CBD may assist to pay for security

City Assist team members on patrol in the Hastings CBD. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Hastings District Council has confirmed financial support for the popular City Assist security initiative but will consider levying CBD businesses to fund the scheme from next year.

Councillors yesterday voted to stump up the $82,000 required to keep the scheme, and the similar Skate Park Guardians initiative, operating until the end of June.

They also voted to include the $390,000 cost of running the two schemes for the following 12 months in the council's 2014/15 annual plan, which will be open for public consultation.

If the 2014/15 expenditure is approved, the costs will be paid out of the council's general rate take until June 2015.

A review by council staff over the coming year will determine whether the scheme should then be funded - either fully or partially - through a targeted rate on CBD businesses from July 2015.

Councillors agreed yesterday that the schemes, which began with a City Assist trial in September last year, had been highly successful in transforming the atmosphere in the central city.

The schemes now involve six City Assist staff, who patrol the CBD in pairs, and four skate park guardians based at the William Nelson Park skate park.