‘Facts available’ for differential rating system

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34087, 26 February 1976, Page 18

‘Facts available’ for differential rating system

All the facts necessary to implement a differential rating system in Christchurch were available, a Labour city councillor, Mr B. Alderdice, (said yesterday. ; He was commenting on a J report in "The Press” in ! which the Mayor of ChristI church (Mr H. G. Hay) said j that a differential rating sys- , tem was not practical bei cause of incomplete informjation, and the present council task of shifting to instalment rating. “I challenge the Mayor’s statement,” Cr Alderdice said. “I say that all the information required for differential rating—which is designed to ! shift the burden of rates i from residential to comi mercial and industrial properties—is available, and has been for some months, ever since new Government valuations were posted to all householders. "The incomplete informa-1 tion the Mayor is talking about is on a Government I tape which has to be checked.” Cr Alderdice said., “An elementary differential j system in a limited form! could be introduced on the factual information we have. I

■ 1 All that is needed is a Gov- . ernment valuation, zoning, and variations from zoning. A 1! this information is available in the Government file. "The Mayor should admit J that it is his inability to gef a computer programme arranged that is holding up lithe scheme,” said Cr Alder,’dice. “He has had months ■ and months to design a pofi icy, but I still do not know his philosophy on differential rating. He says he is not shelving it. but his actions tell different. He is using instalment rating as an excuse, but that does not save thtf home-owner an}’ money, which is more important." Differential rating would shift the burden of rates to those who had the ability to. pay, such as commercial and industrial properties, and could be used to save the home-owner up to Sim a year. “Last year, commercial and industrial properties had had a reduction in their rates |while everybody else had had their rates increased by up to 150 per cent. “The Mayor said he wanted ito study annual valuation I rating.” Cr Alderdice said. !"A differential rating system icould well provide the basis ifor his analysis.”