RESOLVED

THAT the apology of His Worship the Mayor B J Morrison be received and sustained.

PF02/73 Laurich/Munro CARRIED

Pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Chairman called for late items to be accepted.

RESOLVED

THAT pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the following late items be accepted for discussion.

- Request for Funding Doctors Support Group in Waihi

The item was not on the agenda because information had become available after the agenda deadline.

Discussion on the item could not be delayed because consideration needed to be given to the matter before the next meeting.

PF02/74 Hayden/Tregidga CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Finance Committee held on Thursday 16 May 2002 be taken as read and confirmed.

PF02/75 Gordon/Laurich CARRIED

There were no matters arising.

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.

PF02/76 Munro/Tregidga CARRIED

The Community Services Manager advised that the owner of a small parcel of land situated across the Ohinemuri River from the Karangahake Reserve had contacted Council offering the land into Council’s ownership.

Attached to the report was a plan showing the location of the land parcel, which lays adjacent to land, administered to by the Department of Conservation.

RESOLVED

THAT the offer made by the occupier of Pt Sec 10 Blk 1 Aroha SD (Val ref 05080/433.00) be declined and that it be suggested to the land occupier they might consider transferring the land back to the Crown for administration by the Department of Conservation.

PF02/77 Munro/Tregidga CARRIED

The Community Services Manager advised that staff had met with its risk management advisers last month to discuss the issues and requirements for the renewal of Council’s cover for 2002/03. Indications were that premiums would increase marginally, less than 20%. The excess would increase to $2500 (less than the expected $5,000) this was the minimum excess the company would offer.

There was concern regarding the effect the increase may have on the smaller community halls. The halls involved would be informed of the increase in premiums.

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 May 2002 and financial statements for the 10 months ended 30 April 2002 were attached for members’ consideration.

A payments listing for the month of May 2002 was tabled at the meeting for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the report on the operations of the Corporate Services Department for May 2002 and the interim financial reports for the 10 months ended 30 April 2002 be received.

PF02/78 Hayden/Tregidga CARRIED

Reports of the matters dealt with by way of delegation from the period 1 May 2002 were attached separately for the Committee’s information.

RESOLVED

THAT the reports of delegated matters be received.

PF02/79 Laurich/Gordon 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 attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

PF02/80 Lockwood/Munro CARRIED

The Planning & Environmental Services Manager advised that the Draft Risk Assessment report would be presented to Council in July 2002 not June as previously expected.

Cr Carmine gave a brief overview on the workshop she had attended run by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as part of the NZ Climate Change Project.

A proposed plan change for the industrial zones in the district was expected to be presented to this Committee in July. Final consultation was currently underway with current industrial landowners.

There was some confusion over this matter and clarification was sought.

The Planning & Environmental Services Manager advised that discussions on this were held two years ago and he would clarify the issue at Council. It was suggested that a one hour presentation be given after the June Council meeting.

Attached was a report from the Corporate Services Manager on Broadband.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

PF02/81 Lockwood/Laurich CARRIED

The Corporate Services Manager gave an update on Broadband – high-speed internet access.

RESOLVED

THAT Council identify interest within the business communities of Ngatea and Waihi to commit to connecting to Telecom’s Jetstream service

AND THAT Council to monitor developments within the Education sector to determine the likely timing of the rollout of broadband to the Hauraki District further to the announcements made in the 2002 Budget.

PF02/82 Tregidga/Hayden CARRIED

Included separately with the agenda was a copy of the Hauraki Gulf Forum Strategic Issues document and a covering introduction to the document.

As set out in B.1.5.2 of the covering document approval of this DRAFT was sought along with consideration and advice on prioritised actions.

Rosalind Wilton attended the meeting at 2.30 pm to make a presentation on the document.

Ms van Steenbergen gave an overview on the document and Ms Wilton gave an overhead presentation on issues within in the document.

It was suggested that staff gather more information for discussion at the next meeting.

A report was circulated prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

PF02/83 Lockwood/Laurich CARRIED

The Corporate Services Manger briefed member on the impact of the Rating Powers (Special Provision for Certain Rates for Educational Establishments) Amendment Act 2001.

Some schools would be facing considerable increases while a few would actually have a decrease. Council would need to communicate with each school to show them the effect of the new legislation.

Some examples were given.

Attached was a report from the Community Liaison Officer on the allocation of Creative New Zealand Creative Communities Scheme 2001/02 second funding round.

RESOLVED

THAT the report on the allocation of Creative New Zealand Creative Communities scheme by the Hauraki Assessment Committee for round two of the 2001/02 year, be received.

PF02/84 Gordon/Hayden CARRIED

Attached was a report from the Community Liaison Officer on the Hillary Commission Community Sports Fund 2002/03 funding round allocation.

RESOLVED

THAT the report on the allocation of Hillary Commission Community Sport Fund by the Hauraki District Assessment Committee for the 2002/03 year, be received.

PF02/85 Munro/Laurich CARRIED

Attached was a report from the Economic Development Officer regarding hosting teaching fellowship proposal.

Shane Chivers who is currently teaching technology at Hauraki Plains College had decided to apply for a Teaching Fellowship in the fields of Science, Mathematics and Technology for the Royal New Zealand Society.

It was noted that no cash contribution was required from Council.

Mr Hale advised that the Principal of the Hauraki Plains College was in full support of the proposal.

RESOLVED

THAT Council agree to host Shane Chivers of Hauraki Plains College for a Royal Society of NZ Teaching Fellowship Scheme.

PF02/86 Hayden/Munro CARRIED

Attached was a report from the Economic Development Officer regarding a request from the Victoria Battery Tramway Society to assist them with the relocation of the former Athenree Railway Station from its present site at Waihi Beach to their site at Waikino.

The following options were put to Council for their consideration:

Option 1 – Provide a grant of $7651 plus GST to VBTS

Option 2 – Provide bridging finance of $7651 plus GST for a period of six months

Option 3 – Provide written support to VBTS to apply to Lotteries together with Option 2

Option 4 – Provide up to $5,000 plus GST to meet any shortfall from a lottery application.

After discussion members agreed that to support the proposal in principle subject to finance.

RESOLVED

THAT the request be supported in principle subject to finance for the overall project.

PF02/87 Tregidga/Gordon CARRIED

LATE ITEMS

Cr Hayden advised that there was concern regarding Doctor shortages in rural towns. The problem of trying to attract doctors to rural areas was being experienced throughout the country and was also a problem in Waihi.

Cr Hayden explained that a group had been formed in Waihi to set up a support package to help doctors relocating there. Support was being sought from Health Bodies, community groups, major industries and service clubs. Support from Council was also being sought.

The Community need was understood, but it was unsure whether this was an area that local authorities should be funding. More information was required along with clarification from Central Government.

Cr Tregidga left the meeting at 4.00 pm.

After discussion members agreed to support the proposal in principle.

RESOLVED

THAT Council supports in principal the community’s initiative to bring doctors to our rural areas.

PF02/88 Hayden/Munro CARRIED

The meeting closed at 4.05 pm.

CONFIRMED

M Carmine

July 2002