“What will Wanganui pay?" - Horizons still not answering the question - 22/07/2009

Mayor Michael Laws has still not got a satisfactory answer to the question of what Horizons Regional Council’s overall average rates increase will be for Wanganui ratepayers.

“Despite repeated attempts over the past few weeks to establish the percentage rise our ratepayers can expect for 2009-10, Horizons have been consistently evasive and vague in addressing this issue.

“The Horizons website does not give a specific figure and neither is the rates increase shown clearly in their recently approved 10-year plan.

“The only figure I have been able to find is from a recent press article giving an overall average rates increase of 6% for the whole region - this leaves us no clearer what we in Wanganui can expect to pay.

“Local authorities should be transparent and open in their dealings – what have Horizons got to hide from the Wanganui people? They have an obligation to their ratepayers to be up front and open about what they expect us to pay.

“I intend to lodge a formal complaint with the Auditor General over the lack of transparency and openness in Horizons non-communication of rate increases to Wanganui residents.”

ENDS