Workshopping the Annual Plan 2026/27

Mayor Janet Holborow says the Annual Plan 2026/27, or Year 3 of the Long-term Plan, set a 7 percent average rates revenue increase.

“Where we’ve got to so far is a 6.4 percent rates revenue increase, but we have more discussions to come before locking in that number,” says Mayor Holborow.

“Where we actually started was at 8.4 percent rates increase due to the impact of inflation, debt, depreciation, and interest costs.

“Council staff were asked to find as many savings as possible without compromising our ability to delivery key infrastructure and levels of service.

“These have been workshopped with councillors on 16 and 18 December and again in a public workshop on 5 February.

 “Savings considerations have been done alongside assessing Central Government reform programmes such as the Resource Management Act amendments, Systems Improvement Bill, Simplifying Local Government and Rates Capping and what the financial impacts might be when they become legislated.

 “For the most part the Annual Plan will be in line with what we consulted with our community on when we set the Long-term Plan. At this stage, the changes we’re making will mean we don’t need to carry out formal consultation with the associated costs involved.

 “We value the community’s feedback and encourage people to talk to their elected members at any time to ensure we understand their needs and priorities. This will be particularly important as we begin to prepare the Long-term Plan 2027-37 which will begin on the back of this Annual Plan. We’re anticipating changes to levels of service and work programmes in the financial years ahead which will involve extensive consultation with our community around March next year.”