Official Information Request - rates arrears & late payment penalties

Sent: Thursday, 6 July 2023 2:35 pm
Subject: Official Information request - rates arrears and late payment penalties

I refer to your Official Information request of 26 May 2023 regarding rates arrears and late payment penalties and respond below as per your letter:

1. What is the total value of rates arrears and late payment penalties (which have not been paid and remain outstanding at the date of this letter) for each of the following rating years:

1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017

1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018

1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019

1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022

Council’s operating system does not break overdue rates into brackets as far back as the number of years requested, therefore the full breakdown cannot be provided as per section 17(e) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act ‘the information requested does not exist’. The overdue rates and penalty balances as at the date of the letter (26 May 2023) can, however, be broken down as follows:

2. Is the Rotorua Lakes Council predicting the total value of rates arrears and late payment penalties for the 2022/2023 rating year to increase or decrease on the previous rating year?
Year-end financial accounts for 30 June 2023 are about to be prepared to confirm penalties and arrears. Given interim results to date it is likely that arrears and penalties will be similar to 30 June 2022.

3. Is the Rotorua Lakes Council predicting the total value of rates arrears and late payment penalties for the 2023/2024 rating year to increase or decrease on the previous rating year?
The 2023/24 Annual Plan does not include an assumption for additional arrears or late penalty payments.

4. How many rating units have arrears of rates and/or late payment penalties which have been outstanding for more than 12 months?
As at the date of the letter (26 May 2023), there were 433 rating units out of approximately 30,000 that had rates 12 months old or older.

5. What are the Rotorua Lakes Council’s policies and processes for the collection of any outstanding rates and late payment penalties?
Council follows the legal provisions allowed for in the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 to collect outstanding rates or late payment penalties Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 No 6 (as at 01 July 2022), Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation, specifically from section 59 onwards.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this response/decision. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted by calling 0800 802 602, emailing info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, online at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.

Regards