Council’s 2021/2022 Annual Report adopted

Media release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Westland District Council’s 2021/2022 Annual Report was adopted at an Extraordinary Council meeting today, 15 December 2022. Council’s had an extended deadline for adoption until 31 December 2022 due to the shortage of staff available to complete audits of their documents.

“The delayed audit means that this is a very long and drawn out process for the staff, and we will be pleased to return to the normal 31 October deadline next year,” advises Group Manager: Corporate Services Lesley Crichton. “We have worked with a new audit company, EY, and new audit team this year and it has been an extremely thorough process. The public can have faith that we are presenting our report with transparency and clarity. The opinion from Audit is unqualified, however every Council has received an emphasis of matter regarding 3 waters as a matter of course.”

“It has been a busy year for Council and staff,” says Simon Bastion, Chief Executive. “As we’ve noted in the overview of our activities:

• 127 Resource consents were issued.
• 269 Building consents were issued.
• 76 people supported into employment through Mayors Taskforce for Jobs.
• We began an E-waste collection pilot and made glass recycling available at Hokitika Transfer Station.
• There were 47 Council and Committee meetings.
• Undertook engagement for our Annual Plan and three waters reform.
• Brought the new Arahura Water Treatment Plant on line.
• We responded to 84 Local Government and Official Information requests.
• Emergency Management has held training courses throughout the district.
• Administered and allocated funding for Creative Communities, Rural Sport Travel Fund, Township Development funding, Community public toilets and Christmas lights funding.
• Began development of the lower level extension at Ross Cemetery.
• Museum staff have dealt with 182 research enquiries, including:
  • Assisting Ngāi Tahu for a biography of Patahi.
  • Research materials and photographs for research pannesl for Heritage West Coast and Department of Conservation.
• Stage 1 of the Hokitika Pool upgrade completed.
• Upgrades to Kumara, Haast and Whataroa playgrounds.
• 72% of footpaths in the district rated between 1 (Excellent) and 3 (Good)

Council maintained the proportion of general rates to total income at 22% from 2020/2021. Our asset base increased to a value of $54m, with working capital of $9.8m – much of which is made up of government grants.

ENDS

Media enquiries to:

Emma Rae, Strategy and Communications Advisor

Emma.rae@westlanddc.govt.nz