A sitting Councillor, who is running for Mayor, questioning the affordability of 10% rate increases for 10 years ? That is a pleasant surprise.

Max Brough, a current sitting Councillor, who is running this year as a candidate for Mayor of New Plymouth, has a story in the Daily News titled:

Brough: Would a rates cap prevent the kneecapping of ratepayers?

 Having just covered a story ourselves the previous day, about LGNZ mounting a campaign to use ratepayer income to counter the Taxpayers Union rates capping campaign, this was an interesting perspective for a candidate looking for our Vote as the next Mayor.

It is refreshing to see a discussion by an elected official questioning the current setting for rates, and making comments like:

“Simply put, for many of us, an average at 10% annually for 10 years is out of kilter with the reality of affordability.”

The link to Max Brough’s story is here:

https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360751935/brough-would-rates-cap-prevent-kneecapping-ratepayers