26% of ratepayers owe council

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 504, 21 September 1993, Page 3

26% of ratepayers owe council

Ruapehu District councillors were told last week that rates debtors throughout the district amounted to 26% of all ratepayers, according to Audit New Zealand. Audit New Zealand's representative Stephen Lewis said it was up to Ruapehu District Council to decide whether that level of debt is acceptable on a percentage basis or whether, by reducing all rates on every ratepayer, it would reduce the number of rates debtors. Audit New Zealand commended Ruapehu District Council on its appointment of a person specifi-

cally to undertake collection of rates arrears who reports to council every month. Audit Audit New Zealand presented its report on the current financial condition and long-term planning of the Ruapehu District Council at its meeting in Taumarunui last week. The report was presented in person by Stephen Lewis of the New Zealand Audit Office who explained that a similar exercise has been carried out over all city, district and regional councils in New Zealand. He explained that, in order to get an appreciation of

the nation- wide 'picture' of ratios and trends, all 1991 local authority axmual reports had been analysed to provide a 'median' result between 'highs' and 'lows'. To make these comparisons between different councils they were divided into the following categories: Large cities (populations of over 90,000); medium-sized councils (populations of 20,000-90,000); smallsized councils (populations of less than 20,000); regional councils. Ruapehu District was classified in the 'smallsized' council category. Mr Lewis told council-

lors that the current financial position and operational systems of the Ruapehu District Council were "satisfactory" and commented favourably on council' s willingness to look at suggested improvements together with setting up processes to cope with change which have already started. Councillors were told that they were about 'midway' when compared with other councils ... "ahead of some, behind others". Cr Stuart Shaw questioned the value of monthly summaries of progress saying that percentages would be so small that they would be of little value given the

seasonal nature of the local employment scene. He went on to say that a monthly summary would involve extra cost to council and councillors, who even now don't have time to study in detail all the information presented and would have difficulty coping with additionalreading. Mr Lewis explained that what Audit New Zealand had in mind was not a detailed summary but a general "over-view" to give councillors a sense of confidence about trends between the more thorough quarterly reports which are presented as they are now.