|
News
Thursday,29 Oct 2009
 |
| Annual Report adopted with clear Audit opinion
The Hurunui District Council 2008/09 Annual Report was adopted today with a clear Audit opinion. It showcases some excellent results as well as reflecting the effects of the global economic recession, the impact wrought by two major floods in the district, increased compliance costs and the new recycling and waste model.
The Council’s financial performance shows the operating balance for the year ended 30 June 2009 was a $1.5 million deficit, compared with a forecast surplus of $2 million.
$902,000 of this deficit is directly attributable to the two serious flooding events that hit the district in July/August 2008.
The economic recession also had a major impact on building control and resource consent income levels, significantly affecting the Council’s fiscal position to the tune of $1.5 million. Changes in accounting methodology for development contributions and a provision to refund a portion of Queen Mary contributions resulted in $700,000 of further losses.
“I really want to emphasise that the 2008/09 financial results are not being taken lightly” said Mayor Garry Jackson, “and all of our efforts are now focussed recovering as much of the $1.5 million deficit as we can.”
This year’s Annual Report 2008/09 completes for the first time, all three years of reporting on the Community Outcomes of the Hurunui Long Term Community Plan 2006 to 2009.
Of the 56 measures for Community Outcomes, 91% indicated the community were on the way to achieving the outcomes that had been set. There was an 81% achievement rate for the 104 Council performance measures specified in the report.
97% of residents and ratepayers agree that overall they have a good quality of life. 89% of people reported that they feel a strong sense of community and 88% said that they have the opportunity to participate in leisure, arts and cultural activities. These all contribute to the Hurunui district being “A Desirable Place to Live, Work and Play”.
Mayor Jackson noted that despite the very difficult financial conditions of the previous year that the Council had largely achieved its planned programme of work. He also noted that despite the recession that the Hanmer Springs Pools and Spa performed well in 2008/09, and is going even better right now.
|
|
|
|