[insert date in Master slide 1] 1 [insert title (in Master slide 1] Waikato Strategic Planners Network 27 November 2015 Svea Cunliffe-Steel, Sector Manager – Waikato/BOP/Taranaki/Wanganui Image here November 2015 Hamilton

What I’m going to cover … Consultation Documents Long term plans Annual Plans LTP Amendments 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Consultation Documents - the problem they were intended to address …Previously local authorities published draft LTPs for publication. These were long and complex documents that were difficult for most of the community to respond to … 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

The solution A document that marshalled the right debate: Elected member-led Short and succinct Good issue and option description (including context and implications) Consultation questions Often used the financial and infrastructure strategies to set the scene Excluded what was not on the table 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Where improvements are needed Too much background information and context, leading to a loss of focus Poorly described infrastructure and financial strategies and how they related to the significant issues Unclear issues and/on what was being consulted on Poorly written consultation questions “It’s all BAU” These characteristics (often in combination) lessened the effectiveness of the documents’ consultation value 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Measuring effectiveness On balance, a positive “yes” Often used in conjunction with increased use of social media or other less formal approaches … along with the use of tools such as web-based rate calculators 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

2018 – focus areas Better articulation of issues, options and implications What about non-key issues that are important to the community? Attention to significance and engagement policy Access to information supporting the CD Think a bit more about succinctness – an average of 32 pages Allow yourselves sufficient time 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

long-term plans Local authorities provide substantial services to their communities, therefore planning how to provide those services is important. Content required in 2014 changed with amendments to the LGA The sector has risen to the challenge. But, there are areas for improvement. 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Forecast annual renewals as a percentage of the forecast depreciation amount 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Total forecast year-on-year rates movements, and November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Forecast debt in the latest and previous LTPs 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Infrastructure strategies Introduced a richer and more considered perspective to each LTP. But local authorities missed opportunities to clearly set out how they will continue to provide services over next 30 years. 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Infrastructure strategies Infrastructure strategies with strong characteristics: took a longer outlook than the minimum 30-year requirement and included more than the required asset activities; were well integrated to the wider context of the Council and particularly to key financial information; and were clear about the effect of change on infrastructure needs. 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Infrastructure strategies Deficiencies included: Weak description of the effects of demographic change, and the actions planned to address those effects; A lack of analysis to support the sustainability and affordability of the projects set out in the infrastructure strategies; A lack of description of the likely long term effects on the financial sustainability of the local authority and the phasing of projects in the context of acknowledged uncertainties about asset condition information; and A lack of discussion or analysis on the long term view of economic activities. 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Annual Plans Must still prepare and adopt one Must still comply with the requirements in Schedule 10 Must contain the proposed budget and FIS for the year Other Part 2 of Schedule 10 requirements should be referenced to the LTP rather than duplicated Must identify any variations Do not need to consult if there are not significant or material differences from the LTP It is not audited 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

What is significant Refer to your Significance & Engagement Policy S5 LGA definition – significance means the degree of importance in terms of its impact on the district, those affected, or the capacity of the Council to perform its role. Significant means it has a high degree of significance 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

What is material Refer to s95A(5) A difference, variation or departure is material if it could, itself, or in conjunction with other differences, influence the decisions or assessments of those reading or responding to the consultation document. 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Differences from the LTP s95A(2) refers to differences. These include: -Variations/departures from financial statements or FIS -New spending proposals -Proposals to substantially delay or not proceed with significant projects 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

If consultation is required Must consult in accordance with the principles of s82 Must prepare a consultation document Should set out the differences between the proposed annual plan and what is in the LTP Must be concise and simple Must not contain a draft of the Annual Plan or any policy, or any information that is unnecessary or undesirable 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

LTP Amendments Must use the special consultative procedure. Requires a consultation document which must be prepared in accordance with s93B to 93G Should include description of proposed amendment, reasons, implications, and any alternatives The Consultation Document is audited If an LTP amendment is being done at the same time as the Annual Plan, the consultation process is combined, and the special consultative procedure must be used, and the entire document is audited. 27 November Waikato Strategic Planners Network

Thanks for your time Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any queries, or want some guidance. I’m happy to help November Waikato Strategic Planners Network