Sumner, Mt Pleasant rates pay-up likely

Press, 18 January 1986, Page 9

Sumner, Mt Pleasant rates pay-up likely

Sumner and Mount Pleasant ratepayers seem likely to follow their fellow protesters in Merivale and pay their outstanding rates. Mr Donald Walker, chairman of the Sumner Mount Pleasant Rates Action Committee, said yesterday he thought his group would recommend that their members pay their rates, but not penalties.

That was the recommendation on Thursday evening from the Merivale Precinct

Society to its members. Together the eastern and Merivale residents have shortpaid the Christchurch City Council $360,000 in rates since September. Mr Walker echoed the words of the Merivale chairman, Mr Kim Pettengell The council had acknowledged the arguments of the ratepayers who had protested against the increase in their rates by paying only last year’s sum plus 10 per cent.

Like the Merivale ratepayers, the eastern resident voted at a public meeting last year to continue the protest in spite of sweeping changes to the rating system introduced by the council.

Mr Walker said his group would need another meeting to decide what action to recommend, but it was probable that the Merivale action would be followed.

He expected many people would pay their actual rates

outstanding anyway. The next instalment date for Merivale is February 15 and for Sumner and Mount Pleasant, March 15. Mr Walker said he agreed with the Merivale action of not paying the 10 per cent penalty for non-payment of rates.

The opportunity still existed for the council to make the “marvellous gesture” ’of waiving the penalty for the protesters.

The • council has maintained during the rates debate that it would not waver from its policy of imposing a 10 per cent penalty on unpaid rates. The policy and finance chairman, Cr Matthew Glubb, reiterated that policy, 10 days ago when an amnesty on the penalty was again suggested.* Labour’s Mayoral candidate, Cr Alex Clark, has commended the Merivale group for its decision. Relations between the Merivale community and the City Council had reached an all time low and one party had to take steps to resolve the situation, he said. The council must take suitable steps to ensure appropriate rates relief was .offered that did not imply charity, Cr Clark said. He hoped that the Merivale group would concentrate on issues related to the quality of life in the suburb because a great deal of research was necessary before council funds could “be given the priority they may deserve.”