Council Meeting
19 October 2021
Northland Regional Council Minutes
Meeting held remotely
on Tuesday 19 October 2021, commencing at 10.30am
Tuhinga/Present:
Chairperson, Penny Smart
Councillors:
Terry Archer
Justin Blaikie
Jack Craw
Colin Kitchen (left 1.37pm during business with the public excluded)
Amy Macdonald
Marty Robinson
Rick Stolwerk
Joce Yeoman
I Tae Mai/In Attendance:
Full or Part Meeting
Independent Audit & Risk Advisor
Independent Financial Advisor
Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer
Pou Taumatua - GM Corporate Services
Pou Tiaki Taiao - GM Environmental Services
Pou Whakaritenga - GM Regulatory Services
Pou Manawhakahaere – GM Governance & Engagement
Policy and Planning Manager
Strategic Projects and Facilities Manager
Strategic Policy Specialist
Policy Planner
Policy Specialist
Governance Specialist
The Chair declared the meeting open at 10.31am and proceedings commenced with a karakia by the Deputy Chair.
Secretarial Note: Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions and the meeting being conducted fully remotely, proceedings were livestreamed in order to be open to the public.
Ngā whakapahā/Apologies (Item 1.0)
There were no apologies.
Nga whakapuakanga/Declarations of Conflicts of Interest (Item 2.0)
It was advised that councillors should make declarations item-by-item as the meeting progressed.
Receipt of Action Sheet (Item 5.2) Report from Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist |
That the action sheet be received. Carried |
Draft NRC submission - Managing our wetlands (Item 7.2) Report from Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist |
1. That the report ‘Draft NRC submission - Managing our wetlands’ by Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist and dated 27 September 2021, be received. 2. That council approve the submission prior to it being lodged with the Ministry for the Environment (subject to any amendments directed by council). 3. That the Chair sign the submission on behalf of council. 4. That staff are authorised to make minor changes to improve formatting or readability prior to the submission being lodged. Carried
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Review of Regional Policy Statement (Item 7.3) and Tangata whenua involvement in Regional Policy Statement review (Supplementary Item 7.3) Reports from Ingrid Kuindersma, Policy Planner |
1. That the reports ‘Review of Regional Policy Statement’ and ‘Tangata whenua involvement in Regional Policy Statement review’ and ‘Tangata Whenua involvement in Regional Policy Statement review’ by Ingrid Kuindersma, Policy Planner and dated 28 September 2021 and 15 October 2021 respectively, be received. 2. That council proceed with the preparation of the five-year review of the Regional Policy Statement, in accordance with s 35 of the Resource Management Act 1991, and a. That it be a desktop-based level of analysis. b. Input is sought from Māori Technical Advisory Group (MTAG) on behalf of TTMAC. c. Provide funding for a Māori practitioner/consultant to prepare a report on behalf of TTMAC, overseen by MTAG and that MTAG select the consultant (within council procurement procedures). d. TTMAC non-elected members be invited to nominate three members to sit alongside councillors during council workshops on the RPS review. e. Include key stake holders. f. That a draft of the review be provided for public feedback, and g. That the Planning and Regulatory Working Party oversee the five year review of the RPS. Carried |
Secretarial Note: Councillors Kitchen and Robinson declared a conflict of interest and withdrew from all discussion and decision making on Item 7.4.
Allocation of Remaining Regional Sporting Facilities Rates Collected 2018-2021 (Item 7.4) Report from Phil Heatley, Strategic Projects and Facilities Manager |
1. That the report ‘Allocation of Remaining Regional Sporting Facilities Rates Collected 2018-2021’ by Phil Heatley, Strategic Projects and Facilities Manager and dated 6 October 2021, be received.
2. That the Kerikeri Squash Club sporting facility project receive an ‘In Principle’ allocation of the full remaining quantum of Regional Sporting Facilities Rates collected but unallocated during the 2018–2021 financial years.
3. That the Chief Executive Officer has authority to distribute funds to the project, up to the amount allocated, when he is satisfied that the following has been met to his satisfaction:
a. The project Governance Group is properly constituted and capable; and b. The project, or standalone stage, is fully or near-fully funded; and c. Any other criteria that he sees as relevant and material having taken advice.
4. That the Chief Executive Officer refer to council if there is a material change in the project or proposed change in maximum allocation from the ‘In Principle’ decision. Carried (Councillors Kitchen and Robinson abstained from voting) |
Proposed four waters entities - council position (Item 7.5) Report from Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement and Colin Dall, Pou Whakaritenga - Group Manager Regulatory Services |
1. That the report ‘Proposed four waters entities - council position’ by Ben Lee, Acting GM - Governance and Engagement, and Colin Dall, Pou Whakaritenga – Group Manager Regulatory Services, and dated 8 October 2021, be received. 2. That council adopt the following position regarding the Government’s proposal to establish four water entities for the delivery of three waters services: i. The Northland Regional Council supports the Government and LGNZ joint objectives for the reform. ii. The Northland Regional Council wants to see improved three waters services in Northland, with a focus on: (a) Achieving full compliance performance of wastewater systems, ensuring they meet the desired environmental outcomes. (b) Increasing the reliability and resilience of water supplies during droughts. (c) Increasing the investment in new public wastewater schemes and water supplies particularly where there is the greatest social and environmental need. (d) Future proofing of all three waters infrastructure to cope with the impacts of climate change iii. The Northland Regional Council does not have a view on whether or not a joint Auckland and Northland Entity is the best solution for Northland. We make the following recommendations for any Three Waters Entity: (a) It needs to provide for local community input into decision making. (b) While increased investment is required, any new entity must be the most cost-efficient delivery model to be affordable for Northland communities. (c) It needs to enable improved and/or new water services where there is a need, as many small Northland communities are not connected to a public wastewater and or water supply scheme. (d) It needs to ensure the views of tangata whenua are understood and are an integral part of Three Waters management iv. The Northland Regional Council acknowledges district councils’ right to make their own evidence-based decisions on opting in or out. v. The Northland Regional Council wants to ensure regional councils are fully involved in any government consideration and analysis of including flood protection and land drainage infrastructure as part of the reforms. We do not support any proposal to transfer this infrastructure without a full analysis of the problem and potential solutions. Carried |
Health and Safety Report (Item 8.1) Report from Kelcie Mills, Health and Safety Advisor |
That the report ‘Health and Safety Report’ by Kelcie Mills, Health and Safety Advisor and dated 30 September 2021, be received. Carried |
Chair's Report to Council (Item 8.2) Report from Penny Smart, Chair |
That the report ‘Chair's Report to Council’ by Penny Smart, Chair and dated 1 October 2021, be received. Carried |
Chief Executive’s Report to Council (Item 8.3) Report from Malcolm Nicolson, Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer |
That the report ‘Chief Executive’s Report to Council’ by Malcolm Nicolson, Tumuaki - Chief Executive Officer and dated 30 September 2021, be received. Carried
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Secretarial Note: · A correction was noted to the report in relation to the Whangārei Urban Awa project and that 4.5km of fencing was planned for Year 2 (not Year 1). · Appreciation was extended to the Emergency Management Team for its response during the recent Covid lock down. · A future council workshop to address NRC’s bus services including, but not limited to, patronage, alternate options, the review of services and interpretation of statistics. · Appreciation was extended to staff for all the effort being given to prevent the latest Covid lockdown having a negative impact on work programmes. |
Receipt of Committee Minutes (Item 9.1) Report from Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist |
That the unconfirmed minutes of the: · Kaipara Moana Remediation Joint Committee – 20 September 2021; · Te Oneroa a Tōhe Board – Joint Committee – 24 September 2021; · Audit and Risk Subcommittee – 29 September 2021; · Investment and Property Subcommittee – 29 September 2021; · Joint Regional Economic Development Committee – 30 September 2021; be received. Carried
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Secretarial Note: · Representatives of each of the committees provided a verbal update on key priorities and workstreams. · Appreciation was extended to Ian Jenkins, who was finishing 29 years of service as council’s forestry consultant. · Clarification was sought on the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee’s delegated authority in terms of allocating funding from the Investment Growth Reserve. |
Working Party Updates and Chairpersons' Briefings (Item 9.2) Report from Sally Bowron, Strategy, Governance and Engagement Team Admin/PA |
That the report ‘Working Party Updates and Chairpersons' Briefings’ be received. Carried
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Secretarial Note: The Chair of each Working Party provided a verbal update on key priorities and work programmes for these subordinate bodies. |
Kaupapa ā Roto/Business with Public Excluded (Item 10.0)
1. That the public be excluded from the proceedings of this meeting to consider confidential matters.
2. That the general subject of the matters to be considered whilst the public is excluded, the reasons for passing this resolution in relation to this matter, and the specific grounds under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution, are as follows:
3. That the Independent Advisors be permitted to stay during business with the public excluded. Carried |
Secretarial Note: The meeting adjourned 12.41pm and reconvened at 12.50pm to address business with the public excluded.
Whakamutunga (Conclusion)
The meeting concluded at 1.43pm with a karakia by Councillor Yeoman.