There were no apologies.

Pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Chairman called for late items to be accepted. There were none.

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Finance Committee held on Thursday 8 February 2001 be taken as read and confirmed.

PF01/19 Gordon/Munro CARRIED

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

COMMUNITY SERVICES MANAGER MONTHLY REPORT (01.012.022)

The Community Services Manager’s monthly report was attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

PF01/20 Laurich/Hayden CARRIED

The Community Services Manager advised that a letter had been received from the College Board of Trustees advising that they were very keen to pursue the purchase of the Council land on offer.

It was agreed not to proceed with the surplus land development on King Street, Paeroa for the moment.

The Community Services Manager advised that an approach had been made from the Thames Energy Futures Trust, which is an organisation that had installed insulation devices into the Pensioner Flats in Thames and other institutions.

It was proposed to insulate the Railway Street unit at a cost of $7550 plus GST, which included insulation of ceiling, under floor and water cylinder, and energy efficient light bulbs.

Members were in favour of the proposal in principle but there was concern that competitive pricing should be sought.

RESOLVED

THAT Council takes advantage of the opportunity to insulate the Railway Street Flats and that the application of insulation to other units waits on the outcome of the Railway Street trial and that the Funding for the insulation comes from the Paeroa Pensioner Flat Improvement Special Fund

AND THAT staff seek a competitive price.

PF01/21 Hayden/Laurich CARRIED

The Community Services Manager requested Council’s approval to write off a large sum of outstanding rates attaching to a Coronation Street, Paeroa Property that Council had recently obtained ownership of.

RESOLVED

THAT the rates levied against Lot 11 at 20 Coronation Street Paeroa; val reference 05001/053.00 amounting to $12,956.55 be written off.

PF01/22 Morrison/Munro CARRIED

CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT (01.012.024)

The Corporate Services Manager’s report on the operations of the Corporate Services Department for the month of February 2001 and financial statements for the 7 months ended 31 January 2001 was attached.

A payments listing for the month of February 2001 was tabled at the meeting for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the report on the operations of the Corporate Services Department for February 2001 and the

Interim financial reports for the 7 months ended 31 January 2001 be received.

PF01/23 Morrison/Laurich CARRIED

The Corporate Services Manager advised that a GST review had been conducted to determine any changes that may be required to software and/or procedures by 1 July 2001. From this date Council would be required to account for GST on the invoice basis.

Attached was a letter from the Waikato Regional Sports and Events Centre Trust Board requesting an opportunity to visit and update the Council on the Twin Stadium Development.

Mr D Braithwaite (Chairman of the Waikato Regional Sports and Events Centre Committee) and Mr A MacDonald (Mayor Waikato District Council) attended the meeting at 2.00 pm and gave an update on the Waikato Regional Sports and Events Centre.

Mr Braithwaite advised that two facilities (Westpac Trust Park and Rugby Park) were currently being upgraded. The total value of both sites was $28.5 million dollars, project underway, completed first week of August.

Funding and support was now being sought from local authorities.

Initially when the first proposal was put forward Council had committed $100,000 over three years. During the estimates meeting held recently $100,00 had been set aside toward the Draft Annual Plan process, for presentation to the public. The facility would be a regional one.

After discussion the Committee agreed to support the proposal.

RESOLVED

THAT it be recommended to Council that the intention to support the Stadium project remains in the draft annual plan for public submission.

PF01/24 Morrison/Munro CARRIED

Reports of the matters dealt with by way of delegation from the period 1 January 2001 and the 1 February 2001 were attached separately for the Committee’s information.

RESOLVED

THAT the reports of delegated matters be received.

PF01/25 Hayden/Morrison CARRIED

The Planning and Environmental Services Manager had reported on the recent activities of the Planning and Environmental Services Department.

The report, which included details on both the Consents and Monitoring Divisions, was tabled at the meeting.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

PF01/26 Tregidga/Hayden CARRIED

The Planning & Environmental Services Manager updated the Committee on consultation undertaken with Councils legal advisors in reviewing the situation as resolved by Council for the security of costs being sought in respect to the High Court Appeal.

The appeal had been reviewed including the decision and the actions of the appellants. As a consequence of that review instructions had been given to Council advisors to lodge a request for costs in respect to the second hearing of the Environment Court.

RESOLVED

THAT the Planning & Environmental Services Managers actions in seeking costs in respect to the

H G Leach & Co Environment Court appeals be confirmed.

PF01/27 Morrison/Tregidga CARRIED

A presentation from Mr Jim Archibald on the Regional Development Initiative was made to the Committee.

The meeting adjourned to the Hauraki Room at 2.45 pm.

The meeting adjourned and reconvened in the Council Chambers at 3.35 pm.

Attached was a letter from John Keall congratulating the Council on the recent reserve upgrade.

RESOLVED

THAT the letter be received.

PF01/28 Hayden/Gordon CARRIED

Attached was a report from the General Manager regard the visit to Jiading, Shanghai in China.

The General Manager advised that at the Council meeting on 25 January 2001 the Council resolved that the Mayor, Chairman of the Planning and Finance Committee and the General Manager visit the City of Jiading in April 2001 subject to approval of the itinerary and finance arrangements.

The proposed itinerary for the visit and the financial arrangements were presented.

RESOLVED

THAT the proposed itinerary and financial arrangements for the visit to Jiading be approved.

PF01/29 Hayden/Tregidga CARRIED

LATE ITEMS

There were no late items.

It was noted that after review of the following Confidential Item it had been decided that it would be discussed in public forum.

Attached was a report from the Community Services Manager regarding the Grand Junction No 3 Mine Shaft in Roycroft Street, Waihi. This matter was originally intended to be discussed in committee but considering the public exposure to date it would be discussed in open council.

Cr Lockwood advised that he was a member of the family.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

PF01/30 Morrison/Laurich CARRIED

The Community Services Manager advised that this subject had recently appeared in a local Waihi newspaper. The subject related to a residential subdivision development in Roycroft Street, Waihi on a property that accommodates the old Grand Junction No 3 mineshaft. Resource Management Act consent had been granted to the developer by Council 1992 subject to information provided by the developer and expert advisers. The shaft is unfilled and capped.

His Worship commented that this matter had been brought to his attention as a result of an approach from Mr & Mrs Warburton through the office of the Mayor. Senior Managers and staff had been made aware of the situation.

The main issue was to investigate and identify what the feature was.

Permission from Mrs Reidy and her family was being waited upon before an investigation could take place, as this was private property.

Staff would continue progressing the matter.

The meeting closed at 4.10 pm.

D M Carmine

April 2001