Council spending. Three years ago 53 submitters were concerned about these issues, but this year the number was 23. On 12 July the Council adopted a 2.28 per cent overall rate increase for the coming financial year. Rates will raise a total of $137.58 million. |
