Mayor And Councillors Give Residential Ratepayers A Credit
This decision made at a Council meeting today (22 July) was required following the discovery of an incorrect assumption about the average land value used in the rating model, which would have seen these rates increase to 12.8 per cent on average versus publicly shared average residential rate of 9.9 per cent. Legal advice indicates the rates are legally valid.
Another error was also fixed today, with a minute corrected to include the correct wording relating to the restricted water flow charge.
These changes follow urgent independent review called for by Mayor Neil Holdom combined with an internal review, following another administrative error relating to GST found in May.
NPDC Chief Executive Gareth Green apologises for the errors.
'On behalf of the NPDC organisation, I wish to offer my sincere apologies to the Mayor and Councillors, and our entire community, for the failing of our systems and processes that led to these errors.'
The overall rates increase for 2025/2026 is 9.1 per cent.
What happens now?
Rates bills for the first of four quarterly instalments are expected to be sent out at the end of this month as normal.
The amount owed showing on the bill will reflect the resolution in adopting the Annual Plan, but an 'adjustment' or credit will be applied to each bill to reflect the decision made by the Council today (22 July).
The adjustment will be spread across the year.
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