enquiries@winderandco.nz 03 972 2021 20 Scott Street, Blenheim
Wednesday 14 August 2024 Wenerei 14 Ākuhata 2024
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Next rates bill delayed MAIA HART
Marlborough’s next rates bill has been delayed as the finalised and “complex” long-term plan is audited. Part of that delay comes down to the council receiving its insurance premiums at the last minute, which added 0.64% to
this year’s rates rise, bringing the average to 13.6%. Normally, ratepayers would have received their next rates bill by now. Marlborough District Council chief financial officer Geoff Blake says the delay was due to a very complex long-term plan (LTP) process that had “many issues” to
be considered along the way. The Marlborough Sounds road recovery was one of the big issues, Blake says. “Finalising the LTP, including the required audit, is taking longer than expected due to all these complexities,” Geoff said. “The length of the delay is not yet known but the draft of the LTP is
complete and it is now with the auditors who are well progressed through their work.” He said Marlborough was not the only local authority that had found itself in this situation. The council was working towards an end-of-August target for the audited LTP to be ready for adoption, but this was not yet
confirmed. Once the LTP was adopted, the council’s rates team would prepare the rates notice which included the first quarter of rates to be paid. Ratepayers would have 14 days to pay the bill once it was received.
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Jazz joy Marlborough Boys’ and Girls’ College combined band ‘Funkasaurus Rex’ band plays at the final Gala Evening at ASB Theatre. Photo: Aimee Preston Story Page 2
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