We were privileged to receive a visit from 5 members of Hutt City Council. The Council is currently preparing its long-term plan and is seeking input. The visitors were Ken Laban (Mayor), Keri Brown (Deputy Mayor), Glenda Barratt, Kaz Yung, and Brady Dyer.
An animated Question and Answer session occurred. Topics covered included:
- Central Government has delayed the timeline of Amalgamation due to the Elections in November. This, alongside the proposed rates cap has meant that Councils now need to adjust their Long Term Plan to manage expenditure.
- Sports facilities are free, but facilities for the Arts are costly, sometimes impossibly so.
- Flood Zones, affecting property values, have been extended, sometimes unreasonably so.
- Hutt City have speeded up preparation of LIM Reports which was appreciated.
- The old Melling Bridge continues to be in use, but it will have to be removed as construction continues.
- There is a review of all the pools in Hutt City. No decision has been made as yet, but there is a possibility the number of pools will need to be decided.