Rise in Gardens fee
section items totalling $1.91 million – which don’t appear to have an immediate direct effect on frontline services – were also agreed.
However, councillor Thomson was concerned at a $500,000 reduction in the council’s automation programme, given its potential to generate savings. She urged staff to come back to the governance arm if this caused problems.
Also, councillors rejected cutting $200,000 from the transport-related Access Hamilton strategy and halved to $100,000 a reduction in funds for big picture sub-regional planning.
Meanwhile, a $34 million reduction in capital expenditure – which has no impact in the operating deficit – was also approved.
A public engagement and submissions programme – at lower levels than some previous years – will be undertaken over the draft annual plan, supplemented by an extra $20,000 agreed at the meeting.
Councillors talked of doing more in future about debt levels and the need to look harder at spending as part of the 2024-34 long term plan (LTP) process.
’’We need to continue to focus on efficiency through the LTP,’’ said Southgate.
‘‘I expect a deeper dive.’’
Councillor Emma Pike said the council’s debt to revenue ratio was getting too high and close to its limit.
‘‘Times are tough and everyone is pinching their pennies, and it’s important that council shows some restraint.’’
Councillor Geoff Taylor said the $3.1 million deficit reduction felt a bit ‘‘hollow’’ and the council couldn’t pay off deficits unless it got back in surplus.
Taylor said the council shouldn’t try to ‘‘insulate’’ itself from economic realities faced by the public through the use of debt. ‘‘Unless you reduce that deficit you’re not being honest with the community.’’
Thomson, however, declared herself very happy that the council was not looking at making ‘‘deep cuts’’ to public-facing services.