Record number of submissions to annual plan

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 15, Issue 693, 1 July 1997, Page 6

Record number of submissions to annual plan

A record number of submissions to the Ruapehu District Council's 1997/98 draft annual plan were heard by a full council when they met in Taumarunui yesterday. At a special meeting starting at 9.00am, a total of 82 public submissions and 14 management submissions were on the agenda. In his introductory statement, acting chief executive Chris Ryan expressed pleasure that the submission process had attracted so much interest and attention this year. "There has been a welcome trend both in 1996 and for the 1996/97 draft annual plan last year for an increasing number of writ-

ten submissions as well as a significantly increased number of submitters who wish to appear in person to address the council in support of their submission," he said. Of the 82 public submissions, 36 of those who had made a written submission expressed a wish to be heard in person. A number of submissions related to the same issues and concerns such as library charges (32 submissions including several from pupils at the National Park and Manunui schools), refuse collection and landfill (9 submissions), stormwater, sewerage and drainage (6), cost of draft annual plan document (5), rates (4). Other submissions ad-

dressed a yariety of concerns such as footpaths, tree-planting, district promotion and the Mainstreet programme. Library Charges Judging by the number of submissions received the question of library charges was causing Ruapehu ratepayers most concern. By far.the most submissions questioned council's current lending library policy and borrowing fees. Of the 32 library submissions eight expressed the wish to address councillors in person. Four were children from the Manunui school which conducted a survey of 42 libfary authorities in New Zealand. According to this survey the current charges at

Ruapehu district libraries compares unfavourably with most, but not all, other public libraries in the country. Some do not make any charge for borrowing books while others charge between 50-80 cents for popular adult fiction. At $1, Ruapehu district libraries are among the highest chargers sharing that position with Otorohanga, Gisborne, Franklin and Rotorua, but RDC library charges for their interloan service is the cheapest in the country at $1 compared with others ranging from $1.50 up to $7.00 (Tauranga). Ruapehu plans to increase this charge to $5. Many of those making

submissions requested a free library service while other asked for reduced charges. One submissions stated that, in a district which was not a wealthy one for all its residents, the imposition of library charges was favouring an elitist society among those who could afford to use a library service. Another argues that ratepayers had already invested $242,000 in the library service and should not be charged for something they have already paid for. A further investment of $23,000 would mean a free library service could be established in the same way that council sports grounds are provided free to those wishing to use them.

Another submission described the library charges as "outrageous" and "against council's mission statement. We should not allow this asset to be used as a source of revenue collection". Annual Plan Many of the submissions called for the plan document to be made available free to ratepayers. One submission stated "as part of the council's annual planning process, the public are invited to make submissions to the annual plan. This is a democratic •process which should encourage, not discourage, consultation with the public. Charging for the plan only disheartens participation". Many councils, including

Manawatu- Wanganui Regional Council, Rotorua, South Waikato, Taupo, Rangitikei, Otorohanga, Waipa, Waitomo and Wanganui district councils provide the annual plan document at no charge. Another two submissions make the point that as the annual plan has already been paid for out of council's ratepayers derived funds, the $ 1 1 .25 charge for a copy of the plan should be removed as it amounts to a "double taxation".*Three •submissions state that from the limited amount of public interest shown in attending meetings and requesting copies of the plan, no more than about 30-40 additional copies would be required to be printed to satisfy demand.