Our draft LTP is very much a back to basics plan, with a focus on addressing the backlog of our renewals, providing services vital to the community in a cost effective way and prioritising the projects which need to be completed. 

Council's vision is for a thriving, resilient and connected Grey District. This means our priorities under this plan are as follows. 

• Responsible spending - deliver services and projects which meet community expectations at the best value for money and address significant issues which shouldn't be ignored. 

• Focus on core services - provide good quality, value for money core services such as drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, refuse and recycling, local roads, footpaths and bridges. 

• Infrastructure Strategy - A key focus of this plan is our renewals. Direct increased funding to our renewals programme to put it back on track and set infrastructure up so we can ensure it remains operational into the future. 

• Financial Strategy - Practice good financial management for communities of today and tomorrow. Put aside enough money for future needs and have enough for today's current projects, services and importantly, the required asset renewals/replacement programmes. 

We don’t start from scratch when developing the Long Term Plan and what we will deliver to the community. We closely consider the work the Council had planned for the remaining seven years in the 2021-2031 Plan and assess whether those are still the right things to deliver for 2025-2034. 

There are two key issues which we are particularly interested in hearing your views. 

1. Reduced funding from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. 
   This impacts our subsidised footpath renewals programme, so to maintain the existing programme and level of service, Council is proposing to input $250,000 of rate funding. We are also planning on prioritising spend of $6.1 million to address significant bridge deferred renewals. 
                                                                 Reduction in Funds
    
2. The future of the Harbour Board and History House buildings
   These buildings are earthquake prone and no longer required for Council business. It is uneconomical for Council to spend more money on these buildings in terms of earthquake strengthening and meeting heritage obligations. Council is proposing to sell the buildings so others may take advantage of opportunities they may foresee. 
   
                                                        Harbour Board
   
                                                     History House

Other matters for consultation 

• Revenue and Financing Policy 

• Significance and Engagement Policy 

• Treasury Management Policies 

• Council Fountain - renewal or repairs have not been included in Council budgets