Rates Remission Policy Consultation: Have Your Say Central Hawke’s Bay

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council is calling for feedback on a new policy designed to provide rates relief to those financially impacted by COVID-19.
 
This comes following the adoption of two additional rates postponement policies, to assist eligible residential, rural and commercial property owners in their recovery from COVID-19 and the declared drought.
 
“As part of our Economic Recovery Action Plan, Councillors have been very clear that we wanted to see rates support mechanisms that targeted those most affected by the pandemic and drought disruption. Homeowners who have lost their income, commercial and residential property owners whose tenants may be struggling to pay their lease, and farming businesses who have major cashflow disruptions due to drought.  The three new policies give us a range of options,” says Councillor Brent Muggeridge, Chair of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee.
 
“The Council is exploring every avenue with regards to how it can soften the blow through the application of its rates payment policies, but in doing so we must ensure service levels aren’t compromised. We understand it’s a very tough time for many and that each situation is unique and we are committed to a proactive and lenient approach with regards to rate payment policies. We just need ratepayers to get in touch with Council Officers, so we can assess their individual needs and support them through a plan,” says Mayor Walker.
 
The three new policies are:

• Remission of Rates Policy
• Rates Postponement Natural Calamites Policy
• Rates Postponement for Financial Hardship Policy

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council is currently calling for feedback on the Remission of Rates Policy, with submissions closing midnight on Tuesday 14 July.

Submissions can be made in writing by picking up a form from the Council office on Ruataniwha Street, the Waipawa Library, or the Waipukurau Pop-up Service Centre. 
 
“Council encourages everyone to have their say on the Remission of Rates Policy. This is your opportunity to tell us what you think, and if this policy is fit for purpose for you and your community,” says Mayor Walker.
 
Information on each of the three policies:
 
Remission of Rates Policy – Consultation in progress
This policy proposes to provide rating relief to residential and lifestyle property owners where, due to COVID-19, the full payment of rates would otherwise cause financial hardship.
 
If adopted, a one-off $200 discount would be available to the first 1,000 eligible applicants, who must be able to supply evidence of financial hardship caused by COVID-19 specifically. This could include loss of employment, a salary or wage reduction, qualification for a mortgage holiday or a new or changed WINZ entitlement.
 
The primary use of the property in question must be residential or lifestyle and the ratepayer making the application must be the registered owner and occupier of the property during the period for which rates relief is sought.  
 
Submissions will be presented to Council for consideration at the next ordinary meeting of Council scheduled for Thursday 30 July 2020.
 
Commercial property owners, residential and commercial landlords, and rural ratepayers are not eligible for this remission however are encouraged to apply for relief under the Rates Postponement Natural Calamities Policy.
 

Rates Postponement Natural Calamities Policy
This policy is designed to provide rating relief to commercial and rural property owners who need additional time to pay their rates due to financial hardship caused by COVID-19 or the drought.
 
Applicants who run a business or farm from the property rated for must be able to demonstrate that they have been financially impacted by either event, and now face financial hardship. Relief must have been sought from their bankers in the first instance.
 
Successful applicants will be able to delay the payment of their property’s the majority of their rates subject to meeting the terms and conditions set out in the policy and entering into a repayment plan.
 
To read the Rates Postponement Natural Calamities Policy see: https://www.chbdc.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Rates-Postponement-Natural-Calamities-Policy.pdf
 
 
Rates Postponement for Financial Hardship Policy
To provide rating relief to property owners who need additional time to pay their rates due to their financial circumstances.
 
Applicants must have sought other means of financial assistance through their banker or financial advisor, and be able to provide evidence of having received budget advice from an approved budget advisory service, before seeking to utilise the Rates Postponement for Financial Hardship Policy.
 
Successful applicants will be able to delay the payment of their property’s the majority of their rates subject to meeting the terms and conditions set out in the policy and entering into a repayment plan.
 
To read the Rates Postponement for Financial Hardship Policy see: https://www.chbdc.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Rates-Postponement-Financial-Hardship.pdf

17 January 2022

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