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Meeting: |
Regional Council |
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Meeting Date: |
26 October 2023 |
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Item under Separate Cover
Agenda Item 9.2: Adoption of the Annual Report and Annual Report Summary for the year ended 30 June 2023
As noted on the Regional Council Agenda for the meeting on Thursday 26 October 2023, the following item is included under separate cover:
Decisions Required
Agenda Item 9.2 Adoption of the Annual Report and Annual Report Summary for the year ended 30 June 2023 2
Attachment 1 - 2022/23 Bay of Plenty Regional Council Annual Report 4
Attachment 2 - 2022/23 Bay of Plenty Regional Council Summary Annual Report 4
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Report To: |
Regional Council |
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Meeting Date: |
26 October 2023 |
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Report Writer: |
Kumaren Perumal, Chief Financial Officer; AJ Prinsloo, Finance Manager; Nolene Naude, Financial Accounting Team Lead and Olive McVicker, Corporate Performance Team Lead |
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Report Authoriser: |
Evaleigh Rautjoki-Williams, Digital Manager (Chief Digital Officer) |
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Purpose: |
Adoption of the Annual Report and Annual Report Summary for the year ended 30 June 2023 |
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Adoption of the Annual Report and Annual Report Summary for the year ended 30 June 2023
Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to present the Annual Report and the Summary Annual Report (the Annual Reports) for the year ended 30 June 2023 to the Council for adoption. The Annual Reports contain the financial and non-financial performance results of the Council (as the parent of the reporting entity) and consolidated financial statements for the Council Group which includes the wholly owned subsidiaries, Quayside Holdings Limited (Quayside) and Toi Moana Trust. Council’s Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 includes 45 performance measures with targets for each financial year. We achieved 33 (73%) of the targets that were set for the year ended 30 June 2023. The main reasons for the financial and non-financial variations are outlined in sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this report. Council delivered its work programme through operating expenditure of $177.2 million (2022: $158.4 million) compared to a budget of $175.1 million, this is $2.1 million higher than budget. Total revenue of $172.4 million (2022: $148.4 million) compared to a budget of $163.8 million, which is $8.6 million higher than budget. As a result, Council’s operating deficit for year two (2022/23) of the Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 is $4.4 million which is $6.8 million lower than the budgeted deficit of $11.2 million. Council delivered a capital works programme with expenditure of $15.7 million (2022: $18.5 million) compared to a budget of $34.4 million, which is $18.7 million lower than budget. Reasons for the difference include wet weather events during the year, ongoing consultation required with key stakeholders and the community on preferred options for river scheme projects, and general supply issues. Leon Pieterse, Audit NZ Director and Warren Goslett, Audit NZ Manager will attend the Council Meeting to present the audit opinion. |
That the Regional Council:
1 Receives the report, Adoption of the Annual Report and Annual Report Summary for the year ended 30 June 2023.
2 Receives the audit report and audit opinion from Audit New Zealand.
3 Adopts the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2023.
4 Adopts the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Annual Report Summary for the year ended 30 June 2023.
5 Authorises the Chief Executive to make minor numerical, editorial or presentation amendments prior to the final publication.
6 Approves the capital expenditure budget carry forward of $25.8 million from 2022/23 to 2023/24.
7 Notes total remissions of $0.8 million were given during 2022/23 which equates to 0.96% of the general and targeted rate revenue.
1. Introduction
This report presents Council’s actual financial and non-financial performance disclosed in the Annual Reports against the planned delivery objectives for year two of the Long-Term Plan 2021-2031.
The global financial environment provided ongoing challenges to the operating environment. Council continues to keep a close watch on national and global developments. Adverse weather events have continued impacting the region during the year. Despite the challenges, Council was able to continue making progress across all areas of work and despite capital expenditure delays, service delivery levels were not adversely affected.
The Annual Reports are attached as supporting documents to this report for Council consideration and adoption.
Audit New Zealand’s appointed auditor, Leon Pieterse, and Audit Manager Warren Goslett will attend the meeting to discuss the overall audit process.
1.1 Legislative Framework
The Annual Report 2022/23 is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 and the Local Government (Financial Reporting and Prudence) Regulations 2014.
1.2 Alignment with Strategic Framework
The Annual Report presents the financial and non-financial performance of Council as set out in its Long-Term Plan 2021-2031. As a result, it supports the delivery of all four Community Outcomes and the Way We Work.
1.2.1 Community Well-beings Assessment
Dominant Well-Beings Affected |
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þ Environmental
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þ Cultural
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þ Social
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þ Economic
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The Annual Report presents the financial and non-financial performance of Council and as such promotes all four aspects of community well-being.
2. Annual Report 2022/23
2.1 Non-Financial Performance Summary 2022/23
In 2022/23, Council achieved 33 (73%) out of 45 performance measures monitored and 12 measures (27%) were not achieved. There was one measure where a two-yearly survey is completed and the survey was not due in the 2022/23 year. This has been excluded from the overall result calculation.
This result is consistent with 2021/22, where Council reported on 44 KPIs and achieved 32 (73%) of the targets and did not achieve 12 (27%).
2.1.1 Performance Measures not achieved
Further detail on the measures where the target has not been met are provided in the tables below.
A Healthy Environment
Biosecurity: Proportion of wallaby satellite populations (outside progressive containment area) where wallabies are no longer detected.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
57% |
80% |
71% |
This measure tracks progress in eliminating the seven satellite populations known to be present outside the containment area as of 1 July 2021. At the end of June 2023 one population is considered eradicated and four more ‘functionally eradicated’ i.e. monitoring has not detected wallabies this year or only a single animal is known to be present. Of the remaining two populations, one has control work in progress with an estimated 70% of the population removed over the last year. The final population has also had initial control completed but multiple survivors have been detected and additional work is scheduled for the 2023/24 year.
Regional Parks: The number of visitors to regional parks.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
116,155 |
124,068 |
99,288 |
The number of visitors to regional parks in 2023 is 14% less than the 2022 result. The principal reason for the lower visitor numbers across both regional parks is likely due to the high frequency of rainfall and strong northerly quarter winds, underpinned by the La Nina climate driver. Both regional parks are exposed hillsides facing north and are not as pleasant under these weather conditions.
It is anticipated that the return to El Nino conditions, combined with the opening of the Pāpāmoa Hills Upgrade Project facilities in October 2023, will lead to visitor numbers rebounding in 2023/24.
Freshwater for Life
Coastal Catchments & Rotorua Lakes: The percentage of monitored river and stream sites that meet the swimmability requirements under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM).
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
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71% |
75% |
71% |
This measure was originally defined in 2018 when there was no specification for how a site should be graded if one of the four numeric attributes failed to align (a common problem). The 2022 update of the National Policy Statement – Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) resolved this problem by clarifying that the worst of the four attributes should be used to define the grade.
The Annual Report provides results for both the original method (an average of the four attributes), and the method defined in the 2022 NPS-FM update (worst-case attribute). Using the original (average) method, 17 of 24 sites (70.8%) were deemed swimmable over the 2022/23 bathing season. However, applying the updated (worst-case) methodology, 9 of 24 sites (37.5%) were deemed swimmable.
In addition, the National Policy Statement (NPS) requires data to be collected weekly during the summer swimming months (October – April). There are 31 riverine swimming sites throughout the region, however, this KPI uses a subset of 24 to remain consistent with the original 2018 analysis. A minimum of 60 weekly bathing samples are required to be collected from each of the specified sites.
Regulatory Compliance: The percentage of scheduled compliance monitoring assessments conducted as per Council’s annual compliance monitoring programme.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
92% |
91% |
89% |
There were 3,962 (3,719 in 2022) compliance assessments undertaken for consents or permitted activities, which is a 6.5% increase from the previous year. As a result, the target of 4,039 assessments which represented 91% was not achieved.
Safe and Resilient Communities
Emergency Management: Percentage of residents that have a good understanding of what the effects would be if a disaster struck their area.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
Not measured |
80% |
79% |
The Bay of Plenty disaster preparedness survey results showed that a high proportion (79%) of survey respondents understood the types of disasters that could affect the Bay of Plenty and the effects of those disasters.
Rivers and Drainage: Percentage of renewals completed in accordance with the Rivers and Drainage Asset Management Plan.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
75% |
75% |
32% |
The budget for the year 2022/23 consisted of several multi-year projects. However, certain key projects encountered delays for various reasons, leading to either missed construction windows or delays to construction commencement for physical works. Challenges were faced with working in with our project partners timeframes, consultant delivery, extended resource consent processes, engaging with landowners and securing contractors during this period.
A Vibrant Region
Public Transport: Customer satisfaction of bus users.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
Not measured |
80% |
68% |
Customer satisfaction is down from the 80% achieved in 2020. The main reasons for the decline in satisfaction were related to service punctuality and reliability in Tauranga, which was impacted by the reduced timetable for much of the 2022/23 year. Plans are in place to address these issues and another survey will be completed later in 2023.
Community Engagement: Return on investment ($ Council funds committed: $ of volunteer labour) on EEF projects based on volunteer labour.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
1:1.61 |
>1:1.61 |
1:0.85 |
Seven projects which received $135,799 in council funding were completed during the year. Based on the living wage ($23.65 per hour), these volunteer hours equate to $115,128 in value. When added to the EEF grants, over $250,927 in value was delivered to the community.
Governance: Percentage of draft Council and Committee meeting minutes that are published on our website within 10 working days after the meeting.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
93% |
95% |
90% |
There were 63 relevant meetings, of which there were six instances where minutes were published outside of this timeframe. These instances were due to increased workloads during election and post-election periods.
Governance: Percentage of reports on Council agendas that are public excluded.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
10.4% |
<10.4%% |
11% |
There was a total of 444 Council reports included in Council meeting agendas, of this 47 (11%) Council reports were publicly excluded. This measure is dependent on the nature of matters before Council. In all cases where an item is publicly excluded, valid reasons for the exclusion are made publicly available.
Corporate Support: Change in total Council emissions compared to prior year.
2021/22 RESULT |
2022/23 TARGET |
2022/23 RESULT |
10.5% increase |
5% reduction from prior year |
52% increase from prior year |
The internal greenhouse gases emission accounting work identified the total Council emissions for the year had increased by 52% from the previous year. This is primarily due to the increased operation of flood pumps as a result of significant wet weather events that occurred during the year.
2.2 Financial Performance Summary 2022/23
Council delivered its work programme through operating expenditure of $177.2 million (2022: $158.4 million) compared to a budget of $175.1 million, which is $2.1 million higher than budget. Total revenue of $172.4 million (2022: $148.4 million) compared to a budget of $163.8 million, this is $8.6 million higher than budget. As a result, Council’s operating deficit for 2022/23 is $4.4 million, which is $6.8 million smaller than the budgeted deficit of $11.2 million.
Council delivered a capital works programme with expenditure of $15.7 million (2022: $18.5 million) compared to a budget of $34.4 million, which is $18.7 million lower than budget. Reasons for this include wet weather events during the year, ongoing consultation required with key stakeholders and the community on preferred options for river scheme projects, and general supply issues.
The following table provides a summary of financial results for the year ended 30 June 2023 as per the Annual Report 2022/23.
Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expense |
Annual Plan |
Annual Report (Council) |
Variance |
Annual Report (Group) |
2022/23 |
2022/23 |
2022/23 |
2022/23 |
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$000 |
$000 |
$000 |
$000 |
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Operating Revenue |
160,228 |
166,503 |
6,275 |
574,776 |
Capital Revenue |
3,615 |
5,928 |
2,313 |
5,928 |
Operating expenditure |
175,060 |
177,238 |
2,178 |
467,474 |
Other revenue |
- |
(4) |
(4) |
4,141 |
Taxation |
- |
459 |
459 |
(40,374) |
Total operating surplus / (deficit) after taxation |
(11,218) |
(4,352) |
6,866 |
76,997 |
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Capital expenditure |
34,371 |
15,704 |
(18,667) |
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2.2.1 Operating Revenue
Operating revenue for the year ended 30 June 2023 was $166.5 million, this is $6.3 million higher than budget of $160.3 million. The key reasons for the variances are identified as follows:
Rates revenue: Rates revenue is $1.4 million higher than planned due to higher rates penalty income received, partly offset by higher remissions than budgeted.
Subsidies and grants: Subsidy and grant revenue of $25 million compared to a budget of $24.4 million due to an increase in Passenger Transport subsidies received from Waka Kotahi for half price fares, increased school services, and additional funding to cover other cost increases.
This increase has been offset by a reduction in revenue resulting from revenue for biosecurity projects (wallaby and wilding pine) budgeted as subsidy revenue but recognised as trading and other revenue.
Interest revenue: Corporate interest revenue of $6.3 million is lower than budget of $6.8 million. This is due to lower-than-expected loans to Quayside Holdings Limited in relation to the Rangiuru Business Park.
Trading and other revenue: Trading and other revenue was $20.2 million, which is $4.7 million higher than the budget of $15.5 million, and $3.6 million higher than last year due to:
· Funding for biosecurity - Wallaby and wilding pine projects were budgeted for in subsidies and grants but actual revenue of $2.1 million was recognised in trading and other revenue.
Lower than budgeted section 36 fees (Resource Management Act) and charges for the year offset the increase in revenue.
Reversal of impairment losses on financial assets: The value of Council’s investment in Toi Moana Trust as at 30 June 2023 increased in fair value compared to 30 June 2022. This resulted in an unbudgeted impairment reversal of $1.9 million.
2.2.2 Operating Expenditure
Employee benefit expenses: Employee benefit expenses of $55 million $0.9 million higher than budget due to increased staff time for the Rivers and Drainage and Emergency Management teams to respond to several weather events during the year.
Trading and other expenses: Trading and other expenses are $107.9 million, which is $4.1 million higher than budget. This is largely attributable to Passenger Transport, which is $3 million higher than budget. The variances are a result of indexation uplift, driver wage increases, and significant increase in demand for school bus services, which was unplanned and not budgeted for.
There has also been higher than budgeted expenditure in Rivers and Drainage for increased contract work, assessments, and inspections in response to recent adverse weather events and in Maritime for a vessel removal from the Tauranga Harbour.
Depreciation and amortisation: Depreciation and amortisation expenditure of $8.3 million is $0.5 million lower than budget due to lower than budgeted capital expenditure during the year.
Finance costs: Finance costs of $5.8 million is $2.6 million lower than the budget of $8.4 million. There has been less borrowing than planned due to the timing of drawdown requirements from Quayside Holdings Limited. This is partly offset by increased finance costs attributable to higher than planned interest rates.
2.2.3 Capital Revenue
Capital revenue was $5.9 million, which is $2.3 million higher than budget of $3.6 million. The key reasons for the variances are identified below:
· Capital insurance recoveries of $3.1 million received as the final insurance payment for the 2017 flood event.
· Capital grants were lower than budget by $1.2 million, mainly due to delays on the Engineering Solutions (wetland project) in Rotorua and therefore no grants have been received in 2022/23.
2.2.4 Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure for the year ended 30 June 2023 was $15.7 million, this is $18.7 million lower than budget and $2.8 million lower than last year (2022: $18.5 million).
$6.2 million was invested in flood protection to help keep people and properties safe. This included $3.8 million for the Rangitāiki-Tarawera River Scheme. Projects still to be completed like Rangitāiki Floodwalls, Rangitāiki Floodway and Rangitāiki River Stopbank Upgrade are proposed to be carried forward to 2023/24 for completion.
$2.2 million was invested in our Regional Parks with the Pāpāmoa Regional Hills Project expected to be completed in late 2023.
Plant and Vehicle replacement amount to $1.8 million, which is $2.3 million lower than budget due to a boat and an emergency management trailer proposed to be 2023/24 carry forwards.
$3.7 million was invested as part of the Te Wahapu o Waihī wetlands project. Council purchased land for wetland use, with the intention for most of it to be on-sold to an adjacent property owner.
2.2.5 Treasury
Investments totalled $239.1 million (cash, cash equivalents and other financial assets), which includes approximately $64.1 million total on-lend to Quayside and $70 million invested in Toi Moana. The investment in Toi Moana had a fair value of $71.6 million as at 30 June 2023. These funds are primarily attributed to general and restricted reserves, as well as unspent funds borrowed from the LGFA to pre-fund capital expenditure in advance.
During 2022/23, total borrowings increased by $24.2 million to $216.7 million as at 30 June 2023. The facilities are provided by the Local Government Funding Agency Limited for a specific purpose, including $152 million for capital investment across multiple years of the Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 and approximately $64.1 million for on-lending to Quayside Holdings Limited, which delivers benefits of lower borrowing costs to the Council Group. The average cost of debt at 30 June 2023 was 3.42%.
Council’s net debt is $10.5 million, which means there are high levels of liquid assets relative to debt levels. Consequently, the net debt to revenue ratio is 6%.
Council takes a prudent approach to managing debt by keeping the net debt-to-revenue ratio significantly within the prudential limit of 295%.
Council has maintained strong liquidity cover and significant borrowing capacity to support the capital investment and liquidity needs. This approach also offsets risks associated with high debt levels, including Council’s exposure to Quayside’s perpetual preference shares and expansion plans. This is reflected in the AA credit rating, which is one of the highest in the local government sector.
2.2.6 Council Group
The Annual Report 2022/23 contains both Council and Group results. Group results include Council’s wholly owned subsidiary, Quayside and Toi Moana Trust. Quayside’s Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2023 was approved by its board of directors on 14 September 2023 and received by Council on 18 September 2023, along with the annual report for the Toi Moana Trust and several Quayside subsidiaries.
Quayside holds and manages a majority shareholding in the Port of Tauranga Limited, which is valued at $2.8 billion. Quayside acts as the investment arm to build intergenerational prosperity for the region.
The Quayside Group achieved a net profit after tax of $120.3 million, which is consolidated into the Council Group net profit after tax of $77 million, of which $23.9 million is attributed to equity holders / Council.
This year’s dividend from Quayside to Bay of Plenty Regional Council of $42.5 million is the largest to date. The Toi Moana Trust, which is an investment fund managed by Quayside, also paid a dividend to Council of $3.5 million in 2022/23 in line with its Statement of Intent.
The approved Annual Report 2022/23 for Quayside and Council’s subsidiaries can be found on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website.
3. Other Matters
3.1 Capital Expenditure and Capital Revenue Budget 2022/23 Carry Forward Requests
Capital expenditure was underspent by $18.9 million in the 2022/23 year against year two in the Long-Term Plan 2021-2031.
The under-spends were primarily due to delays outside the control of Council, these include unprecedented weather events, community consultations, and legal challenges.
The table below shows unspent capital expenditure ($25.8 million) that is recommended that Council approve to be carried forward from financial years 2022/23 to 2023/24. Staff are currently refining the capital expenditure year-end forecast, which includes a deliverability review for the 2023/24 financial year.
3.2 Rates Remissions
Total remissions of $0.8 million were given during 2022/23, which equates to 0.96% of the general and targeted rates revenue budgeted in year two of the Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 of $82.8 million.
The following table shows the rates remissions approved per territorial authority, as a percentage of rates collected, noting that ‘rates collected’ excludes penalties.
3.3 Reserves
Summary of key reserve balances below:
Reserves |
Annual Plan |
Annual Report |
Variance |
Comments |
Regional Fund Reserve |
1,952 |
1,122 |
-830 |
$4m unbudgeted transfer from this reserve to fund additional investment in the Toi Moana Trust contributed to a lower balance.
The remaining variance is due to a combination of higher expenditure and higher revenue than planned. This resulted in higher surpluses across several Groups of Activities.
Higher expenditure is mainly attributable to $900k unbudgeted spend in Maritime on the joint project to remove a vessel from the Tauranga Harbour.
The full $1.1m is committed for spend in 2023/24.
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Equalisation Reserve |
0 |
554 |
554 |
The $554k is ring fenced operating expenditure carried forward to 2023/24 for the ferry feasibility study, bus decarbonisation and climate change projects. |
PT Reserves |
265 |
427 |
162 |
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R&D Works Reserve |
4,174 |
4,144 |
-30 |
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CDEM Reserve |
1,559 |
1,774 |
215 |
Higher than budgeted revenue received in Emergency Management activity. |
Rotorua Lakes Deed Funding Reserve |
638 |
-160 |
-798 |
Lower reserve balance due to full utilisation of funding received from the Ministry for the Environment for deed- funded projects. |
Toi Moana Fund |
70,000 |
70,000 |
0 |
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Asset Replacement Reserve |
-302 |
7,684 |
7,986 |
The variance is mainly due to lower-than-expected capital expenditure. This results in lower withdrawals required from the Asset Replacement Reserve to fund the capital expenditure.
Actual withdrawal from the reserve of $7m for the additional investment in the Toi Moana Trust was lower than the budget of $11m. |
4. Audit Opinion
Audit New Zealand have provided verbal clearance on the Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2023. Verbal clearance on the Summary Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2023 is expected to be received before the Council meeting.
Audit New Zealand’s appointed auditor, Leon Pieterse, will be in attendance to present the audit opinion.
5. Considerations
5.1 Risks and Mitigations
There are no additional direct risk implications arising as a result of this report. Council will continue to closely monitor its delivery of the Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 key performance indicators and financial performance through its in-year monitoring processes.
5.2 Climate Change
There are no direct climate change implications arising as a result of this report. Climate Change is identified as a strategic challenge facing the Bay of Plenty Region. The Annual Report provides a report on the financial and non-financial performance of Council this includes work delivered through Groups of Activities to understand and respond to Climate Change implications.
5.3 Implications for Māori
There are no direct implications for Māori arising as a result of this report. The Annual Report provides a report on the financial and non-financial performance of Council. This includes reporting on work to support Māori participation in Council decision making processes.
5.4 Community Engagement
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Engagement with the community is not required as the recommended proposal / decision relates to internal Council matters only. |
5.5 Financial Implications
This report and the supporting documents highlight a moderate financial performance by Council despite the impacts of the current economic climate. The majority of the capital budget underspend in 2022/23 has been carried forward to future years through the Annual Plan 2023/24 process. Council has pre-funded its capital works programme through borrowings from the Local Government Funding Agency.
6. Next Steps
The Local Government Act 2002 requires Council to release the Annual Reports to the public within one month of being adopted. Staff will finalise formatting of the documents over the next few weeks The documents are planned to be released on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s website in November 2023. Printed copies will be available later in the 2023 calendar year after publishing on our website.
Attachment 1 - 2022/23 Bay of Plenty Regional Council Annual Report ⇩
Attachment 2 - 2022/23 Bay of Plenty Regional Council Summary Annual Report ⇩