Dear Editor,
I have just been reading the agenda for the Horowhenua District Council Public meeting for Deliberations of submissions to the 2014/15 Draft Annual Plan to be held on Wednesday 21st May and under issue 2: Changes to revenue and Finance Policy, including the method for rating and the payment of rates for services not used, it states “council could choose to make an amendment to the current 2014-2024 Long Term Plan. To undertake an amendment to the Long Term Plan any changes would require full consultation, which would not be possible in if the 2014/2015 Annual Plan which has to be adopted by the statutory deadline of 30 June 2014.
My question to you all, did the council staff give you the opportunity or consult with you prior to the release for public consideration or putting the Draft Annual Plan to print? Consultation means Discussion with everybody, particularly the ratepayers. If only Council Staff and Councillors have discussed it then the public did not have the opportunity to have full consultation, so the Council still have time to have full consultation with the Public before 30 June 2014.
David Thomson
Chair (HDRRAI)
