700 Signatures Update for “Stop the Massive Rates Increase in Upper Hutt City”
We have smashed through the 700 signatures, Wow what a response. Thanks again to all that have signed and promoted this petition.
https://www.change.org/UHRatesIncrease
Today I have seen a news article in The Post regarding the massive increases to the Upper Hutt Rates over the next 3 years.
The Post - Near-20% rates rise on the cards for Upper Hutt ratepayers
This article quotes the Mayor, saying We must “find areas where spending can be reduced or deferred.”
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When you go through making a submission and read the information on Making Hard Decisions Together you really question the people we have in charge of our City.
The Council need to go back and learn basic maths.
For example : We are told on page 18 of the Consultation Document (snippets of these pages are in the picture in this email) . Reductions in Activation will save $249,342 in year 1 and ($3.7m over 10 years). With no explanation of how they get the numbers.
When I went to school when you multiplied something by 10 you shifted the decimal place one space to the right. This would make is: 10Yr saving $2,493,420 or $2.49m
They also state page 17 in the yellow box...that "It would cost approximately $33.9m extra over the next 10 years to keep activities and grants".
Simple solution: Once H20 is built at a cost of $51m they have extensions planned. Do not do the extension at an additional cost of $34.81m according to their numbers (Page 36 ), and the repaving of Main St at a cost of $5.65m total of approx. (Page 36). $40m. Problem solved, no cuts required.
What qualifications do these people in council have? No disrespect to people only the ability to do the job. There is a lot of shiny things in the plan which could and should be put on the back burner for more community-based services.
Even though I question how the council are doing the Submissions and the questions they ask (No real mention of the Rates increases), Submissions are the only way the council are allowing feedback on the Long Term Plan and it is important to submit a response.
Link to the submissions page: https://letskorero.upperhuttcity.com/
- Register on this page
- Then go to this link to make a submission https://letskorero.upperhuttcity.com/ltp/surveys/long-term-plan-submission
Lastly, A reminder to those who may not know. There is a public meeting tonight regarding the Long Term Plan, details below:
Cossie Club - Long Term Plan
Tuesday, 23 April 2024 | 05:00 PM to 06:00 PM
Upper Hutt Cossie Club 11 Logan Street, Upper Hutt