Mayor’s Introduction The new Blenheim library and art gallery will not only help invigorate the lower High Street river area and attract more visitors, but willalso offer a better service to the public, as we have seen with the new Picton Library and Service Centre - Waitohi Whare Mātauranga. Councillors decided to accelerate the Youth Development Centre project some years ahead of schedule by contributing $400k from Council Reserves. As Council owns the former CRT building, this means a significant saving on capital previously allocated to fund a new building. Council adopted its Development Contributions Policy as proposed, the 2018-48 Infrastructure Strategy and the 2018-28 Financial Strategy. On the proposed rating policy changes, we decided to remove the Rating Area Percentage targets for each Geographic Rating Area and agreed to provide rates remissions to Picton Vicinity ratepayers for increases above 40% for a period of three years, as contained in the Consultation Document. While the review of the Geographic Rating Areas’ cost allocations was challenged by some Picton Vicinity ratepayers, Councillors confirmed their view that the previous methods were inequitable from a district-wide perspective. Overall there was strong public support for the projects proposed in our Consultation Document. I’d like to thank Councillors and staff for their hard work and pragmatic decision-making. Thank you to everyone who made a submission or came and spoke to us in person. It was inspiring to hear from such a broad range of Marlburians, who by and large want only the best for their community. 2018-2028 Long Term Plan Page 5