Community feedback has led to further changes to Christchurch City Council’s post-COVID-19 budget.
The changes, outlined in a report that will be considered by elected members at a budget setting meeting on Thursday, include:
“More than 1000 groups and individuals made submissions on our revised 2020-21 Draft Annual Plan and after considering the feedback, the Mayor will be presenting recommendations for further budget changes,’’ says Council Chief Executive Dawn Baxendale.
“The changes reflect the priorities of our communities that were expressed both in the submissions that we received when we consulted on our original 2020-21 Draft Annual Plan and in the submissions that we received on the Updated Draft Annual Plan.’’
The Council released its original Draft Annual Plan for consultation in late February. Following the COVID-19 lockdown, it issued an Updated Draft Annual Plan that took into account the significant impact the COVID-19 crisis had on the Council’s finances and the changed social and economic conditions.
The Updated Draft Annual Plan included provision for an average residential rate rise of 1.77 per cent and an overall average rate increase of 3.5 per cent. A rate increase of that level translates to an extra 95 cents a week for the owner of an average-valued house ($508,608) or an extra $49.25 a year.
Mrs Baxendale says despite the further changes that are being recommended, the proposed rate increase remains the same.
“Growth in the rating base and higher than expected dividends from Transwaste have allowed us to off-set some of the impacts of the changes that have been included as a result of the feedback from the community.’’
The Mayor will be recommending that:
Thursday’s budget meeting will be held in the Council Chamber, beginning at 9.30am. The public are welcome to attend. The meeting will also be live-streamed.