Open Minutes
Commencing: Wednesday 6 March 2024, 09.00 am
Venue: Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga and via Zoom (Audio Visual attendance)
Chairperson: Chairman Doug Leeder
Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Chairperson Jane Nees
Members: Cr Malcolm Campbell – via Zoom
Cr Stuart Crosby – via Zoom
Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti – via Zoom
Cr Matemoana McDonald – via Zoom
Cr Kat Macmillan
Cr Ron Scott – via Zoom
Cr Ken Shirley – via Zoom
Cr Paula Thompson – via Zoom
Cr Lyall Thurston – via Zoom
Cr Andrew von Dadelszen
Cr Te Taru White
Cr Kevin Winters
In Attendance: Staff: Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive, Mat Taylor – General Manager Corporate, Namouta Poutasi – General Manager Strategy & Science, Kataraina O’Brien – General Manager Strategic Engagement, Karen Aspey – General Manager, People & Leadership, Kumaren Perumal – Chief Financial Officer, Angela Foster – Communications & Engagements Manager; Tone Nerdrum Smith – Senior Advisor Governance
Audit NZ: Leon Pieterse – Audit Director, Warren Goslett – Audit Manager
Apologies: None
The meeting was being livestreamed and recorded and the recording would be made available on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website following the meeting. Regional Council Meeting - 6 March 2024 (youtube.com)
1. Opening Karakia
A karakia was provided by Cr Te Taru White.
2. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
Cr Stuart Crosby: Item 3.1 Adoption of the Consultation Document and Supporting Documentation for the draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034, and Statements of Proposal for Associated Policy Reviews – Any reference to Quayside Holdings Ltd as Director.
Cr Te Taru White: Item 3.1 Adoption of the Consultation Document and Supporting Documentation for the draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034, and Statements of Proposal for Associated Policy Reviews – Any reference to Quayside Holdings Ltd as Director.
3. Reports
Decisions Required
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Adoption of the Consultation Document and Supporting Documentation for the draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034, and Statements of Proposal for Associated Policy Reviews Presented by: Kumaren Perumal – Chief Financial Officer; Angela Foster – Communications & Engagements Manager and Leon Pieterse – Audit Director and Warren Goslett – Audit Manager, Audit NZ. Key Points – Kumaren Perumal: · Noted that the report also covered the planned community engagement, which was the next steps of the Long Term Plan 2024-34 (LTP) process; and the Financial Policies and Statements of Proposals, which accompanied the LTP consultation · Key aspects to note in the Consultation Document included: o Headline numbers had not changed since the previous draft was presented to Council on 14 December 2023 o General rates increase was set at 4.1%. When adding inflation at 4.5% and growth at 1.3% , the total proposed general rate increase equalled 9.9%. Including the effect of various targeted rates increases, the total rates increase was 13%.. 9.16 am – Cr Shirley entered the meeting (via Zoom). Key Points - Leon Pieterse, Audit NZ: · The audit had been completed, but noted that any changes as a result of today’s meeting – even minor – would be reviewed by Audit NZ to ensure there was no impact on the Audit Report/Opinion provided · The Consultation Document had been assessed as providing effective basis for public participation in the LTP process · Recognised there were some uncertainties around capital expenditure, which was a normal consideration · Audit had paid particular attention to the proposed sale of Port of Tauranga shares, including a comprehensive review of Council’s external advice, and was satisfied that the proposal met the required audit standards. Key Points - Members: · Noted the significant effort of staff, Councillors and Audit NZ in this process · Noted that Elected Members could provide minor changes to staff for inclusion prior to the Consultation Document being finalised and published · Recognised the importance of open and transparent approach to the proposed rates increases, clearly identifying the various components of general/targeted rates; growth and inflation · Recommended avoiding yellow highlights with white text as challenging to read. Key Points - Staff: · Outlined minor changes to the consultation document and consultation questions to provide further clarity and consistency · Noted that the term ‘low carbon’ would be changed to ‘low emissions’ · Noted typographical corrections highlighted by Elected Members that would be incorporated · Noted that the wording and content within the Climate Action Plan was set through resolution of the Strategy & Policy Committee and that any proposed changes would have to be referred back to this Committee for consideration · Maritime operations savings: Clarified that the savings for ceasing the calling service for the Whakatāne Bar was within the total of $84k referred to as it covered both the calls as well as reduced legal fees. |
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That the Regional Council: 1 Receives the report, Adoption of the Consultation Document and Supporting Documentation for the draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034, and Statements of Proposal for Associated Policy Reviews. 2 Notes that the draft Consultation Document and supporting documents for the draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034 presented at the Regional Council meeting on 14 December 2023 has been subjected to an audit process and legal review and all required amendments have been made. 3 Adopts the following draft Policies and Statements of Proposal for public consultation from 8 March to 9 April : (a) Revenue and Financing Policy and Funding Needs Analysis (b) Rates Remissions and Postponement Policy (All Land) (c) Rates Remissions and Postponement Policy for Māori Freehold Land (d) Fees and Charges Policy (e) Development Contributions or Financial Contributions Policy (f) Significance and Engagement Policy 4 Adopts the following supporting documents to be made publicly available during the Special Consultative Procedure pursuant to section 93C(3)(c) of the Local Government Act 2002: (a) Draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034 Volume 1 (b) Draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034 Volume 2 (c) Draft Asset Management Plans and Summaries (d) PwC Divestment Case Background Information (e) Cameron Partners Advice (f) Climate Change Action Plan 5 Approves the Consultation Document (Draft for Consultation) in preparation for the signing of the Audit Opinion. 6 Receives the Audit Report and signed opinion by the auditor pursuant to s93C(4) of the Local Government Act (2002) to be included in the Consultation Document 7 Adopts the Consultation Document (Draft for Consultation) (including Audit Opinion) for the draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034 Special Consultative Procedure from 8 March to 9 April 2024 pursuant to section 93 of the Local Government Act (2002). 8 Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to make any final editorial amendments to the Consultation Document and draft supporting documents, if required, prior to commencement of the consultation period on 8 March 2024. 9 Confirms the decision has a medium level of significance as determined by the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. Council has identified and assessed different options and considered community views as part of making the decision, in proportion to the level of significance. CARRIED |
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Consultation Document and Audit Report/Opinion - Distributed Separately Noted that the Consultation Document and Audit Report/Opinion had been covered under the previous item. |
A karakia was provided by Cr Te Taru White.
9.28 am – the meeting closed.
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Chairperson, Regional Council