The Thames-Coromandel council says it will keep the average rates increases across the district to 1.4 per cent this financial year.

The council adopted the work programmes and budgets for July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017, during its full meeting on Thursday.

A graph illustrating rates since the 2009/10 financial year. Click on the graph to see a larger version. Image: TCDC

In a media statement, a council spokesperson says their financial situation is very good for 2016/17, and the average rates increase of 1.4 per cent is lower than the 2.61 per cent they projected in the 2015 long term plan.

'Our financial reserves are in a healthy state and we're narrowing the gap between forecast capital expenditure and actual spending. We have put in place robust project management programmes to further reduce the gap,” the spokesperson says.

It 2016/17 Annual Plan which was adopted on Thursday is the first to be drawn up under recent legislation which does not require councils to hold a public consultation if there's no significant or material changes in budgets and work activity from the last long term plan.

No formal consultation was held with this latest plan, but instead, Thames-Coromandel's community boards each held public information sessions informing people of what to expect for the new financial year in their area.

Mayor Glenn Leach says council has achieved a realistic annual plan, with a prudent eye on costs.

'That allows us to keep largely on track with the direction and priorities set in our 2015-2025 Long Term Plan,” he says.

For more information or to view the notable differences visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's Annual Plan 2016/17 webpage.

Image: TCDC