Sustainable Economic Growth portfolio leader
I'm delighted with the way the finances are tracking. To be able to retire $1.2 million of debt is great to report. In terms of my portfolio we are moving extremely well on a number of different issues. We have been a little constrained by staff resources after the restructure but we have some exciting developments coming along such as our wood first policy that has attracted national attention and our District Plan should be fully operative mid-2016 and we are working on our digital strategy for Rotorua.
KAREN HUNT
Inner City Revitalisation portfolio leader
I think there's still a lack of understanding [in the community] of how the portfolios are working as they are quite new. But they are a great way to share our hopes and aspirations with the community and they have opened channels of communication with local groups we have never had.
The pre-consultation is the most robust and exciting I've enjoyed as a councillor. It's a great [annual] report because we heard the concerns of the community and over the last two years we have worked our way through some historic issues and now we understand where we are going and what to do from a financial point of view. It's one of the most accurate reports we have developed.
CHARLES STURT
Sports and Recreation portfolio leader
I'm absolutely happy with the report. It's the first full year we as a council have had under our new financial team and we have a much clearer picture of what's going on there. I'm much more confident that we are fully transparent, fully audited and well ahead of budget. We have made cuts to staff numbers saved millions on capital works projects and we are not borrowing to fund our operational costs. This is a big tick for Geoff [Williams] and his management team. In terms of my portfolio we have some great projects ready to go to the people with.
GLENYS SEARANCKE
Creative Communities portfolio leader
I really have no major concerns at all. I think we are keeping a close watch on the money with a big financial team that has done a better job than in the past. But I still feel there's a lot of shaking down to do after the restructure to get completely back on track. It's been a good year for council and the report is a good one for the district.
JANET WEPA
Sustainable Living portfolio leader
I'm really happy with how its going. The portfolios are very useful to help set goals to work toward. We haven't put together our strategy yet as it's a huge area of work, but I have a very helpful and supportive steering group. The work we have done with home insulation has been fantastic and everyone's working together. I believe we have greater transparency on council's finances, in particular what was driving our debt.
MEREPEKA RAUKAWA-TAIT
People portfolio leader
The report is a great snapshot of a very busy year. With portfolios allocated to councillors we can just get on with the job. A far better utilisation of time and effort. So far so good with our finances. We can do better and I know next year will see the culmination of more drilling down as we seek further savings. For me the Te Arawa Partnership and working through that major piece of work was very demanding. And developing the People Portfolio with councillors [Tania] Tapsell and [Mark] Gould has been positive and rewarding.
Annual Report
For the Rotorua Lakes Council 2014/15 financial year
$8.3 million reduction in operating expenditure
$1.2 million of debt repaid
The council will meet from 10.30am in the Council chamber
The meeting is open to the public
