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RAKIRAKI TOWN COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT (Section 19 – Local Government Act Cap 125) FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 SEINI RAIKO ITERIM ADMINISTRATOR 1 | P a g e TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1.

HISTORY 2.

COPORATE OVERVIEW 2.1.

2.2.

2.3.

2.4.

Vision Mission Values Role and Responsibilities of the Council 3.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2012 Page No.

3 4-5 6-7 4.

OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL 8 5.

ORGANISATION CHART/STRUCTURE 6.

ADMIN & FINANCE 7.

PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES 8.

PARKS/GARDENS/SPACES 9 10-13 14 15 9.


PUBLIC HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT/BUILDING & SUBDIVISION 15-16 10.

PROJECT 11.

HUMAN RESORCE/INDUSTRIAL RELATION 12.

APPRECIATION 16 17 18 2 | P a g e 1.0 HISTORY Rakiraki town boasts a number of historic sites and buildings.

It has the first sugar mill in Fiji, the first Hindu Temple when the Fijians of Indian descent first settled in Fiji.
It has the first primary school Established in western division; it has burial ground of the last cannibal “Udreudre” 1.1 ESTABLISHMENT The Town of Rakiraki was legally declared on Thursday July 1 2010.

The Public Service Commission approved the use of an office space in the government rented complex at Vaileka House where official operations commenced on Monday 6th July 2010.
1.2 POPULATION It has about 4952 residents were recorded from 2007 Census .Rakiraki is an ideal city where people from various ethnic backgrounds have settled and have lived harmoniously and have prospered with their hard work and dedication.

Total of 9 schools, 3 secondary schools & 6 primary schools.

1.3 LOCATION The city is situated in the western side of Viti Levu, the largest island of Fiji.
The city is surrounded with the blue Pacific Ocean on the western side together with sugar cane and pine trees on the other sides.

3 | P a g e 2.0 COPORATE OVERVIEW 2.1 Vision The Rakiraki Town is a well-planned, healthy, safe and secure community with a strong community identity and sense of place.

It is a full service, economically sustaining town where people can affordably live, work, shop and recreate.
It has an integrated open space, rivers, mountains and parks system that provide opportunities for residents to enjoy the natural resources of the community as well as quality, up to date infrastructure and facilities.

The architecture and streetscape design provide for a small town, pedestrian oriented ambience.

Neighborhood centers provide parks, shopping and community gathering opportunities in an appropriate mix and scale that promotes a feeling of community and connectedness.
Rakiraki has an active, educated and involved citizenry who provide invaluable resources to the town through their spirit of volunteerism and civic participation.
2.2 Mission The town of Rakiraki mission is to create and sustain our community vitality and quality of life by: Planning well for our Town’s future while preserving the traditions of our past; Instilling a sense of belonging and connection within our community Safeguarding our community; Providing adequate and quality community facilities and services and programs; Ensuring the economic health and fiscal stability of the Town; i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.
iii.

iv.

v. vi.

Balancing economic development with the social values, traditions and needs of the community; vii.
Developing positive relations with our citizens, businesses and partners and promoting community involvement; Providing opportunities for citizens to enjoy and participate in educational, cultural and artistic VALUES 2.3 Values The delivery of all services is based on the following core values: Innovative and Transparent Leadership, Accountability, Integrity, Respect, Customer Focus, Environmental Sustainability, Teamwork and Commitment, Civic Pride and Safety.
4 | P a g e 2.4 Role and Responsibilities of the Council The council is responsible for the formulation and implementation of town Bylaws and planning policies.

To achieve this, the council defines the core business and responsibilities for 2018 as follows: a) Corporate services i.

Implementation of policy decisions for the overall administration of the council’s budgeting, planning, financial and accounting control and managing human resources.

b) Local Government i.


Implementation and evaluation of the performance of council and stakeholders for good governance of economic activities.

Acts and regulations implementation.

c) Commercial Vehicles i.

Provision of stands for public transportation and access of the public.

d) Market Operation i. Administer the provision of market services with specific emphasis on quality of products and regularized standards and infrastructure.

e) Women Vendors Overnight Accommodation i.


Manage, coordinate and monitor the economic empowerment of women in line with the UN Women Partner Improving Market project and UNDP PC Millennium Market objectives.

f) Investment i.

Partner with investment Fiji for profile marketing of Rakiraki to Local and g) Commercialization overseas investors.

i.

Public Private Partnership/sole operations for additional revenue generations.
5 | P a g e 3.0 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2012 3.1 STATE OF DISASTER – AFTERMATH OF TWO (2) TROPICAL DEPRESSIONS The impact of the two (2) tropical depressions that hit the western division at the end of January and March, 2012 were heavily felt respectively by our neighbouring municipalities and Rakiraki was no exceptional.

On Monday 23rd Jan to Wednesday 25th Jan 2012, Rains continued throughout the night and day with flood water rising.
Evacuation of Qelema settlement residents at 0200hrs as the flood waters continues to rise.

Residents behind the CBD opposite the National Fore Authority, Rakiraki Station have been evacuated at 0230hrs.

3.2 OPENING OF THE MARKET LEARNING CENTRE Market Learning Centre opened by Assistant Minister for Local Government, Housing & Urban Development & Environment on the 17th October 2012.
6 | P a g e 3.3 GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE RAKIRAKI WOMEN VENDORS OVERNIGHT ACCOMODATION The Permeant Secretary for Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development Housing & Environment – Mrs Taina Tagicakibau – pours a shovel of cement for the Ground breaking of the Rakiraki Women Vendors Overnight Accommodation as the Turaga na Tui Navitilevu – Ratu Meli Bolobolo – look on 7 | P a g e 4.0 OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL The Principal Officer of the Council for the period of this report is the Interim Special Administrator, Seini Raiko Staff support Team Market Ilaisa Vakaloloma Suriya Nand Vaciseva Mateiwai Lisi Seru Administration Seini Raiko Taleitaki Ledua Milika Sekira Finance Akanisi Bonaseva Enforcement Epeli Vukinagauna Banuve Nima Labourers (7) Sitiveni Uqe Satend Kumar Ravneel Kumar Rakesh Kumar Poasa Rareba Laisiasa Valesu Esira Navuase Project Emi Adi Vutevute 8 | P a g e 5.0 RAKIRAKI TOWN COUNCIL - ORGANISATION STRUCTURE 2012 Minister Permeant Secretary Deputy Secretary Director Local Govt Interim Administrators Volunteers Market Manager Enforcement Finance Administrative assistant Market Attendant Laborers 9 | P a g e 6.0 FINANCE 6.1 Rates The Council has not begun collect rates collection for the period.
The Initial valuation assessment is currently Underway by the Department of Lands & Survey.

Rates can only be levied on the completion of the Valuation Exercise is expected to be completed in October 2011.

6.2 Garbage Fees The Council levied garbage fees of $23.00 per bin per annum; this is the rate that was being levied by the Rural LocalAuthority when operations were transferred to the Council of 28th September 2010.
The Ministry of Health is in the process of conducting another survey to determine the exact number of bins in the town boundary.

6.3 Business License Fees The Rakiraki Town Business License Fees schedule was gazette in October 2010 and the Council commenced collection of these fees in the same month.

The Department of Town & Country Planning Project survey team recorded two hundreds and seventeen (217) business in town boundary.
23% 77% Business license fully paid Defaulters The Enforcement officer is following up on the defaulters.

6.4 Municipal Market Fees Market Fees have not been reviewed since the operation were transferred from the Ra Rural Local Authority on the 28th September 2010.

Current fees are: Inside stall ( with tables) i.

Outside ground space ( without tables) - ii.

- iii.

Digicel block stalls - iv.

Main market block - v. Kava stall - vi.

- vii.
- Refreshment Bar Fish market 25 cents per block 45 cents per space per day $1.15 cents per stall per day $35 dollars per month $2.30 per day $206 per month 10 cents per kg 10 | P a g e 6.5 Commercial Vehicle Base Fees There are (7) taxi stands in the town boundary: - Name of stand No.of Taxi Narendra Lal store Parshu Ram Garage Qelema Street Naduwai Lane Vaileka House Ra Sub-divisional Hospital Rakiraki Market 1 1 1 1 1 1 49 1 1 1 1 1 1 49 Narendra Lal store Parshu Ram Garage Qelema Street Naduwai Lane Vaileka House Ra Sub-divisional Hospital Rakiraki Market 6.6 Carriers There was no carriers operators during this year.
Few carriers have been operating illegally and they have been encouraged to submit their applications so that the council can assist them to operate legally.
11 | P a g e 6.7 RECURRENT REVENUE & EXPENDITURE The total recurrent revenue and expenditure of the council for the year ending December 31, 2012 were as follows:- 12 | P a g e General FundMarket Operations59,570.28$ Garbage Fees9,683.88$ Toilet Operations35,370.68$ Community Centre Rent2,793.90$ Community Centre Hall Hire111.26$ Rent - Refreshment Bar -$ Office Revenue-$ Town Rates-$ Business License Fees26,758.41$ Commercial Vehicle Base Fees5,099.49$ Rakiraki Carnival 2016-$ Grant - MLGUDHE (Salary - Accountant)-$ Grant - MLGUDHE (Salary - CEO)-$ Capital Grant- Costing of Phase II -$ - Garbage Truck-$ - FSC Ground facility upgrade-$ - 15 Solar Street Lights-$ - Upgrade of Davui Park-$ -2nd Phase - Market Extension-$ Challenge Fund - 30 Wheelie bins-$ - 10 Parking Meter-$ TD04F Post Flood Cleanup Phase I-$ TD04F Post Flood Cleanup Phase II-$ TOTAL OPERATING INCOME & CAPITAL GRANT / CHALLENGE FUND139,387.91$ OPERATING INCOMEAMOUNT ($) 13 | P a g e Staff Wages44,505.46$ CEO- Additional Benefit-$ CEO- Vehicle-$ Garbage Contractor7,417.44$ Stationery8,047.72$ Post Fiji - Box Rental164.83$ Market Insurance3,344.94$ Toilet Expenses15,416.37$ Town Rates Expense-$ Office Expense-$ Servicing -Council Vehicle (FW 171)Market Utilities3,569.77$ Petty CashFNPF7,666.01$ Fuel - Grass Cutting & Council Vehicle (FW 171)166.48$ Worshop & Meetings-$ Carnival Expense-$ Water Bill-$ Telephone Bill-$ Electricity Bill-$ New Year's Eve - Street Party-$ VAT2,417.34$ Clean Up Campaign-$ TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE 92,716.35$ CAPITAL GRANT & CHALLENGE FUNDGrant - MLGUDHE (Salary - Accountant)-$ Grant - MLGUDHE (Salary - CEO)-$ Costing of Phase II -$ - Garbage Truck-$ - FSC ground facility upgrade-$ - 15 Solar Street Lights-$ - Upgrade of Davui Park-$ -2nd Phase - Market Extension-$ Challenge Fund - 30 Wheelie bins-$ - 10 Parking Meter-$ TD04F Post Flood Clean Up Phase I-$ TD04F Post Flood Clean Up Phase II-$ TOTAL CAPITAL & CHALLENGE FUND EXPENSE92,716.35$ SUMMARYIncome139,387.91$ Expenditure92,716.35$ SURPLUS46,671.56$ EXPENDITURE 7.0
 PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES These services were offered to the public for the Council by the Department of National Roads (DNR) 7.1 ROADS & DRAINS The Council is awaiting the roads upgrade project from the Central Coordinating Agency for Roads but drain cleaning is carried out by the Market Staff.
The Department of National Roads does routine maintenance work on the municipal roads whilst the Council assist with roadside grass cutting when required.

All Department of National Road owned road drains are still maintained by the Council.

This is an added expense to the Council with very minimal return from Department of National Road.
Normal Routine services and maintenance such as garbage /refuse collection , grass cutting in the town area, cleaning of public drains, clean up campaigns, mowing the road verges and upkeep of parks & gardens were carried out throughout the year 14 | P a g e 8.0 PARKS /GARDENS/ OPEN SPACES There is only one (1) park and no garden or open spaces in the Council.

However, the Department of Lands & Survey is working on vesting of these spaces to the Council.
Planting of trees and flowers was also undertaken in the commercial and industrial areas as part of an ongoing beautification of the town and keep up with the image of Rakiraki being a “GREEN TOWN” 9.0 PUBLIC HEALTH /ENVIRONMENT/BUILDING & SUB-DIVISION The Council has worked with the Ministry of Health in the integrated planning and public Health/environment management.
However due to the absence of full-time health inspector with the Council, the Council depends on the time allocated by the Ministry of Health and its assistance and support the municipality.

The Council has also in partnership with the Ministry of Environment , has trained and appointed Litter Prevention Officer (LPO).In view of lack of resources to employ LPOs on a full time basis, the officers have been appointed on a voluntary basis.
Completed 1 2 3 15 1 6 2 2 32 9.1 SUMMARY OF INSPECTION Types of Premises Inspected Repairs, cleaning of hotel, boarding houses Illegal structures Accumulation of refuse referred to contractor Cleaning of overgrown grass Repairs to water mains- referred to PWD Supermarkets, markets, greengrocers Improvements of Bakery Inspection of nuisance from farm Total 9.2 Registration of Food Premises Refreshment Bar Bake House Hotels Kava Pounding Restaurants without Liquor Butcher shops Supermarket Food shop Hawkers Total 15 | P a g e Order 1 3 3 18 2 6 2 4 39 12 2 1 1 6 2 5 18 6 53 9.3 NUMBER OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT DURING THE YEAR TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT New Alteration & Total for Applications Repairs Extensions the Year Residential Commercial Industrial Hotels/Resorts Schools Civic Miscellaneous TOTAL 6 2 1 2 3 - - 14 4 - - - 1 - - 5 5 - - 1 - - - 6 15 2 1 3 4 - - 25 10.0 PROJECTS 1.
Construction of Women Market Vendors Accommodations 2.

Building of New Rakiraki Market 16 | P a g e 11.0 HUMAN RESOURCE & INDUSTRIAL RELATION At the end of the year, the council had following employees on its payroll:- Department Permeant Contract Total 5 4 2 1 12 5 4 2 1 12 12 ] Admin & Finance Market & Works Enforcement Officer Project Total [2012: 11.1 RETIREMENT None .
11.2 RESIGNATION None 11.3 TERMINATED None 17 | P a g e 12.0 APPRECIATION The council wishes to convey its appreciation and gratitude to the ratepayers for paying their rates and other dues to meet the running cost of the city administration.

The council also wishes to acknowledge the dedicated and loyal services rendered by its staff and employees.

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