At its meeting last night, Hutt City Council agreed rates levels for the year, which will see everyone who pays full residential rates pay less than they did last year.

For the average residential property (rateable value of $156,564) that means a saving of $11.00 per year.

Business rates have also decreased by an average of $46 (rateable value of $475,000).

Hutt City Mayor John Terris called it a happy and satisfying outcome and was pleased that people on fixed incomes in particular, would end up with more money in their pockets.

"Council has been able to deliver a residential rates decrease while continuing to fund significant infrastructure and social projects. We are the only council in the region to have been able to contain rates within current levels while maintaining service levels and I think all councillors can take some pride in that achievement," said Mayor Terris.

Wellington Regional Council rates revenue, which Hutt City Council must collect on the regional council's behalf, rose 2.34 percent to $10.504 million. However, the effect of this increase is small on overall rates levels.

The value of rateable properties in Hutt City rose slightly over the year which, because rates are capped, has the effect of spreading the total rates take over a greater property value.

"The fact that the total value of properties has increased slightly should not detract from the excellent and ongoing effort by Council in containing rates increases over the past three years," said Mayor Terris

ENDS

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