The Finance & Performance committee have voted on the Rural Rates Review Proposal.
There were two motions put forward:
The first motion was to not consult on the proposal to reallocate rates within the farm/lifestyle sector. (For Penny Hulse, Against Linda Cooper). This motion was lost.
Instead, the council passed the motion to”consult on the proposal to reallocate rates from large farm/lifestyle properties over the entire rating base.” (Against Penny Hulse, For Linda Cooper)
I have asked for clarification on the meaning of the decision and will update here. But initial thoughts are either of these options is a better result for Oratia’s small landholders, which would see a handful of small land holders paying for a Large farm rates reduction. But, it’s not clear what the cost increase would be if spread across the entire rating base.
Full copy of the decision following page break. Agenda
From the Council Minutes Voting Below:
10 Rural Rates Review
Cr WB Cashmore and Member G Wilcox declared an interest in this item and left the room at 10.11am. Cr WD Walker entered the meeting at 10.47am.
MOVED by Cr C Darby, seconded by Cr CM Casey: That the Finance and Performance Committee agree that its preference is to: a) not consult on the proposal to reallocate rates within the farm/lifestyle sector.
A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:
For Mayor LCM Brown, Cr CM Casey Deputy Chairperson, RI Clow, Cr C Darby, Deputy Mayor PA Hulse,Cr ME Lee Cr WD Walker Cr J Watson Cr GS Wood
Against Cr CE Brewer Cr LA Cooper Cr CE Fletcher Cr DA Krum Cr CM Penrose Cr D Quax Cr SL Stewart Member K Macdonald J Walker Chairperson MP Webster Abstained
The motion was declared LOST by 9 votes to 10.
Resolution number FIN/2015/110 MOVED by Cr CM Penrose, seconded by Cr CE Fletcher: That the Finance and Performance Committee agree that its preference is to: a) consult on the proposal to reallocate rates from large farm/lifestyle properties over the entire rating base
. A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:
For Cr CE Brewer Mayor LCM Brown Cr LA Cooper Cr CE Fletcher Cr DA Krum Cr CM Penrose Cr D Quax Cr SL Stewart Member K Macdonald Cr JG Walker Chairperson MP Webster
Against Cr CM Casey Deputy Chairperson RI Clow Cr C Darby Deputy Mayor PA Hulse Cr ME Lee Cr WD Walker Cr J Watson Cr GS Wood Abstained The motion was declared
CARRIED by 11 votes to 8. CARRIED Finance and Performance Committee 28 October 2015 Minutes
Page 6 Resolution number FIN/2015/111 MOVED by Cr CE Fletcher, seconded by Cr CM Penrose: That the Finance and Performance Committee agree that its preference is to: b) consult on an amendment to the rates remission and postponement policy to remit the difference in rates between what a property is charged for its smaller individual blocks, and what it will be charged if it was rated as a single combined property. CARRIED Cr WB Cashmore and Member G Wilcox returned to the meeting at 11.00am. Member K MacDonald left the meeting at 11.01am. The meeting adjourned at 11.01am and reconvened at 11.07am.