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Better Local Government - Amalgamation
One of the focus areas of the Government's ‘Better Local Government' reform programme will be on an assessment of the value and impact of amalgamation of governing authorities.
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Better Local Government - Business Differentials
The recent debate over business rates highlighted the problems created by the imposition of business differentials. It is interesting to look back at the findings of the 2007 Local Government Rates Enquiry, more commonly called the ‘Shand Report'. They came up with the following conclusions:
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Business Mentors comes to the Chamber
On the first of July the Chamber took over the role of administration and coordination of the Business Mentors for Rotorua. I thought in my column this week I would clarify a couple of aspects of the business mentors program.
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The information that Council did not want you to know.
I was disappointed that Council voted to adopt the rating policy last Friday without mitigating the considerable increases to some ratepayers. These increases are not limited solely to business ratepayers, some residential and farming ratepayers are in for a big shock when they receive their rates notifications for payment on August 20th.
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Awards of Distinction
The second stage of the Westpac Business Excellence Awards is underway. Now the focus turns to the Awards of Distinction.
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Impact of Rates Increase
There is real concern amongst the business community that the new rates regime is going to seriously impact big business in Rotorua.
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Development Contributions
Is the wheel turning?
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Impact on CBD
I have been very vocal about the rates methodology that has been proposed in the long term plan. I am concerned about the impact on business. A copy of our submission and the letter of complaint to the Auditor General is available on our website home page. There are another couple of issues that will affect business, particularly those in the CBD, the focus of a major Council revitalisation project (a project that the Chamber 100% supports).
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Events of Interest
A variety of topics in this week's article.
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Westpac Business Excellence Awards 2012
The Westpac Business Awards Season is well underway. I have been very pleased with the number of ‘intent to enter' notifications that we have received and more importantly the spread of the entries across all six of the business award categories.
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The Shared Ownership Model
There has been a lot of media comment about the government proposal for the partial sell down of public assets. In Rotorua a couple of weeks ago, we also experience a small hikoi that finished up at MP Todd McClay's office to express their objection to the scheme. There is no doubt that prior to the election, Prime Minister John Key was very open about their intention to progress this concept should they be elected. It could be said that there was a mandate for the government to proceed with this proposal.
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The Berl Economic Report
There have been considerable media comments about BERL's Regional Rankings 2011. BERL, based in Wellington, is one of the leading providers of a broad range of economic research, analysis, advice and consultancy for business and public sector clients.
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CV and Differentials
In my article last week I referred to the move to capital value and the imposition of differentials on the various sectors of ratepayer groups as a tool to manage the allocation of the rates burden...
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LTP and CV Rates
My time is being consumed with deliberations over the Rotorua District Council Long Term Plan (The ‘LTP).
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CCOI Board
The process has begun to appoint the Chair and Directors for the recently announced Rotorua District Council controlled company for the implementation of Rotorua Sustainable Growth Economic Strategy.
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