Regional Council

Open Minutes

Commencing:             Thursday 9 February 2023, 9.30 am

Venue:                         Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga

Chairperson:               Chairman Doug Leeder

Members:                    Cr Malcolm Campbell

Cr Stuart Crosby

Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti

Cr Kat Macmillan

Cr Matemoana McDonald

Cr Ron Scott

Cr Ken Shirley

Cr Paula Thompson

Cr Lyall Thurston

Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

Cr Te Taru White

Cr Kevin Winters

In Attendance:            Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive, Mat Taylor – General Manager Corporate, Namouta Poutasi – General Manager Strategy & Science, Reuben Fraser – General Manager Regulatory Services, Chris Ingle – General Manager Integrated Catchments;

Apologies:                  Cr Jane Nees

 

 

1.     Chairman’s Opening Statement

Chairman Leeder reminded those present that this meeting was being livestreamed and recorded and that the recording would be made available on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website following the meeting. Regional Council meeting - 9 February 2023 - YouTube

2.     Opening Karakia

A karakia was provided by Cr Lyall Thurston

3.     Apologies

Resolved

That the Regional Council:

1          Accepts the apology from Cr Jane Nees tendered at the meeting, noting possible intermittent attendance via Zoom.

Leeder/Winters

CARRIED

 

4.     Public Forum

4.1

Public Forum: Future Problem Solving - Tauranga Intermediate Presentation

Presentation - Future Problem Solving pdf - Council 9 February 2023: Objective ID A4305243  

Tauranga Intermediate representatives Heidi Askin, Drew Kenny, Ryan Piddock, and Ryman Song, supported by teacher Carolyn Richardson, presented this item..

 

Key Points:

·       Had won the national Future Problem Solving competition, which meant they qualified for the international finals in the United States

·       Was actively pursuing various funding opportunities for their trip

·       Local secondary schools (Tauranga Boys/Girls) would provide support, as would Tga Intermediate

·       The finals took place in June 2023 and the topics would be provided on 1 March 2023, enabling the teams to prepare

·       Sought funding towards travel, accommodation, registration and meals

·       Tauranga City Council had contributed $5,000 towards the overall funding goal of $28,000.

Key Points - Members:

·       Congratulated the students on their achievements and their roles as ambassadors for Tauranga

·       Suggested approaching Air NZ for flight support, e.g. with the recently established direct flight between Auckland and New York.

 

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       Staff to work with Councillors to consider funding opportunities.

 

5.     Declaration of Conflicts of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

6.     Minutes

Minutes to be Confirmed

6.1

Regional Council - 22 December 2022

 

Resolved

That the Regional Council:

1          Confirms the minutes of the Regional Council - 22 December 2022 as a true and correct record.

von Dadelszen/Shirley

CARRIED

 

7.     Reports

7.1

Chairperson's Report

Chairman Leeder advised of two corrections to the report and invited questions and comments from Elected Members.

Key Points:

·       Had not participated in the LGNZ Leader’s Zoom on 8 December 2022;

·       Waterwheel Historic Trust event on 29 January 2023 had been deferred due to adverse weather and would be rescheduled for a future date

Key Points - Members:

·       Noted the good turnout at the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association AGM

·       Recognised the significant effort of the Ratepayers Association in pursing the establishment of the Tarawera reticulation scheme.

 

Resolved

That the Regional Council:

1          Receives the report, Chairperson's Report.

Leeder/von Dadelszen

CARRIED

 

Decisions Required

7.2

Quayside Holdings Limited - Expiry of Directors' Terms of Appointment in 2023

Mat Taylor – General Manager Corporate and Gillian Payne – Principal Advisor presented this item, supported by Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive.

Key Points:

·       The membership and Chair of the Appointment Panel reflected the preference of the Quayside Board Chair

·       If the Chair of Council was not available, having the Deputy Chair as an alternate meant the matter would not have to be brought back to Council for a change to the composition of the Panel.

Key Points - Members:

·       Suggested appointing the Council Deputy Chair as an alternate if the Council Chair was unable to sit on the Panel, e.g. due to a conflict of interest.

 

Resolved

That the Regional Council:

1          Receives the report, Quayside Holdings Limited - Expiry of Directors' Terms of Appointment in 2023.

2          Appoints as members of the Nomination Panel for directors of Quayside Holdings Limited, for the period ending 31 December 2024, the following:

·                Chair, and as the alternate, the Deputy Chair of the Regional Council, and

·                Sue Suckling (Member of the NZ Institute of Directors), and

·                Chair of the Board of Quayside Holdings Limited (QHL), and as his alternate, Dr Warren Parker (independent director of QHL).

3          Appoints Sue Suckling as Chair of the Nomination Panel for directors of Quayside Holdings Limited.

 von Dadelszen/Crosby

CARRIED

 

 

7.3

Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Triennial Agreement 2022-2025

Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive presented this item.

Key Points:

·       It was a legal requirement to establish a triennial agreement following the local election that would be endorsed by each territorial authority before 1 March 2023

·       The strategic direction of the Mayoral Forum for the 2022-25 triennium would be discussed by the Mayors and Chairs.

 

Resolved

That the Regional Council:

1          Receives the report, Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Triennial Agreement 2022-2025.

2          Notes that the Local Government Act 2002 requires not later than 1 March after each triennial general election of members, all local authorities within each region to enter into a triennial agreement covering the period until the next election.

3          Endorses the draft Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Triennial Agreement 2022-2025.

  Thurston/Campbell

CARRIED

 

 

Information Only

7.4

Project Future Proof Update – Whakatāne River

Presentation - Project Future Proof Update pdf - Council 9 February 2023: Objective ID A4310828  

Chris Ingle – General Manager Integrated Catchments; and Mark Townsend – Engineering Manager presented this item.

Key Points:

·       The 2017 floods had accentuated the need for a more effective flood protection for Whakatāne and supported the investment and prioritisation of Future Proof Project

·       Progress had been slower than preferred due to the ongoing negotiations with all affected parties

·       Recognised that a 1.7m floodwall would have a visual impact, however it would primarily be visible from the riverside towards land

·       There had been long-standing communication between Regional Council and Whakatāne District Council staff regarding the proposal to ensure there were no surprises as a result of today’s presentation

·       Rainfall patterns were changing to ‘heavy ended rain events’, which meant the ground was saturated as the final, higher rain volume occurred

·       ‘Managed retreat’ would mean a slow retreat from the most affected areas, where engineering solutions were no longer a viable option

·       Rural stopbanks/bunds would provide additional protection for affected landowners during smaller flooding events.

Key Points - Members:

·       The terminology ‘100 year events’ was a misnomer and created a false sense of security for the community

·       There was significant concern within the Whakatāne community regarding flooding, which emphasized the need for ongoing and well considered communication

·       Noted that the communication from Regional Council on this project had increased to reach the wider community.

 

Items for Staff Follow Up:

·       Councillors to be advised when a project update was next being presented to a Whakatāne District Council meeting.

 

Resolved

That the Regional Council:

1          Receives the report, Project Future Proof Update – Whakatāne River.

Leeder/White

CARRIED

 

7.5

BOPLASS Annual Report - 30 June 2022

Mark Le Comte – Principal Advisor Finance, Kumaren Perumal – Chief Financial Officer, supported by Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive presented this item.

Key Points - Staff:

·        Recognised the significant achievements of BOPLASS in the procurement space, in particular for insurance coverage

·       The Bay of Plenty councils’ Chief Executives were in discussions regarding further opportunities for region wide collaboration, with findings and recommendations to be reported back to councils once ready.

 

Resolved

That the Regional Council:

1          Receives the report, BOPLASS Annual Report - 30 June 2022.

Crosby/von Dadelszen

CARRIED

 

10.35 am – The meeting adjourned.

 

11.00 am – The meeting reconvened.

 

8.     Public Excluded Section

Resolved

Resolution to exclude the public

1        Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting as set out below:

The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

Item No.

Subject of each matter to be considered

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Grounds under Section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

When the item can be released into the public

8.1

Waihi Estuary Catchment - Wetland Creation Opportunity

Withholding the information is necessary to enable any local authority holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.

48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(h).

On the Chief Executive's approval.

Leeder/Thurston

CARRIED

 

9.     Closing Karakia

A karakia was provided by Cr Te Taru White.

 

 

11.42 am – the meeting closed.

 

 

Confirmed                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                         Chairman Doug Leeder

Chairperson, Regional Council