GISBORNE BOROUGH COUNCIL INCREASES ITS RATES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22665, 16 June 1948, Page 6

GISBORNE BOROUGH COUNCIL INCREASES ITS RATES

UP TO THE MAXIMUM

“It is with regret your committee has to approve of an increase in the general rate, the amount of which has now reached the maximum the council is permitted to levy, i.e,, the equivalent of the product of 2d in the £ upon the rateable capital value, ’ ’ stated the report of the committee of the whole council on the estimates for the coming year, presented at last night’s meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council.

The report continued that the increase was unavoidable and was due to the ever-rising cost of materials, increases in award rates of wages, and reinstatement of flood damage— £llOO. “This last-mentioned item could easily have run into several thousands of pounds,” states the report. "Some years ago the council embarked upon a policy of carrying out a certain amount of permanent road and footpath sealing work out of rates, but in view of the high costs of maintaining the existing amenities it is doubtful if this policy can be continued much longer. Bitumen Roads Deteriorating

"A number of existing bitumemsed roads are suffering from the lack of maintenance and during the next five to six years it is estimated the council will require to spend approximately £BOOO per annum to restore these roads to 3 first-class condition.” . The report continues: ‘The special rates are increased this year to provide interest and sinking fund on the waterworks additional loan raised last year. The rate the council is obliged to levy on behalf of the P.B. Catchment Board is also increased. ‘‘The total rates are on last year by approximately Id in the £. ‘‘The rising costs are also reflected in the running of the council’s omnibus service, which has reached a state where the revenue is insufficient to meet the expenditure. If the service is to be self-supporting, as it should be, and not become a charge against rates, then there is no alternative but to increase the fares. The existing fares have been in force since 1939 and since that date running costs have been substantially increased. . “Your committee also regrets, in view of the present state of the borough s nnancial position, that it has not been possible to accede to numerous requests bv ratepayers for the provision of further amenities and to organisations for financial assistance, concludes the r port. Receipts and Expenditure The schedule of receipts and expenditure for the past year and the current y$ Administration, estimated ' last year £4565, actual J ast £ - y 3 e s a g r £4492, estimated this 5 ear £0309, sundry, £6358, £6065, £5748; unauthorised and extraordinary, £845 £Bll £750; building and drain ale £3815, £3541. £4178; engineers office, £1930, £1992, £2054; horse teams, £B6l, £912. £990: house property, £215, £375 - reserves, £3883, £3817, £ol07; sanitation, £6067, £6443, £6734; streets mid bridges, £19,585, £18,978, £20,930; traffic, £944, £905. £1003; totals, £49,433, £48,442, £53,538. . , Receipts. Miscellaneous receipts, estimated last year, £16,181, actual the last vear, £18,599, estimated this year, £l6 819' general rate, £33.252, £33.692, £36’719; totals/ £49,433, £52,291, £53,538. Other rate amounts are. Special. 1947-48. £34,392; 1948-49, £35,342. Hospital, £9546, £9546. Catchment Board, £2072, £2442. _. , . A motion that 2| per cent discount be allowed on all rates levied for the 194849 year provided they were paid before the expiration of 30 days after the due date, was passed- _ ~ It was resolved that the council should levy a consolidated rate over the various areas of the borough in lieu of making separate general, hospital, separate and special rates, such consolidated rate not to produce a greater sum than would be required by making and levying the above rates separately.

TABLE OF RATES INDICATES RISE OVER LAST YEAR

In the tabulation given below the Gisborne Borough rates are set out tor the various defined portions of the area and compared with the rate struck last year. In each instance, figures shown after a decimal point represent sixtyfourths of a penny, and not one-hun-dGISBORNE, HAITI, WHATAUPOKO _ , 9 n 00/t ft Sr!

General Special Hospital Catchment . .. 1.26CL .. .. 7.18d .. .. 2. Id Board .28d 8.31d 2. Id ,33d Total Is 5. 6d Is 6. 6d TE HAPARA 8. 5d 7.36d 2. Id ,33d General Special Hospital Catchment . .. 7.23d .. .. 7.22d .. .. 2. Id Board .28d Total < Is 5.10d Is 6.lid 3UTER KAITI 8. 5d 6.54d 2. Id ,33d General Special Hospital Catchment .. 7.23d .. 6.40d .. 2, Id Board .28d Total Is 4.28d Is 5.29d 3IANGAPAPA 8. 5d 6.63d 2. Id ,33d General Special Hospital Catchment . .. 7.23d .. .. C.49d .. .. 2. Id Board .28d Total Is 4.37d Is 5.38d FOX STREET 8. 5d 7.28d 2. Id ,33d General Special Hospital Catchment , .. 7.23d .. 7.14d .. 2. Id Board .28d Total Is 5. 2d Is 6. 3d