Upper Hutt City Council

Councils are not banks. However, we have an obligation to ratepayers to spend on roads, recycling etc. not white elephant projects. Add value.

Implement conditions on developers so they have to contribute to improved infrastructure in specified situations.

Publicise what rates pay for.

Enact procedures where councillors are required to be accountable for policies they support.

Explore revenue earning investment opportunities for council, which will lead to a reduction in rates.

Continue to fight the amalgamation plans for Upper Hutt to join Wellington when the discussion re-emerges or else our rates will increase.

Scrutinise our finances, reduce costs where possible, and ensure that councillors communicate with ratepayers to explain how money is spent.

Keep rates as low as possible.

Ensure Upper Hutt City Council keeps within its debt limits.

Ensure that council spending is directed at value for money and all proposed spending, operating and capital, is rigorously examined.

Keeping rates increases within 6%.

Finishing our current Long term plan projects within budget.

Ensuring that our debt levels are not over committed.

Value for money is all ratepayers ask of our rates. This needs spent on basic infrastructure not vanity projects. Rates must stay affordable.

Sustainable debt levels will give us the best chance of being master of our own destiny. We are lucky that presently our debt is affordable.

Fees and charges do not represent the service that is required they have to improve. A vibrant city needs a well oiled, efficient council.

Maintain rates. The council rate rise effects the living style of an individual and especially population from deprived areas.

Promote children or family friendly park. The investment in such a sector is the real growth of city.

Keep rates as low as possible while also servicing the needs and wants of Upper Hutt residents.

Continue prudent and careful investment to ensure debt level is sustainable.

Ensure accessibility is the most important factor so as not to become a user pays community – giving everyone a fair chance to participate.

Ensure we take a long-term approach to financial planning rather than just the short-term approach which proves problematic for the future.

Help the community understand their contribution and the value that's realised from their investment.

Implement a development fund to fund infrastructure investment.

Support the existing long term plan.

Supports council debt policy outlined in long term plan.

Continue prudent management of council finances and setting of rates.

Introduce a new levy on developers to fund infrastructure in new suburbs.

Commit to reducing the fees and charges for all sporting codes using council facilities.

Continue commitment to not raise our rates by more than 6% year on year till 2031.

Introduce a new levy on developers to fund infrastructure to reflect a 50 population estimation in new suburbs.

Commit to moving rates from capital gains evaluated to land value tax.

Complimentary to the bank proposal, charge no rates on residents who have mortgages with the proposed bank.

Establish a rates deferment scheme for pensioners.

Support the continued careful financial management of the city, maximising value for ratepayers.

Ensure council debt is kept to a responsible minimum and well managed.

Ensure new developments are fully responsible for their impact on infrastructure and ongoing costs are anticipated and planned.

Reprioritise council expenditure towards key infrastructure.

Reduce the fees of using grounds/facilities for local sports clubs.

Introduce a development contributions policy so developers pay their fair share towards the cost of growing infrastructure.