Keeping the kids entertained, both on and off the track, as well as making sure that they’re happy and safe is a big part of the Mayoral Mile on Saturday, March 17.

The Toddlers 20, a race for the under-fives, is a feature of the early evening, and the bigger kids will have a selection of races throughout the day including 'Fastest Kid on the Block' plus the school relays.

There will be a major drawcard for the young in the form of 'Mission Impossible', which is an obstacle course and giant slide that looks like a massive fairground attraction. It may prove irresistible to the not-so-young as well.

The Cancer Society will be providing outdoor essentials in the form of sunblock. The Cancer Society's distinctive umbrellas will be a conspicuous feature of Cooks Gardens.

And, of course, there will be heaps of prizes for the kids to win in the races as well as spot prizes throughout the whole event. Add to that the chance of seeing up close some national and international athletes past and present, plus a host of celebrities, and any kid's day will be complete.

The celebrity line-up this year consists of some who are appearing on the new season of Dancing with the Stars. It includes dancers Hayley Holt and Lauren de Boeck, plus Brendon Pongia, host of TVNZ's Good Morning, and another newcomer to the Dancing with the Stars cast list, Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws. Norm Hewitt, well known for both his rugby career and his winning stint on the dance floor in the first season of the TV show, will also add his considerable presence to this premier sporting and fun event.

Kids, bring the whole family to the Mayoral Mile, Saturday, March 17, at Cooks Gardens.

Mayor Michael Laws says that not only are Wanganui's rate increases the lowest in New Zealand over three years, "but it actually means that many people, particularly when you factor in the rates rebate scheme, will be paying less rates than they did three years ago".

Average rates increase of 1.8%

The council has approved a 1.8% average residential rate increase in its Draft Annual Plan 2007/08.This follows a nil rates increase in 2005/06 and an average 3% increase in 2006/07, a total of 4.8% over three years.

"Some parts of the city, because of changes to capital rating and Quotable Values, irrespective of the rates rebate scheme are still paying less rates now than under the last council," Mayor Laws said.

The council has also approved a separate levy to pay for the costs of the July 2006 storm damage. The targeted rate will be levied for the next three years. The cost per year will be farming ratepayers $52.00, commercial $47.00 and residential $47.00.

In anticipation of a positive result from Referendum '07, the Draft Annual Plan includes the costs of water softening and a soft water levy of approximately $73.00 for properties connected to the city water supply.

"Although we have included the soft water levy, this is outweighed by an average household saving of $230 per year resulting from lower power use, less use of detergents and other savings from softer water."

"At the conclusion of the 2007/08 financial year, every household will be better off in real dollar terms because of low percentage rate increases but also because of average $230 per year household savings from soft water."

The Davis Central City Library and Alexander Heritage Library will both be closed on Wednesday, March 14, for stocktaking.

Every four to five years stocktaking is necessary for collection maintenance. It enables staff to find books that need to be fixed, cleaned or replaced, find those in the wrong location and also to discover what's missing.

Around 90,000 items will need to be scanned in the Davis Library alone.

The scale of the operation means that the library will have to close for the day, but the Mobile Branch Library (the Library bus) will be parked out front and open for business. If you haven’t seen inside this purpose built mobile library before, now's your chance.

Resignation of Cr Sue Reynolds

At its meeting on 26 February 2007, the Wanganui District Council accepted with regret the resignation of Cr Sue Reynolds (formerly Pepperell) which creates an extraordinary vacancy on the Council.

In accordance with section 117(3)b of the Local Electoral Act 2001, the Council resolved that the vacancy is not to be filled and to carry on with the current elected representatives until the local government triennial election in October 2007.

Remember that you can apply for a rates rebate at any time during the 2006/07 rating year. The income threshold is $20,000. A rebate of up to $500 can be claimed.

Before we can process your application, we need to see:

• Your Community Services Card.
• Evidence of all income (before tax) for last tax year (this includes income from interest, pensions etc).
• Your Wanganui District Council rates notice for 2006/07 and your Horizons Regional Council rates notice for 2006/07.

Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by:

• The ratepayer’s income for the tax year preceding the start of the rating year and
• The amount of rates and
• The number of dependents.

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Finance and Administration – Thursday, March 8
- Wanganui District Performing Arts Trust; Finance Team action plan; Cricket Wanganui; IT report; Independent Inquiry into Local Government Rates – Council submission; Wanganui Savage Club/Repertory Theatre; Wanganui District Council Chambers 'Wanganui Story in Stained Glass Windows' Project; Local authority triennial elections 2007; Financial commitments; Schedule of documents sealed. Confidential item: Debtor write-off.

Infrastructure – Monday, March 12
- CBD parking – Bridge block and surrounding areas; Wastewater project; Trade Waste Bylaw; Infrastructure major projects – update; Water and Sanitary Services Assessment Report – update; Land Transport New Zealand financial assistance rates; Taupo Quay – Moutoa Quay; New subdivision street names; Dublin Street Bridge.

Strategy – Tuesday, March 13 (Council Chamber)
- BERL report presentation; Bi-monthly statistics report; Dog Control Policy; Moutoa Quay usage for events; Aranui Bluff – Whangaehu Valley Road; Wanganui Inc report. Confidential item: Wanganui Inc structure.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Thursday, March 15 (Mangamahu Hall, 1.30pm)
- The Mangamahu community is invited to attend this meeting to participate in discussions regarding the Aranui Bluff and roading issues.

Council (Council Chamber) – Monday, March 26

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at 4.00pm in Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.