Ellesmere County rate rise kept to 19 per cent

Press, 24 June 1981, Page 5

Ellesmere County rate rise kept to 19 per cent

Members of the Ellesmere County Council gave themselves a pat on the back, at their meeting this week for keeping rate increases down over the last 12 years.

The meeting confirmed the new scale of rates and charges for the 1981-1982 which v.i.e discussed at its last meeting. It included a general rate increase of 19.44 per cent.

In a report on costs faced by tite council, the County Clerk (Mr G. R. Singleton) said the council had exercised restraint in keeping its rate increase lower than many other local authorities in Canterbury. Since the 1970-1971 financial year, the county's general rate collection had increased by 321.5 per cent, which amounted to a compounding increase of nearly 14 per cent each year.

Rates collected on behalf of the North Canterbury Catchment Board had increased by an over-all total of nearly 884.5 per cent in that time, said Mr Singleton. Its administration levy had increased 21.5 per cent each year.

He estimated that inflation would mean an increase of nearly 301 per cent by the end of this financial yhar. The Ministry of Works and Development construction cost index had increased by 501 per cent and petrol hail increased by nearly 577 per

cent. Audit fees had increased by nearly 701 per cent since 1970? Interest rates had increased by 125 per cent.

Mr Singleton said he had broken down the figures for the 12-year period to show the areas of inflation to which the council had been exposed. Rates would bring in 35 per cent of the council's income this year, he said. Loans would account for an estimated 20 per cent of its income, and subsidies 11.5 per cent. Of the council's estimated expenditure. 21.6 per cent was for capital projects. 18.9 per cent for reading. 14.6 per cent for plant and nearly 13 per cent for administration, payments to other authorities would account for 'more than 5 per cent of the council's spending. No meeting The council decided to decline an invitation to meet the National Party candidate for Seiwyn (Miss Ruth Richardson). Several councillors said they wanted to' keep out of the political field. If councillors met one candidate, they would have to meet all candidates. However, they would be prepared to meet Miss Richardson if she ' was elected as the member of Parliament for Selwyn.

Sewerage

The meeting adopted a recommendation that minor changes, which would cost about $l5OO. should be made to the Lincoln sewage treatment plant.

The modifications were suggested by a Ministrv of Works inspector. In his' report the inspector said that the plant was well maintained.

He suggested that the t 'nincil look into the costs of making major modifications to cope with a bigger population.