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Joint Regional Economic Development Committee Friday 30 July 2021 at 10.00am
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Joint Regional Economic Development Committee Friday 30 July 2021 at 10.00am
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Joint Regional Economic Development Committee
30 July 2021
Joint Regional Economic Development Committee Agenda
Meeting to be held in the the Council Chamber
36 Water Street, Whangārei
on Friday 30 July 2021, commencing at 10.00am
Recommendations contained in the agenda are NOT decisions of the meeting. Please refer to minutes for resolutions.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE Joint Regional Economic Development Committee
Chairperson, Councillor Justin Blaikie
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Councillor Terry Archer |
Councillor Anna Curnow |
Councillor David Clendon |
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Councillor John Vujcich |
Councillor Peter Wethey |
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RĪMITI (Item) Page
1.0 Ngā Mahi Whakapai/Housekeeping
2.0 Ngā Whakapahā/apologies
3.0 Ngā Whakapuakanga/declarations of conflicts of interest
4.1 Election of Chair 3
4.2 Election of Deputy Chair 8
4.3 Northland Inc Limited: Statement of Intent 2021-2024 10
4.4 Policy on the appointment of directors to Northland Inc. Limited 46
4.5 Investment and Growth Reserve: Funding available for 2021/22 52
4.6 Annual Work Plan 2021/22 58
Joint Regional Economic Development Committee item: 4.1
30 July 2021
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TITLE: |
Election of Chair |
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ID: |
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From: |
Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist |
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Authorised by Group Manager: |
Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement, on 22 July 2021 |
Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga
The purpose of this report is to elect the Chair of the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee (Joint Committee). The Chair is to be elected at the first meeting of the Joint Committee according to System A of clause 25 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002.
As the Chief Executive Officer’s nominee, the Strategy, Governance and Engagement Group Manager of the administrating council (being Northland Regional Council) will call for nominations for election to the office of Chair. Once elected, the Chair will assume the chair from the Group Manager and preside over the remainder of the meeting.
1. That the report ‘Election of Chair’ by Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist and dated 7 July 2021, be received.
2. That in the event more than one nomination for Chair is received, “System A” as specified in Clause 25 of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Act, be used for the election of the Chair.
3. That ………………. be appointed as Chair of the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee.
Considerations
1. Significance and engagement
2. Policy, risk management and legislative compliance
Being a purely administrative matter, Environment, Community Views, Māori Impact Statement, Financial Implications, and Implementation Issues are not applicable.
Background/Tuhinga
The appointment of the Chair at the inaugural meeting of the Joint Committee will provide appropriate leadership of the Joint Committee and support the delivery of its functions. A key role of the Chair will be to ensure that all activities undertaken by the Joint Committee maximise as far as possible achievement of the strategic objectives.
The Terms of Reference of the Joint Committee (Attachment 1), under the Section “Committee Chair and Deputy Chair” specify that the Chair is to be elected by members at the first meeting of the Joint Committee according to System A of Clause 25 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002. The Terms of Reference also specifies that the inaugural Chair of the committee must be an elected member from NRC. This will be reviewed by the Joint Committee following the triennial elections in 2022. Therefore, the first meeting of the Joint Committee will be chaired by the Strategy, Governance and Engagement Group Manager until a Chair has been elected.
System A
(a) Requires that a person is elected or appointed if he or she receives the votes of a majority of the members of the Joint Committee present and voting; and
(b) Has the following characteristics:
(i) There is a first round of voting for all candidates; and
(ii) If no candidate is successful in that round there is a second round of voting from which the candidate with the fewest votes in the first round is excluded; and
(iii) If no candidate is successful in the second round there is a third; and if necessary, a subsequence round of voting from which, each time, the candidate with the fewest votes in the previous round is excluded; and
(iv) In any round of voting, if two or more candidates tie for the lowest number of votes, the person excluded from the next round is resolved by lot.
Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga
Attachment 1: Joint Regional Economic
Development - Terms of Reference ⇩ 
30 July 2021
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TITLE: |
Election of Deputy Chair |
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From: |
Darryl Jones, Economist and Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor |
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Authorised by Group Manager/s: |
Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement, on 22 July 2021 |
Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga
The purpose of this report is to elect the Deputy Chair of the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee (Joint Committee). The Deputy Chair is to be elected at the first meeting of the Joint Committee according to System A of clause 25 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002. The Chair of the Joint Committee will call for nominations for election to the office of Deputy Chair.
1. That the report ‘Election of Deputy Chair’ by Darryl Jones, Economist and Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and dated 21 July 2021, be received.
2. That in the event more than one nomination for Deputy Chair is received, “System A” as specified in Clause 25 of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Act, be used for the election of the Deputy Chair.
3. That ………………. be appointed as Deputy Chair of the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee.
Considerations
1. Significance and engagement
Joint Committees must elect a Deputy Chair as part of normal practice and therefore in relation to Section 30 of the Local Government Act 2002, this issue is considered to be of low significance.
2. Policy, risk management and legislative compliance
This report is submitted for consideration by the Joint Committee pursuant to the statutory requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 and is therefore considered to be of low risk and compliant with legislative requirements.
Being a purely administrative matter, Environment, Community Views, Māori Impact Statement, Financial Implications, and Implementation Issues are not applicable.
Background/Tuhinga
The Joint Committee is comprised of elected members from the Far North District Council (FNDC), Kaipara District Council (KDC) and Northland Regional Council (NRC). The Committee is a joint standing committee of council as provided for under Clause 30(1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002 and shall operate in accordance with the provisions of Clause 30A of the Act. The Joint Committee is required to appoint a Deputy Chair.
The Terms of Reference of the Joint Committee, under the Section “Committee Chair and Deputy Chair” specify that the Deputy Chair is to be elected by members at the first inaugural meeting of the Joint Committee according to System A of Clause 25 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002. A description of System A of the Clause 25 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002 is provided below:
System A
(a) Requires that a person is elected or appointed if he or she receives the votes of a majority of the members of the Joint Committee present and voting; and
(b) Has the following characteristics:
(i) There is a first round of voting for all candidates; and
(ii) If no candidate is successful in that round there is a second round of voting from which the candidate with the fewest votes in the first round is excluded; and
(iii) If no candidate is successful in the second round there is a third; and if necessary, a subsequence round of voting from which, each time, the candidate with the fewest votes in the previous round is excluded; and
(iv) In any round of voting, if two or more candidates tie for the lowest number of votes, the person excluded from the next round is resolved by lot.
Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga
Joint Regional Economic Development Committee item: 4.3
30 July 2021
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TITLE: |
Northland Inc Limited: Statement of Intent 2021-2024 |
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ID: |
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From: |
Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist |
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Authorised by Group Manager: |
Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement, on 23 July 2021 |
Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga
The purpose of this report is to present the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee (Joint Committee) with Northland Inc Limited’s (Northland Inc) final Statement of Intent (SOI) for 2021-2024. The Northland Inc board has chosen to incorporate almost all the changes and additions suggested by Northland Regional Council (NRC) in its shareholder comment. In preparing the shareholder comment, NRC sought input from the Regional Economic Development Service Delivery Working Party (Working Party) and the Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) Economic Development Sub-group.
Under section 65(2) of the Local Government Act (LGA) 2002 the Joint Committee must agree to Northland Inc’s SOI, or if it does not agree take steps to require the SOI to be modified. Staff recommend that the Joint Committee agree to the SOI 2021-2024 as attached (Attachment 1).
1. That the report ‘Northland Inc Limited: Statement of Intent 2021-2024’ by Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist and dated 7 July 2021, be received.
2. That the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee agree to Northland Inc Limited’s Statement of Intent 2021-2024 as set out in Attachment 1 pertaining to item X of the 30 July 2020 Joint Committee agenda.
Options
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No. |
Option |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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1 |
Agree to Northland Inc’s SOI 2021-2024 as set out in Attachment 1. |
Allows Northland Inc to begin operating in 2021/22 without uncertainty. |
Do not get all the changes requested by council incorporated into the SOI 2021-2024. |
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2 |
Not agree to Northland Inc’s SOI 2021-2024 as set out in Attachment 1 and formally request additional modifications. |
Get further changes requested by council incorporated into the SOI 2021-2024. |
Creates unnecessary antagonism with Northland Inc given that council requests to date have either been incorporated within the SOI 2021-2024 or answered separately. |
The staff’s recommended option is Option 1, that the Joint Committee agree to the SOI 2021-2024 received from Northland Inc as set out in Attachment 1. Northland Inc has chosen to incorporate council’s comments into the final SOI 2021-2024 or have provided a response to those not incorporated.
Considerations
1. Environmental Impact
This decision does not have any environmental risks or negative impacts. Northland Inc’s draft SOI 2021-2024 incorporates a new organisational objective on environmental sustainability and includes related references in the Activity and Key Performance Indicators sections. Northland Inc intend to assist the region’s transition to a zero carbon and low emission economy by partnering to provide support and embedding environmental sustainability criteria within all active projects.
2. Community views
Although NRC’s proposed Long Term Plan 2021-2031 consultation document outlined the policies, objectives and Key Performance Indicators for Northland Inc, the community have not been specifically consulted with regard to the SOI. NRC has received ongoing support for providing regional economic development services through Northland Inc. Both Far North and Kaipara district councils consulted on the joint delivery model proposal as part of their respective Long Term Plan 2021-2023 consultation process, including becoming joint owners of Northland Inc. Both FNDC and KDC received responses in favour and against the proposal, but both councils agreed in their deliberation to participate in the joint ownership of Northland Inc.
3. Māori impact statement
The Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party (TTMAC) Economic Sub-group was provided an opportunity to discuss and provide comment on the draft SOI on two occasions: 10 March and 6 April 2021. Comments from the Sub-group were presented to NRC and incorporated into the shareholder comment sent to Northland Inc.
Northland Inc’s SOI 2021-2024 places larger focus on strategic partnerships in the Māori Economic Development space to drive delivery on high impact Māori economic development projects across all levels. Within the latest SOI, Northland Inc seek to implement their “He Korowai Manawanui” pathway, a two-year programme working on their organisational culture towards elevating the importance of Māori Economic Development and becoming a better partner for Māori with a genuine understanding of Tikanga and Te Ao Māori. Northland Inc respect and implement the principals of the Te Tiriti O Waitangi, which support meaningful partnerships with Māori.
4. Financial implications
There are no financial implications associated with this decision. The annual operational funding levels to be provided to Northland Inc as set out in the SOI, i.e. $1,636,744 (excl GST) in 2021/22, are allocated from NRC’s Investment and Growth Reserve (IGR), and are provided for in council’s Long Term Plan 2021-2031. The annual quantum is paid on a quarterly basis on receipt of an invoice from Northland Inc.
In addition to operational funding, the criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from the IGR provides the board of Northland Inc with the delegated ability to allocate up to $300,000 per annum under for Project Development category (referenced as “NRC Feasibility/Ngawha” in the SOI). Northland Inc also receives IGR Enabling Investment funding for projects that it is responsible for delivering. As set out in the SOI, it is currently receiving funding for only one such project, Extension 350. This is a six-year programme with $32,600 being provided in 2021/22 being the sixth and final annual allocation (total allocation of $832,600). Funding for any future project allocations under the Enabling Investment category will be made by specific Joint Committee decision in line with the IGR criteria.
5. Implementation issues
Northland Inc is responsible for implementing its SOI. The Joint Committee does not provide any direction to Northland Inc on how its operational funding is spent across the work programmes. It is up to the board of Northland Inc to prioritise the allocation of its operation funding across the work programmes. The Joint Committee receives a report each quarter from Northland Inc on progress made in achieving the performance measure targets.
6. Significance and engagement
In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance when assessed against council’s Significance and Engagement Policy because it has previously been consulted on and provided for in councils’ Long Term Plans 2021-2031 and previous decisions of council to set up Northland Inc Limited as a joint council controlled organisation. This does not mean that this matter is not of significance to tangata whenau and/or individual communities, but that the Joint Committee can make decisions relating to this matter without undertaking further consultation or engagement.
7. Policy, risk management and legislative compliance
The decision is consistent with policy and legislative requirements, and no significant corporate risks are identified under the Risk Management Policy.
Background/Tuhinga
In March 2021, Northland Inc provided a draft SOI for the three-year period 2021-2023 for NRC’s consideration based on NRC’s letter of expectations sent on 15 December 2020 (Attachment 3). Northland Inc’s draft SOI 2021-2024 was received within the time requirement set out in Schedule 8 of the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA 2002), i.e. before 1 April 2021. The draft SOI 2021-2024 was then reviewed by NRC, who sought further advice on the draft SOI from the Regional Economic Development Service Delivery Working Party and Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party Economic Development Sub-Group. The draft SOI was formally received at the NRC council meeting on 20 April where NRC agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair, to provide feedback to Northland Inc on the draft in line with the recommendations in the report. NRC’s shareholder comment was sent to Northland Inc on 30 April 2020 (Attachment 2).
A further opportunity to discuss the SOI was provided at the quarterly council/Northland Inc workshop held on 22 June. Following the 22 June workshop, council received a Northland Inc board approved final version of the SOI 2021–2024 (Attachment 1) on 30 June 2020 along with a cover letter (Attachment 4), within the deadline required by Schedule 8(3) of the Local Government Act 2002, i.e. before 1 July 2021.
Staff have reviewed the SOI and confirm that it complies with the requirements of Schedule 8 of the LGA 2002. Staff have also reviewed the final SOI against the shareholder comments provided by NRC. All the questions, changes and additions suggested by NRC have either been taken on board and incorporated into the final SOI or have been answered. An analysis of Northland Inc’s response to the shareholder comments is included in Attachment 5.
As of 1 July 2021, Northland Inc constitutes a joint council-controlled organisation (CCO) equally owned by Northland Regional Council, Far North District Council and Kaipara District Council. Along with the move to joint ownership of Northland Inc, the Joint Committee was established with the purpose to oversee and support Northland Inc as a CCO. Therefore, the Joint Committee is responsible for approving Northland Inc’s final SOI 2021-2024, with only one decision required rather than three separate council decisions.
If the Joint Committee does not agree to Northland Inc’s final SOI 2021-2024, it is then required to take practicable steps to make a modification to the SOI. Under clause 5 of Schedule 8, the shareholders of a council-controlled organisation may, by resolution, require the board to modify the SOI by including or omitting any provision or provisions of the kind referred to in clause 9(1)(a) to (i), and any board to whom notice of the resolution is given must comply with the resolution.
Northland Inc representatives will attend the Joint Committee meeting.
Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga
Attachment 1:
Northland Inc Limited Statement of Intent 2021-2024 ⇩ 
Attachment 2:
Shareholder Comment to Northland Inc 30 April 2021 ⇩
Attachment 3:
Letter of Expectations to Northland Inc - 15 December 2021 ⇩
Attachment 4:
Cover Letter accompanying Northland Inc's final SOI - 30 June 2021 ⇩ 
Attachment 5: Northland Inc's response
to NRC's Shareholder Comment ⇩ 
30 July 2021
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TITLE: |
Policy on the appointment of directors to Northland Inc. Limited |
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ID: |
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From: |
Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist |
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Authorised by Group Manager: |
Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement, on 22 July 2021 |
Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga
The purpose of this report is to initiate the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee’s (Joint Committee) participation in the process of appointing directors to the board of Northland Inc. Limited (Northland Inc). The Joint Committee is responsible for adopting a policy regarding the identification and consideration of the skills, knowledge and experience required, the appointment of directors, and directors’ remuneration. Staff recommend that the Policy on the appointment of directors to Northland Inc. Limited set out in Attachment 1 be adopted. This policy is in-line with the policy on the appointment of directors to council organisations prepared by Northland Regional Council (NRC) and which the Regional Economic Development Service Delivery Working Party followed when making recommendations to NRC earlier this year on the appointment of four directors for terms commencing 1 July 2021.
1. That the report ‘Policy on the appointment of directors to Northland Inc. Limited’ by Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist and dated 13 July 2021, be received.
2. That the Policy on the appointment of directors to Northland Inc. Limited (Attachment 1) be adopted by the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee.
Options
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No. |
Option |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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1 |
Adopt the Policy on the appointment of directors to Northland Inc. |
Meets councils’ legislative requirements. Clear and transparent policy publicly available. Enables the Joint Committee to appoint directors. |
None. |
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2 |
Do not adopt the Policy on the appointment of directors to Northland Inc. |
None. |
Delays the Joint Committee’s ability to appoint directors to Northland Inc. |
The staff’s recommended option is Option 1.
Considerations
1. Significance and engagement
In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance when assessed against council’s Significance and Engagement Policy because it is part of council’s day to day legislative obligations.
2. Policy, risk management and legislative compliance
The policy on the appointment of directors to council organisations meets the requirements of section 57 of the Local Government Act 2002.
This policy is consistent with all relevant legislative requirements.
Being a purely administrative matter, Environment, Community Views, Maori Impact Statement, Financial Implications, and Implementation issues are not applicable.
Background/Tuhinga
As of 1 July 2021, Northland Inc constitutes a joint council-controlled organisation (CCO) equally owned by Far North District Council (FNDC), Kaipara District Council (KDC) and NRC. The Joint Committee has been established as a joint standing committee of the three councils. One of the Joint Committee’s key functions is to undertake the process of appointing directors to the board of Northland Inc.
Section 57(1) of the Local Government Act (LGA) 2002 requires local authority to adopt a policy that sets out an objective and transparent process for:
a) the identification and consideration of the skills, knowledge, and experience required of directors of a council organisation; and
b) the appointment of directors to a council organisation; and
c) the remuneration of directors of a council organisation.
The Joint Committee has the delegation to adopt such a policy in accordance with the Joint Committee’s terms of reference.
Since Northland Inc is jointly and equally owned by the three councils it makes sense to have a common policy for the appointment of directors to Northland Inc. NRC’s policy on the appointment of directors to council organisations in general has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the LGA 2002. It was also the policy followed by the Regional Economic Development Service Delivery Working Party when it made recommendations to NRC on the appointment of four directors to Northland Inc for terms commencing 1 July 2021.
Staff have therefore developed a specific Policy for the appointment of directors to Northland Inc in-line with NRC’s policy, i.e. it makes specific reference to Northland Inc as the organisation and the Joint Committee as the decision making body. This is provided as Attachment 1.
Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga
Attachment 1: Policy on the appointment
of directors to Northland Inc ⇩ 
30 July 2021
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TITLE: |
Investment and Growth Reserve: Funding available for 2021/22 |
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ID: |
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From: |
Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist |
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Authorised by Group Manager: |
Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement, on 23 July 2021 |
Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary
The purpose of this paper is to inform the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee (Joint Committee) on matters relating to the allocation of funding from Investment and Growth Reserve (IGR). The latest version of the criteria and procedures for allocation of funding from the IGR, version 5, adopted by Northland Regional Council (NRC) on 22 June 2021 is provided as Attachment 1.
That the report ‘Investment and Growth Reserve: Funding available for 2021/22’ by Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist and dated 8 July 2021, be received.
Background/Tuhinga
The following table sets out the forecast cashflow balances of the IGR for 2020/21 and the next three years. The final closing balance for 2020/21 (opening balance for 2021/22) is still to be determined as part of NRC’s end of year financial accounting. However, the closing balance is likely to be slightly higher than set out in the table.
The forecast cashflow revenue include the funding commitments to the IGR made by the Far North and Kaipara district councils. A portion ($422k) of NRC's 2021/22 funding commitment of $1.851 million was transferred into the IGR in 2020/21. While this makes the actual opening balance of the IGR for 2021/22 $422k higher and the actual NRC contribution into the IGR in 2021/22 $422k lower than that shown in the table, the forecast cashflow closing balance of the IGR for 2021/22 remains as shown.
In addition to the existing funding commitments to the IGR made by councils, NRC also has the ability under its Long Term Plan 2021-2031 to make additional contributions into the IGR from its Economic Development Reserve (EDR) on a case-by-case basis provided the balance of the EDR does not fall below $13.5 million. NRC has only ever done this for one project: the support provided for the Manea Footprints of Kupe project (total value of $0.5 million). The Joint Committee will need to make a recommendation to NRC if it wishes to access this funding option. The 2020/21 forecast closing balance of the EDR is $16.5 million.
Allocations from the IGR must fit one of the three funding categories.
(a) Operational expenditure funding for Northland Inc. Limited – The forecast cashflow is based on the budgeted operational funding as set out in Northland Inc’s final Statement of Intent 2021-2024 received at the end of June 2021.
(b) Project Development funding – The forecast cashflow is based on the total budget of $300k being spent every year on Project Development. The board of Northland Inc is responsible for allocating funding from this IGR category except for allocations with a value over $100,000 which requires Joint Committee approval. No individual Project Development funding allocation has ever been for more than $100,000, with an average value of $31,000 per project over the past five years.
The money associated with Project Development funding remains in the IGR until it is allocated by Northland Inc. The unspent quantum of funding remains in the IGR and is available for allocation in future years. Northland Inc has never allocated the full quantum of budgeted Project Development funding available. The average total of Project Development funding allocated over the past five years is just under $200,000 per annum.
(c) Enabling Investment funding – There is no limit to the quantum of funding provided through the Enabling Investment category although the balance of the IGR cannot fall below $0 (taking into consideration future funding commitments made to projects). The quantum of funding set out as the “Potential funding available for EI allocation” provides an indication of what could be allocated in any one year. Again, like Project Development funding, any money not spent remains in the IGR and available for allocation in future years.
There are two existing Enabling Investment funding commitments that will be paid out in 2021/22: $33k being the last annual payment contribution to Extension 350 programme and $0.5 million being the last payments contributing to the cost of constructing the Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei. There are no other outstanding funding commitments.
The criteria and procedures for allocation of funding from the IGR sets out the process to be followed for allocating Enabling Investment. A decision paper will be provided to the Joint Committee containing staff recommendations, a funding recommendation from the Northland Inc board and accompanied by a business case. Potential Enabling Investment allocations will be discussed with the Joint Committee before a decision paper is brought for funding allocation.
Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga
Attachment 1: Criteria and procedures
for the allocation of funding from the Investment and Growth Reserve ⇩ 
30 July 2021
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TITLE: |
Annual Work Plan 2021/22 |
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ID: |
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From: |
Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist |
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Authorised by Group Manager: |
Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement, on 23 July 2021 |
Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga
The purpose of this report is to seek agreement on the annual work plan for 2021/22 for the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee (Joint Committee).
1. That the report ‘Annual Work Plan 2021/22’ by Emmanouela Galanou, Economic Policy Advisor and Darryl Jones, Economist and dated 8 July 2021, be received.
2. That the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee agrees to the Annual Work Plan as set out in Attachment 1 of this report.
Options
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No. |
Option |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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1 |
Agree to the proposed annual work plan. |
Provides all necessary steps for developing Northland Inc’s SOI and therefore enables the Joint Committee to meet its responsibilities and processes. |
Could give the impression that there is no flexibility to the items recommended for discussion by the Joint Committee. |
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2 |
Do not agree to the proposed annual work plan. |
Provides extreme flexibility to the items discussed by the Joint Committee. |
Could negatively affect the sound and efficient operation of the development of Northland Inc’s SOI and other matters the Joint Committee is responsible for. |
The staff’s recommended option is Option 1. The annual work plan sets out a schedule of meeting dates and agenda items that allows the Joint Committee to meet its statutory obligations in relation to the development of Northland Inc’s Statement of Intent. It also provides the opportunity to have quarterly workshop discussions with Northland Inc. While the Annual Work Plan sets out specific items that are anticipated to be brought to the Joint Committee for decision and discussion, it is anticipated that additional items will be added to the agendas as issues and matters for discussion arise during the year.
Considerations
1. Significance and engagement
An agreement to an annual work plan provides security and support for the Joint Committee plans for year 2021/22.
2. Policy, risk management and legislative compliance
This report is submitted for consideration by the Joint Committee and is considered to be of low risk and compliant with legislative requirements.
Being a purely administrative matter, Environment, Community Views, Māori Impact Statement, Financial Implication, and Implementation Issues are not applicable.
Background/Tuhinga
The Joint Committee has been established by the Northland Regional Council (NRC) Far North District Council and Kaipara District Council to provide shareholder oversight of Northland Inc. Limited and collectively provide for a better focus on economic development across the region.
With the establishment of the Joint Committee, NRC’s Regional Economic Development Service Delivery Working Party was disestablished as at 1 July 2021, as its work was subsumed into that of the new Joint Committee.
Staff propose that the Joint Committee agree to the annual work plan for 2021/22 as set out in Attachment 1. The annual work plan proposes six Joint Committee Meetings, each of which to be held on a Friday, with the exception of the September Meeting/Northland Inc Quarterly Workshop which is set for Thursday 23 September. The Joint Committee meetings will be followed by a workshop to allow progression, feedback and discussion of items in the work plan. Four of these workshops will also play host to a quarterly workshop with Northland Inc. Provision is made in the work plan to bring an agenda item to the Joint Committee for a decision to allocate Enabling Investment funding from the Investment and Growth Reserve (IGR). The criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from the IGR sets out the requirements to be met for making this decision. It is anticipated that prior to a formal meeting decision, the potential investment proposal will have been discussed with the Joint Committee at a workshop session. Additional in-person and /or online discussions could take place if necessary and agreed to. Certain flexibility to amend and add to the work plan as the work progresses is available.
Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga
Attachment 1: Joint Regional Economic
Development Committee Annual Work Plan 2021/22 ⇩
