Rating Inquiry

Summary of the Outcomes of the Rating Inquiry (November 2008)

As statements of proposal are progressively released over the next few months some in your community may begin asking what happened to the recommendations of the Rating Inquiry and why that has not been reflected in drafts. FMWP has prepared a summary of the results of the Inquiry and the Government as they stood on 10 November that you can use with your communities as desired. At the time of writing it was unclear what the priorities of the incoming Minister of Local Government would be, if need be we will revisit the summary early in 2008. Download the summary here

No Magic Answers (March 2008)

Funding Local Government: The Report of the 2007 Independent Inquiry into Local Government Rating (‘the Shand report’) made seven recommendations relating to local government’s actual set of rating tools. Chief among these were:

the abolition of powers to levy a uniform annual general charge (UAGC)
the abolition of powers to levy general rates on a differential basis
strong encouragement for local authorities to switch to the capital value system
strong encouragement for local authorities to introduce volumetric charging (metering) for water supply and wastewater disposal.

These recommendations represent the views of the Inquiry panel on an allocation of rates that would be more equitable than the present system. This report shows the results of modelling work that a sample of 20 territorial authorities (city and district councils) undertook for Local Government New Zealand and SOLGM to determine whether and how the distribution of rates across the community could be affected. Each local authority was asked to model four different scenarios:

Download the report here. Download media realease here

Did the Inquiry Get Real (19 October 2007) A Consultative Document for Members of Local Government New Zealand and SOLGM

Download the document here.

This document highlights key issues arising out of the report of the Independent Inquiry. The perios of consultation on this document has now closed.

Rating Inquiry Forum (25 September 2007)

Download notes from Breakout Discussion Groups at the Forum >>>>.

Note this simply records the key points raised in the discussion, and does not at this stage represent agreed policy of SOLGM (or anyone else)

Rating Inquiry Forum (3 September 2007)

The Forum was held jointly by SOLGM and LGNZ on 3 September 2007. A background paper entitled "Did the Inquiry ‘Get Real’? - An Initial Commentary on the Recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Rates" was prepared as background for this. You can download this here.

You can also download the PowerPoints used by presenters at the Seminar below:

Welcome and Introduction - Basil Morrison, President, Local Government New Zealand >>>>

What Does the Report Say - Four presentations that discuss the findings and recommendations of the report and provide an initial commentary on their implications;

General Findings Mike Reid, Local Government New Zealand >>>>
Funding Tools Raymond Horan, SOLGM >>>>
Exceptions, Maori Land, and Valuation Les Weir, Dunedin City >>>>
Decision Making and Accountability Don Mackay, SOLGM >>>>

Report of the Independent Inquiry into Rates (28 August 2007)

The Inquiry's report was released on 28 August 2007. The report can be downloaded from. the Inquiry's website >>>>

The Inquiry commissioned a number of Consultants' Reports. These can also be downloaded from the Inquiry's website >>>>

The site also has a library of the submissions made to the Inquiry >>>>

Rating Inquiry - SOLGM / LGNZ Submission (7 May 2007)

The joint SOLGM / LGNZ submission to the Rating Inquiry has been finalised and delivered to the Inquiry. It is entitled "Getting Real: Funding the True Cost of Local Communities". You can download a copy >>>>.

You can also download a copy of the joint media release about it issued by SOLGM and LGNZ >>>>.

Rating Inquiry Background Paper (14 February 2007)

The Inquiry has published its own background paper for interested parties. This is available on the Inquiry's website at www.ratesinquiry.govt.nz. Alternatively you can download the paper here.

Local Government Funding Project - Reports Released (13 February 2007)

The reports of the Local Government Funding Project have been publicly released via the DIA website.

You can download copies below:

Local Government Funding Project First Report July 2005 >>>>
Local Government Funding Project Second Report December 2006 >>>>
Local Government Funding Project Third Report - Alternative Tax Bases December 2006 >>>>