For finance managers, revenue managers, rating staff and legal staff.
- 21 Oct 2019-22 Oct 2019
- 09:00 - 17:00
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- Rydges Hotel, 75 Featherston St, Wellington, Wellington City, New Zealand
About this event
Overview
The Funding and Rating Forum is a two day event designed to build knowledge and awareness of funding and rating policy issues and practice challenges across the sector.
This year’s Forum takes place against the backdrop of two major policy reviews – the inquiry into Local Government Funding and Financing, the DIA led Infrastructure Funding and the DIA/Te Puni Kōkiri review of the rating of Māori land. We’ll bring you the latest with each of these reviews and have a think about what each of these might mean for the sector.
Last year you told us you wanted to hear more about funding sources other than rates. We have sessions on setting fees and charges (both the theoretical and the practical), crowd-funding and sponsorship.
We have restored the “one day policy, one day practice” focus for the event. As always, there is a mix of formal presentations, information sharing discussion groups, and thought-provoking panels.
Registration:
Day 1+2 & Dinner - Member: $935.00+GST/Non-member: $1,060.oo+GST
Day 1 Only & Dinner - Member: $623.00+GST/Non-member: $707.00+GST
Day 2 Only - Member: $575.00+GST/Non-member: $680.00+GST
Who should attend:
- Finance managers and staff
- Rating and revenue managers
- Anyone with an interest in financial strategy, funding policy, or development contributions
Topics to be covered include:
- the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Local Government Funding and Financing
- funding tools for growth infrastructure
- setting fees and charges
- third party funding – crowdfunding, sponsorship etc
- the online rates rebates trial
- rating of Māori land and
- the ‘usual’ updates on valuation and land information issues, legal matters, and (of course) what’s coming up in the sector and from the Wellington ‘beltway’.
Note: Claiming CPD Credits
Delegates at this Forum who are members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) may be able to claim credits towards meeting their Continuing Professional Development requirements. Delegates wishing to pursue this should provide CA ANZ with the forum’s outline and confirmation – which we can supply, of their attendance.
Day One: Funding and Rating Policy Day
9.30am Introduction to the Forum
Raymond Horan, Chief Adviser, Taituarā
9.35am Takeaways from the Productivity Commission’s Report
Raymond Horan, Chief Adviser, Taituarā
Martin Read, Manager, Financial Strategy & Treasury, Wellington City Council
Bronda Smith, CFO, Central Hawkes Bay District Council
The Productivity Commission’s draft report has made 30 recommendations for change to the way that local authorities fund, plan, make decisions and how hardship is addressed. To begin the Forum, we start with a reminder of what’s up for discussion and two practitioners talk about what it means for the sector, and their particular part of the sector.
10.35am Morning Tea
10.50am Funding Tools for Growth Infrastructure
Andrew Duncan, Financial Policy Manager, Auckland Council
11.20am A Word from our Sponsor: Ibis information Systems
12.10pm Lunch
12.45pm Marketplace of Information - Session One
Choose from one:
A. A Practical Guide to Crowdfunding - led by Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
Crowdfunding is becoming a more prevalent way of local authorities funding community projects. Raymond will present the perspectives and tips that two of the English agencies in Taituarā’s network have to share.
B. Targeted Rating Issues - led by Pauline Jackson, Senior Revenue Officer, Mackenzie District Council
Defining SUIPs (including making the line calls), making the policy decision to go for a targeted rate, creative use of targeted rating powers, maintenance of the necessary RID information and other issues with targeted rates.
C. The Kāpiti Coast District Council Rating Review - Jacinta Straker, Chief Financial Officer, Kāpiti Coast District Council
Jacinta will talk about KCDC’s 2017 rates review including the council’s approach to determining what’s affordable.
1.45pm Marketplace of Information - Session Two
Choose from one:
A. Setting Fees and Charges - led by Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
According to Statistics New Zealand, sales of good and services make up around one-sixth of our sector’s operating income. Getting the fees and charges right is an important decision both for the amount of revenue involved and for the economic signals that pricing sends. This session provides an overview of the key aspects if Taituarā’s guidance on setting fees and charges.
B. Targeted Rating Issues - led by Pauline Jackson, Senior Revenue Officer, Mackenzie District Council
See the description under Marketplace of Information Session One
C. The Kāpiti Coast District Council Rating Review - Jacinta Straker, Chief Financial Officer,Kāpiti Coast District Council
See the description under Marketplace of Information Session One
2.45pm Afternoon Tea
3.05pm Funding Through Strategic Partnerships
Jane Sheetz, Former Head of Strategic Partnerships, Auckland Council
Sponsorships, grants and other funding arising from partnerships and relationships are becoming an important source of funding, especially for community assets and facilities. Jane will present some case studies that will help maximise your chances of success with your own ‘pitch’.
3.50pm A Global Fees Review: Tararua District Council
Raj Suppiah, Chief Financial Officer, Tararua District Council
From the theory of setting fees and charges to the practice. To finish the first day here’s a case study of a council that took a centralised approach to the review of fees and charges.
4.35pm What's Coming Up?
Kate Macnaught, Sector Improvement Manager, Taituarā
The latest on what’s going on within the Beltway, the latest that’s new and exciting from Taituarā and assorted other news that’s relevant.
5.05pm Summing Up from Day One
The Ibis Information Systems Forum Dinner
Day Two: Rating Policy and Practice Day
9.00am Welcome to Day Two
9.05am Legal Update
Lizzy Wiessing, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson
The annual update on developments in statute, case law and other legal matters relevant to funding and rating.
9.50am The Online Rates Rebates Trial
Jim Taylor, Manager Transactional Services, Tauranga City Council and DIA representative TBC
Tauranga City and others have worked with DIA’s Service Innovation Lab to test an online system for rates rebates. Jim will present the trial and findings, and we’ll look ahead to what might happen next.
10.20am Morning Tea
10.40am A Word from Our Sponsor QV
11.00am Valuation Update
Neill Sullivan, Valuer-General, Office of Valuer-General
The annual update on current valuation policy and practice matters and other developments in the world of land information.
11.50pm Marketplace of information: Session Three
Choose from one:
A. Collection and Enforcement Issues – led by Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
B. Non-rateability Issues – led by Jamie Cunningham, Finance Officer – Rates, Southland District Council
C. Valuation and Land Information – by Katherine Voelkerling, Senior Rates Advisor, Whangarei District Council
12.40pm Lunch
1.20pm Marketplace of Information: Session Four
Choose another session from the above options.
2.10pm The Rating of Māori Land: Some Things to Think About
Keith Miller Principal Policy Analyst, Department of Internal Affairs
DIA and Te Puni Kokiri are taking another look at the rating of Māori land. To finish this year’s event Keith will discuss some things they are thinking about.
3.00pm Summing Up (including a look ahead to the Funding Inquiry Forum)
3.15pm Close of Event
Presenters
Andrew Duncan
Manager Financial Policy, Strategy and Planning, Auckland Council Read ProfileAndrew Duncan
Manager Financial Policy, Strategy and Planning, Auckland CouncilAndrew Duncan is the Manager Financial Policy for Auckland Council responsible for advising elected members on rates and development contributions. Andrew advised the council on the standardisation of the rating policies of the seven former councils following their amalgamation into Auckland Council in 2010. He previously worked for Manukau City Council, now a part of Auckland Council, advising on the establishment of the city’s water operations as a council owned company. Prior to this Andrew worked in central government in the health sector and advising on the establishment and regulation of state-owned enterprises
Lizzy Wiessing
Read ProfileLizzy Wiessing
Lizzy commenced her career in local government as a strategic policy analyst at the Western Bay of Plenty District Council. She then worked at a law firm in Tauranga as a resource management and litigation solicitor, with a special interest in local government issues, before joining Simpson Grierson in June 2012.
Lizzy has a particular interest and expertise in rating and valuation law, and judicial review litigation. She has represented clients at all levels of the Courts, and acted for the councils in the recent high-profile judicial review rating cases.
Raj Suppiah
Group Manager Corporate, Tararua District Council Read ProfileRaj Suppiah
Group Manager Corporate, Tararua District CouncilRaj Suppiah joined Tararua District Council in May 2011. He sees that being able to communicate the bigger story behind the numbers is critical. “It is the story that makes people believe, and once they believe, people are inspired” he says.
Raj in working with his CE has been instrumental in developing collaborative working models. He says “you want to influence, you need to get into the tent”.
He has a strong desire for staff development and to see others succeed. Since joining Tararua District Council, Raj has helped deliver 10 year strategic plans that underpin the Council’s Vision, and the Financial and Infrastructure Strategies.
A key feature of the 10 year plans is the integration of the engineers and accountants approach to strategic infrastructure management and levels of service. Raj believes that you cannot have funding discussions and make infrastructure investment decisions without the engineers.
Jamie Cunningham
Systems and Implementation Consultant Ibis Information Systems Read ProfileJamie Cunningham
Systems and Implementation Consultant Ibis Information SystemsOriginally a debt collector from Glasgow, Jamie pursued a career in credit management and business analysis in London between 1999 and 2004. After London he moved to New Zealand and spent three years in Auckland working as a commercial manager in the newspaper advertising industry. Since then Jamie has worked for Environment Southland, Southland District Council and Central Otago District Council providing support for rating teams as well as detailed financial modelling and analysis for targeted rates and financial plans.
Katherine Voelkeling
Senior Rates Adviser, Whangarei District Council Read ProfileKatherine Voelkeling
Senior Rates Adviser, Whangarei District CouncilKatherine Voelkerling has been in central and local government for over 35 years, primarily dealing with rating valuations. She started with Valuation New Zealand in the 1980’s and is currently working for Whangarei District Council as Senior Rates Adviser. She needs to be organized, accurate, technically agile and up to date with legislation and policy so that customer’s and the community’s growing expectations are met. Katherine’s goal is to continue learning and developing, delivering Whangarei’s “ love it here” customer experience.
Keith Miller
Principal Policy Analyst, DIA Read ProfileKeith Miller
Principal Policy Analyst, DIAKeith Miller is a Principal Policy Analyst with the Department of Internal Affairs. Prior to joining the Department Keith worked in local government in corporate services roles dealing, among other things, with financial management. At DIA Keith has worked on a number of the legislative changes that have affected local authorities over the last decade, including the establishment of the LGFA, and the various financial reporting reforms that have been introduced.
Jonathan Salter
Special Counsel , Simpson Grierson Read ProfileJonathan Salter
Special Counsel , Simpson GriersonJonathan is a member of Simpson Grierson’s environment and planning group, specialising in public law and local government in particular. He is one of New Zealand's leading experts on the structures, processes, and funding of local government, with significant experience in council’s rating functions and associated decision-making.
Jim Taylor
Transactional Services Manager Read ProfileJim Taylor
Transactional Services ManagerJim Taylor Revenue Manager Tauranga City Council. Jim has worked in local government for 15 years. Prior to this, he was 3 years in Telecoms wholesale market and 7 years with TrustPower as billing Manager. Jim is passionate about customer service and collaborating with central/ local government, and external organisations, to provide the services that our customers expect. Jim recently led a rating amendment review in Tauranga, introducing new differentials and targeted rates.
Martin Read
Manager, Financial Strategy & Treasury Read ProfileMartin Read
Manager, Financial Strategy & TreasuryMartin is the Manager of Financial Strategy & Treasury at Wellington City Council and has been leading finance teams since 2009.. He has developed Wellington City Council’s Financial Strategy over this time, and has lead 3 LTPs and one LTP amendment. He has advised and lead a number of strategic and developments like the Wellington Region local government amalgamation application and the implementation of TechnologyOne ‘one council’ enterprise system. Martin was the Council witness for the successful defence of the recent WCC commercial rating case in the in the High Court. He has a background in commercial finance roles in NZ, the UK and Ireland and is the WCC representative member of the LGFA shareholders Council.
Neill Sullivan
Valuer-General, Land Information New Zealand Read ProfileNeill Sullivan
Valuer-General, Land Information New ZealandNeill Sullivan has been the Valuer-General in New Zealand since 2004 and is responsible for regulation and stewardship of the rating valuations system including certification of all revaluations. He is primarily responsible for ensuring Ratepayer confidence in the accuracy of the values assessed for taxing purposes. The current rating valuation system is now 20 years old and has been the subject of some high level review in recent times. Neill will speak today about some of the challenges facing the system and other topical rating valuation issues.
Jordan Hughes
Product Manager, Ibis Information Systems Read ProfileJordan Hughes
Product Manager, Ibis Information SystemsJordan Hughes joined Ibis in 2009 as an Implementation consultant/trainer, and moved into the Product Manager role during 2014, responsible for the financial modelling products in the Ibis suite of software.
Through his time consulting across Australia and New Zealand Jordan has gained extensive experience personally working with over 100 Councils. With a good level of knowledge of the rating legislation for all the different territories Jordan has also expanded his knowledge of local government rating complexities through working on such projects as Amalgamation impact studies, legislation review projects, Special Rates Variations and many other Rating review projects.
Melanie Lewis
General Manager Operations, QV Read ProfileMelanie Lewis
General Manager Operations, QVMelanie Lewis is QV’s General Manager of Operations for New Zealand and Australia. This includes not only rating valuation service provision, but also market valuations, asset and advisory services, and property management functions. Mel is a Registered Valuer with more than 20 years’ experience, having started her career in the 90’s in the Takapuna branch of ‘Valuation New Zealand’ carrying out what was then known as ‘government valuations’. Since then she has been in a variety of roles and has been instrumental in a number of transformational projects at QV.