Horizons Regional Council

Ensure appropriate and timely review, assessment, setting and collection of rates, in accordance with the Local Government Rating Act 2002.

Promote active investigation into potential new sources of funding, as alternatives or supplementary to rating mechanisms.

Promote regular review and evaluation of service efficiency and effectiveness, with a view to providing value for money to ratepayers.

Publish council spending – how much, on what and when – to ensure transparency and build public trust in decision-making.

Remove parking fees in Palmy to boost local business, ease access to the city and make it more welcoming for residents and visitors.

Shift rates increases to every three years instead of annually, giving residents more stability and time to plan financially.

Ensure rates are kept under control while balancing the needs of the community and environment.

Manage council's investments and borrowing to achieve the best possible outcome, whilst ensuring each generation is not burdened unfairly.

Review all council investments and evaluate how to get better returns.

Review funding policies at the next long-term plan to ensure rating methods are linked to ability to pay wherever possible.

Assess whether staffing levels are fit for purpose, questioning the relevance of approximately 170 new staff taken on during COVID.

Avoid building a new office block with ratepayers' money.

Be fiscally responsible as recent rate increases of 24% and 30% for businesses over the last two years are unsustainable.