RANGITIKEILINE BULLETIN
Rates resolution for 2017/18
At its meeting on 29 June 2017, Council approved the rates resolution – the statutory mechanism for setting and collecting rates. Council confirmed that it would allow a discount of 2.5% provided the year’s rates were paid in full by the due date for the first instalment.
Establishment of separate Maori Wards for the 2019 elections
Te Roopu Ahi Kaa (Council’s standing Iwi advisory committee) recommended that Council consider establishing separate Māori wards on the basis of a two ward structure. Council has agreed to do this on the basis of a detailed briefing – introducing separate Māori wards would require a change to the current five wards through which Councillors are elected. This will have no effect on how the Mayor is elected as, by law, that role must be elected on an ‘at large’ basis (i.e. by every registered elector in the District).
Proposed Parking and Traffic bylaw to go out for consultation
Consultation will begin shortly on a parking and traffic bylaw. If adopted, this will give Council the power to deal with vehicles over-staying parking limits and vehicles left on roads without engines, or which lack current warrants of fitness and registration. The proposed bylaw will also allow Council to prohibit certain classes of heavy vehicles using any road or (as an alternative) to impose a fee to use such a road as compensation for damage likely to occur. Submissions will be sought between 17 July and 8 September 2017. Council will make its decision at its meeting on 26 October 2017.
Safe pedestrian access between Taihape CBD and Otaihape Valley Road/Dixon Way
For some time the Taihape Community Board has been concerned about pedestrian safety on the well used route between the CBD and Otaihape Valley Road and Dixon Way, which is alongside SH-1 (including the railway over-bridge). The New Zealand Transport Agency has agreed to investigate the problem using its investment logic mapping process. This will be done at a workshop with the Taihape Community Board on 12 July 2017.
Taihape water reticulation upgrade
Council has signed off two packages of work totalling $952,000 (GST exclusive) for water main renewals in Hautapu, Linnet, Toroa, Robin and Tui Streets. These works have been planned to coincide with roading renewals. I D Loader and B Bullock were the successful tenderers and the work will be completed during 2017/18.
Taihape Memorial Park Project
Following referral to the Taihape Community Board, Council has adopted a project brief to guide the identification and assessment of viable options for amenities/grandstand/recreational facilities on Taihape Memorial Park. This step acknowledges the lack of consensus from the 2017/18 Annual Plan submission process. It is intended that the process engage user groups as well as the wider community, taking a longer-term view of needs, opportunities and funding. Consultation would occur as part of the community engagement for the 2018-28 Long Term Plan.
Local Government Excellence Programme
Rangitikei was one of 21 councils which volunteered to participate in the new Local Government Excellence Programme. Two assessors came to the Council during March. However, the much greater take-up by councils of the programme (six was the target) and the logistics of running it for the first time have meant further delays in finalising assessments. As a result the assessment report and rating for Rangitikei will be released during October.