Agenda of Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum - Friday, 16 August 2024

Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum

Membership

Chairperson	Mayor Tania Tapsell
Deputy Chairperson	Mayor Victor Luca
Members
Bay of Plenty Regional Council	Chairman Doug Leeder Chief Executive Fiona McTavish
Kawerau District Council	Mayor Faylene Tunui Chief Executive Morgan Godfery
Ōpōtiki District Council	Mayor David Moore Chief Executive Stace Lewer
Rotorua Lakes Council	Mayor Tania Tapsell (Chair) Chief Executive Andrew Moraes
Taupō District Council	Mayor David Trewavas Chief Executive Julie Gardyne
Tauranga City Council	Mayor Mahè Drysdale Chief Executive Marty Grenfell
Western Bay of Plenty District Council	Mayor James Denyer Chief Executive John Holyoake
Whakatāne District Council	Mayor Victor Luca (Deputy Chair) Acting Chief Executive David Bewley
Quorum	N/A
Frequency	4-monthly

Triennial Agreement 2022 – 2025

The Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum is guided by the Triennial Agreement, which is entered into after each local government election as a requirement under Section 15 of the Local Government Act 2002.

The Triennial Agreement 2022-2025 was signed to by each partner council on 27 February 2023.

Recording of Meetings

Please note the Public section of this meeting is being recorded and will be uploaded Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s web site in accordance with Council's Live Streaming and Recording of Meetings Protocols which can be viewed on Council’s website. The recording will be archived and made publicly available on Council's website within two working days after the meeting on www.boprc.govt.nz for a period of three years (or as otherwise agreed to by Council).

All care is taken to maintain your privacy; however, as a visitor in the public gallery or as a participant at the meeting, your presence may be recorded. By remaining in the public gallery, it is understood your consent is given if your image is inadvertently broadcast.

Opinions expressed or statements made by individual persons during a meeting are not the opinions or statements of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Council accepts no liability for any opinions or statements made during a meeting.

Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum 16 August 2024

Recommendations in reports are not to be construed as Council policy until adopted by Council.

Agenda

1. Apologies

2. Acceptance of Late Items

3. Public Excluded Business to be Transferred into the Open

4. Minutes

4.1 Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Minutes - 3 May 2024 1

5. Presentations/Verbal Updates

5.1 Introduction and Welcome to Tauranga City Council Mayor Mahè Drysdale

Presented by: Chief Executive Marty Grenfell and Mayor Mahè Drysdale

5.2 United Nations' Decade for Healthy Aging

Presented by: Carole Gordon - Strategic Advisor to the Aotearoa New Zealand UN Decade of Healthy Ageing Forum, supported by Pauline Bennett, President of National Council of Women - Tauranga

The face of our communities is changing. "People are living longer and are more diverse” Stats NZ. 2024.

It is vital that we reframe policies to shape ecosystems and a new narrative that enables wellbeing.

The "Now and Next” session will outline the complexity of Bay of Plenty demographic trends and align key aspects of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing foundational cross sector actions necessary to ensure present and future social and economic stability and social cohesion.

5.3 Positive Money NZ: Local Water Financing Done Well

Presented by: Martin Taylor and Cliff Hall - Positivie Money NZ

A presentation regarding potential funding models for Local Water Done Well entities.

Attachment 1 - Positive Money NZ - Local Water Financing Done Well pdf 1

5.4 Update on Youth Councils Across the Bay of Plenty (Presentations/Roundtable Discussion)

Led by: Mayor Tania Tapsell - Rotorua Lakes Council

An informal discussion regarding the appetite for Youth Councils in the Bay of Plenty Region.

6. Public Excluded Section

Resolution to exclude the public

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
6.1	Public Excluded Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Minutes - 3 May 2024	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	To remain in public excluded.
6.2	Regional Infrastructure Funding	Withholding the information is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information.	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(b)(ii).	To remain in public excluded.
6.3	Bay of Plenty Waters Done Well - Update and Discussion	Withholding the information is necessary to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to members or officers or employees of any local authority, or any persons to whom section 2(5) applies, in the course of their duty..	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(f)(i).	To remain in public excluded.

Minutes to be Confirmed

6.1 Public Excluded Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Minutes - 3 May 2024

Reports

6.2 Regional Infrastructure Funding

Attachment 1 - Confidential - P1 Mayoral Forum Project Endorsement

Attachment 2 - Confidential - P1 BOP MASTER Project List

Workshop Session

6.3 Bay of Plenty Waters Done Well - Update and Discussion

7. Public Excluded Business to be Transferred into the Open

8. Readmit the Public

9. Consideration of Late Items

Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Minutes

3 May 2024

Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum

Open Minutes

Commencing: Friday 3 May 2024, 11.10 AM

Venue: Rotorua Lakes Council, Council Chambers, 1061 Haupapa Street, Rotorua

Chairperson: Mayor Tania Tapsell – Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC)

Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Chairperson Victor Luca – Whakatāne District Council (WDC)

Members: Mayor James Denyer – Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC)

Chairman Doug Leeder – Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana (BOPRC)

Mayor David Moore – Ōpōtiki District Council (ODC)

Commission Chair Anne Tolley – Tauranga City Council (TCC)

Mayor Faylene Tunui - Kawerau District Council; (KDC)

In Attendance: Staff: Stephanie O'Sullivan - Chief Executive, WDC; Fiona McTavish - Chief Executive, BOPRC; Marty Grenfell - Chief Executive, TCC; John Holyoake - Chief Executive, WBOPDC; Stace Lewer - Chief Executive, ODC; Morgan Godfery - Chief Executive, KDC; Andrew Moraes – Chief Executive, RLC; Tone Nerdrum Smith – Senior Advisor Governance

Also Present: Honourable Minister Simeon Brown (Minister of Local Government, Transport, Energy and Auckland), supported by Member of Parliament Tom Rutherford, Member of Parliament Andy Foster, and Ministerial Advisor Liam McNamara

Apologies: Mayor David Trewavas and Chief Executive Julie Gardyne (both Taupō District Council)

1. Opening

Mayor Tapsell opened the meeting and welcomed those present, in particular the Honourable Minister Simeon Brown (Minister of Local Government, Transport, Energy and Auckland), Member of Parliament Tom Rutherford and Member of Parliament Andy Foster.

This session was being recorded and the recording would be uploaded to the Bay of Plenty Toi Moana (BOPRC) website after the meeting 2024 05 03 Mayoral Forum Zoom Video Recording (youtube.com)

2. Apologies

Resolved

That the Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum:

1 Accepts the apology from Mayor David Trewavas and Julie Gardyne – Chief Executive (both Taupō District Council) tendered at the meeting.

Tunui/Tolley

CARRIED

3. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

4. Minutes

Minutes to be Confirmed

4.1

Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Minutes – 2 February 2024

Resolved

That the Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum:

1 Confirms the Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Minutes – 2 February 2024 as a true and correct record.

Tolley/Tunui

CARRIED

5. Ministerial Attendance

5.1

Attendance by the Honourable Minister Simeon Brown

In Attendance: Honourable Minister Simeon Brown (Minister of Local Government, Transport, Energy and Auckland), supported by Member of Parliament Tom Rutherford, Member of Parliament Andy Foster, and Ministerial Advisor Liam McNamara.

Key Points – Honourable Minister Simeon Brown:

· Recognised the particular challenges at the moment as councils’ were progressing their 2025-2035 Long Term Plans (LTP)

· Recognised that the change in Central Government had created unique challenges both at local and national level

· Priorities for the Government included ensuring value for money; reduce waste; and delivery of an efficient public service

· Recognised the current Government’s significantly different approach to water service delivery

· Was focussed on Local Government being provided with the tools and responsibility to provide water services, e.g. via access to required financing

· Water Service Delivery Plans legislation was set to be introduced in the middle of 2024

· Further water legislation later in 2024 would address good value and asset management

· Any city/regional deals must be framed as an enabling relationship. Was working closely with Honourable Minister Chris Bishop (Infrastructure) on ways to deliver optimal deals/priorities/tools

· Recognised the differing views with regards to the decision to repeal the legislation that enabled councils to make the decision to establish Māori Wards

· Intended to extend the Government Policy Statement (GPS) from the current three yearly review to 10 years

· Clear priorities within the GPS on Land Transport included safety, resilience and future proofing

· Government was working through significant changes in funding towards roading/transport networks, e.g. introduction of additional tools to create and maintain infrastructure.

In Response to Questions:

· Although all the various financing tools/levers relevant to local government did not sit within his portfolio, he recognised the value of tools such as removing GST on new builds to enable increased/faster supply of housing

· Development of necessary transport infrastructure could be curtailed if councils relied solely on New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for funding, hence it was important to review this tool against other potential avenues

· Time-of-use charges, i.e. congestion charging, could be valuable

· Was working closely with local councils in the establishment of the new water entities/CCOs, which impacted the on vs off balance sheet debt councils could carry

· Sought to give councils the independence to choose the best funding options/tools for their particular city/district/region

· Central Government was committed to lending $1b per annum to NZTA towards transport infrastructure

· Was at this stage not considering rolling over councils’ existing water take consents, rather, wanted to ensure any investments were done in the most cost effective way possible

· Noted some instances where water infrastructure investments by local councils were over and above the legal requirement, which represented an unnecessarily high cost to ratepayers

· Sought increased standardisation to water services, rather than the current bespoke approach which increased costs, including at a governance/management level

· Recognised that ‘everyone had to pay somehow’, but providing financing tools to spread the cost over a longer period time was being investigated

· Balance sheet separation within the Local Water Done Well discussions was essential and encouraged councils to have these conversations now

· Economic regulations would focus on efficiencies, with work currently being undertaken at Central Government level that was intended to be passed into legislation in 2025

· Noted the comparison with the Electricity Board regarding efficiencies in service delivery

· Recognised that infrastructure funding demands would traditionally exceed what was available

· Ringfencing funding towards infrastructure maintenance was recognised as a key aspect

· Public transport service and infrastructure: Expected a higher level of private contribution, i.e. advertising opportunities, while maximising other funding streams. Value for money/outcomes would always be the key considerations

· Recognised that transport maintenance, e.g. road management represented a significant cost to councils and encouraged pursuing increased efficiencies

· Recognised that District Plans could limit evening/night infrastructure work and that this could prolong roading projects

· CCOs enabled councils to borrow from Central Government, but the entities’ credit ratings impacted on the interest rate offered. Councils would accordingly have to consider the debt they were willing to take on/able to service

· Recognised that changing standards represented a risk of increased costs, e.g. if requesting an improved quality in discharged wastewater

· Differing policies between councils regarding wastewater discharge to land vs water had made standardisation challenging for Central Government

· Would not mandate practises that increased costs to councils unless it significantly contributed to better/required outcomes

· Recognised the priority of effective roading connections between Waikato and Tauranga for export purposes/access to the Port of Tauranga. This was supported by the Roads of National/Regional Significance programme

· Sought to extend coastal resource consents to enable operators e.g. ports, to continue their operations without having to seek frequent renewals at high costs

· There was a vast number of components involved with obtaining a resource consent, which made the process time-consuming and expensive. Central Government was seeking to address this through the one-stop-shop approach of the Fast Track legislation.

Key Points - Members:

· ‘Debt was debt’, irrespective of whether on or off a Council’s balance sheet

· Queried if, considering the current reviews of the Regional Transport Plans, combined with the current prioritisation within the Roads of National Significance programme, there was sufficient funding available overall to deliver the intended outcomes

· National efficiencies were driven by exporting practices overseas, and Central Government should prioritise international transport in its strategic thinking

· Noted that the Port of Tauranga was New Zealand’s main export port, compared to other ports, e.g. Auckland, that were mainly focussed on imports

· Concerned regarding the changes in legislation to Māori Wards, and the impact on local communities where engagement was a significant challenge

· Supported and respected the encouragement to offer more financing tools, however sought recognition that ‘everything’ could not be done at once.

12.21 pm – the meeting adjourned,

1.10 pm – the meeting reconvened.

6. 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:

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
6.1	Public Excluded Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum Minutes - 2 February 2024	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	As noted in the relevant Minutes.	To remain in public excluded.
6.2	Workshop Session - Local Water Done Well	Withholding the information is necessary to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to members or officers or employees of any local authority, or any persons to whom section 2(5) applies, in the course of their duty.	48(1)(a)(i) Section 7 (2)(f)(i).	To remain in public excluded.

2 That Vaughan Payne - Kāhu Manawa be permitted to stay in the public excluded section of the meeting due to his knowledge of the matter under discussion, being: Workshop Session - Local Water Done Well.

Luca/Moore

CARRIED

7. Closing Karakia

A karakia was provided by Mayor Tania Tapsell.

2.42 pm – the meeting closed.

Confirmed

Mayor Tania Tapsell

Chairperson, Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum