Short delay to public release of long-term plan consultation document

Delays in processing audit sign-off of Rotorua Lakes Council’s 2015-2025 long-term plan consultation document have meant a short delay in the document’s public release.

The document is now expected to be released for a month long period of public consultation at the beginning of May.

At a council meeting on 16 April, a draft long-term plan consultation document was approved for public release, subject to sign-off by government auditors. However audit approval is not now expected until late this week following auditors’ request for a number of minor amendments to be made to the document.

The change in timing will allow the council to formally adopt the revised consultation document at next week’s reconvened council meeting (29 April), immediately following the council’s Operations and Monitoring Committee meeting.

The adjusted timeframe will mean re-setting the dates for public consultation. However the council still intends to have its final 2015-2025 long-term plan fully completed and adopted by the end of June.

The long-term plan consultation document currently being finalised for public release represents a departure from previous processes for preparing long-term plans. In the past councils would prepare a complete draft long-term plan and release it for public consultation.

However under new legislation councils are now required to first prepare a consultation document covering key issues and options for the next ten year period, and to provide access to supporting information on all the issues identified.

After public consultation has been undertaken, councils then prepare their long-term plans, taking community views into account.

The dates for release of Rotorua Lakes Council’s public consultation document for its 2015-2025 long-term plan, and the period and process for making public submissions, are to be advertised following the council’s adoption of the revised document at its meeting on 29 April.

ENDS

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