|
Council's Rating Policy sets out in detail the types of rates, rate systems, differential rating categories and definitions, rating levels, and specific rating policies Council has adopted. The rating policy also includes the:
- Rates Remission Policies
- Rates Postponement Policies
- Remission and Postponement of Rates on Maori Freehold Land Policy.
Changes to the rating of some properties proposed to achieve a fairer system
Council is correcting anomalies in rating charges to some property categories to achieve a fairer and more consistent rating system.
Council has addressed several inconsistencies in the rating of a number of categories, including:
- Sports and cultural clubs
- Community groups
- Church groups
- Vacant commercial land
- Rural commercial land.
Changes to Council's rates rebate scheme to boost eligibility
Council has made two changes to its current rates rebate scheme to achieve greater eligibility for a rates rebate.
Council will:
- continue to provide a rates rebate of up to $300 to residential ratepayers who are experiencing extreme financial hardship
- change the income threshold level from $10,000 to $12,000
- increase the asset test level from $8000 to $15,000.
The impetus behind Council's rates rebate scheme review is the government's announcement that changes will be made to the national Rates Rebate Scheme thresholds.
The changes to the Government Rates Rebate Scheme involve:
- increasing the maximum rates rebate from $200 to $500
- increasing the income abatement threshold from $7400 to $20,000
- increasing the additional allowable income for each dependant from $156 to $500.
The changes to the Government Rates Rebate Scheme will come into effect on 1 July 2006 for the 2006/07 rating year.
Applicants for a rates rebate can qualify under both the government scheme and/or Council's scheme according to their circumstances. The Government Rates Rebate Scheme is the primary source of rebate while Council's scheme should be considered a supplementary rebate scheme.
A full copy of this policy is contained in Volume II of Council's 2006-16 Long-Term Plan.
| 
