25 June 2024
Northland Regional Council Minutes
Meeting held in the Dargaville Museum,
32 Mt Wesley Coast Road, Dargaville
on Tuesday 25 June 2024, commencing at 10.15am
Tuhinga/Present:
Councillors:
John Blackwell
Joe Carr
Jack Craw
Peter-Lucas Jones (Via audio-visual link)
Amy Macdonald (Via audio-visual link from 10.34 – 11.12am and from 11.20am)
Marty Robinson
Rick Stolwerk (Via audio-visual link)
I Tae Mai/In Attendance:
Independent Tangata Whenua Advisor (Via audio-visual link)
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Pou Whakaritenga - GM Regulatory Services
Group Manager - Community Resilience
Pou Tiaki Taiao - GM Environmental Services
Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity
Corporate Strategy Manager
Financial Planning Manager
Manager Māori Relationships
Māori Engagement and Governance Support Administration
Governance Specialist
Part Meeting
Finance Manager (Via audio-visual link)
Financial Accountant (Via audio-visual link)
Biosecurity Manager – Marine
Economist
Corporate Planning Specialist (Via audio-visual link)
Economic Policy Advisor
Māori Cultural Advisor
Secretarial Note: The Chair declared the meeting open at 10.17am and proceedings commenced with a karaka by the Māori Cultural Advisor.
Ngā whakapāha/Apologies (Item 3.0)
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Moved (Robinson/Blackwell) That the apologies from Councillor Shortland, the Independent Risk Advisor and Independent Tangata Whenua Advisor (Dee-Ann Wolferstan) for non-attendance and from Councillor Macdonald for delayed arrival be received. Carried |
Secretarial Note: The apology from the Chief Executive Officer was also acknowledged with the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in attendance to fulfil this role.
Nga whakapuakanga/Declarations of Conflicts of Interest (Item 4.0)
It was advised that councillors should make declarations item-by-item as the meeting progressed.
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Receipt of Action Sheet (Item 5.2) Report from Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist |
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That the action sheet be received. Carried |
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Rates for the year 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 (Item 7.5) Report from Kyla Carlier, Corporate Strategy Manager; Casey Mitchell, Financial Planning Manager and Kim Harvey, Financial Planning Accountant |
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1. That the report ‘Rates for the year 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025’ by Kyla Carlier, Corporate Strategy Manager; Casey Mitchell, Financial Planning Manager and Kim Harvey, Financial Planning Accountant and dated 5 June 2024, be received. 2. That the Northland Regional Council resolves to set the following rates under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 (LGRA) for the financial year commencing 1 July 2024 and ending 30 June 2025: a. Targeted council services rate A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. The rate is calculated on the total projected capital value, as determined by the certificate of projected valuation of each constituent district in the Northland region. An additional $1.73 (including GST) per each rateable separately used or inhabited part (SUIP) of a rating unit is to be assessed across the Whangārei constituency to provide funding for the ongoing maintenance of the Hātea River Channel. The rate is differentiated by location in the Northland region and assessed as a fixed amount per each rateable separately used or inhabited part (SUIP) of a rating unit in the Far North and Whangarei Districts, and on each rateable rating unit (RU) in the Kaipara district. The rate is set as follows:
Including GST Far North District $199.02 per SUIP Kaipara District $242.60 per RU Whangarei District $209.33 per SUIP The Whangarei District targeted council services rate amount of $209.33 (including GST) per SUIP includes funding for the Hātea River Channel amount of $1.73 (including GST).
b. Targeted land and freshwater management rate A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. The rate is assessed on the land value of each rateable rating unit in the region. The rate is set per dollar of land value. The rate per dollar of land value is different for each constituent district because the rate is allocated based on projected land value, as provided for in section 131 of the LGRA. The rate is set as follows: Including GST Far North District $0.0002765 per dollar of land value Kaipara District $0.0002829 per dollar of land value Whangarei District $0.0002868 per dollar of land value
c. Targeted pest management rate A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. The rate is calculated on the total projected capital value, as determined by the certificate of projected valuation of each constituent district in the Northland region. The rate is a fixed amount, differentiated by location in the Northland region. The rate will be assessed on each rateable separately used or inhabited part (SUIP) of a rating unit in the Far North and Whangarei Districts, and each rateable rating unit (RU) in the Kaipara District. The rate is set as follows: Including GST Far North District $96.70 per SUIP Kaipara District $117.87 per RU Whangarei District $100.86 per SUIP
d. Targeted flood infrastructure rate A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. The rate is a fixed amount assessed on each rateable separately used or inhabited part (SUIP) of a rating unit in the Far North and Whangarei Districts, and each rateable rating unit (RU) in the Kaipara District. The rate is set as follows: Including GST Far North District $40.67 per SUIP Kaipara District $40.67 per RU Whangarei District $40.67 per SUIP
e. Targeted emergency and hazard management rate A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. The rate is calculated on the total projected capital value, as determined by the certificate of projected valuation of each constituent district in the Northland region. The rate is a fixed amount, differentiated by location in the Northland region. The rate will be assessed on each rateable separately used or inhabited part (SUIP) of a rating unit in the Far North and Whangarei Districts, and each rateable rating unit (RU) in the Kaipara District. The rate is set as follows:
Including GST Far North District $54.71 per SUIP Kaipara District $66.69 per RU Whangarei District $57.07 per SUIP
f. Targeted regional rescue services rate A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. The rate is a fixed amount assessed on each rateable separately used or inhabited part (SUIP) of a rating unit in the Far North and Whangarei Districts, and each rateable rating unit (RU) in the Kaipara District. The rate is set as follows: Including GST Far North District $11.30 per SUIP Kaipara District $11.30 per RU Whangarei District $11.30 per SUIP
g. Targeted regional sporting facilities rate. A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. The rate is a fixed amount assessed on each rateable separately used or inhabited part (SUIP) of a rating unit in the Far North and Whangarei Districts, and each rateable rating unit (RU) in the Kaipara District. The rate is set as follows: Including GST Far North District $16.18 per SUIP Kaipara District $16.18 per RU Whangarei District $16.18 per SUIP
h. Targeted regional economic development rate. A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. This rate is assessed on the land value of each rateable rating unit in the region. The rate is set per dollar of land value. The rate per dollar of land value is different for each constituent district because the rate is allocated based on projected land value, as provided for in section 131 of the LGRA. The rate is set as follows:
Including GST Far North District $0.0000238 per dollar of land value Kaipara District $0.0000244 per dollar of land value Whangarei District $0.0000247 per dollar of land value
i. Targeted Whangārei transport rate A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. The rate is a fixed amount assessed on each rateable separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit (SUIP) in the Whangarei District. The rate is set as follows: Including GST Whangarei District $51.81 per SUIP
j. Targeted Far North transport rate A targeted rate as authorised by the LGRA. The rate is a fixed amount assessed on each rateable separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit (SUIP) in the Far North District. The rate is set as follows: Including GST Far North District $8.57 per SUIP
k. Targeted Awanui River management rate A targeted rate set under the LGRA, set differentially by location and area of benefit as defined in the Awanui River Flood Management Plan, and as defined in the following table:
The rate is set differentially as follows:
The rating
classifications are illustrated in the following maps:
I. Targeted Kaihū River management rate
A targeted rate set under the LGRA, and set differentially by location and area of benefit as defined in the following table:
The rating classifications are
illustrated in the following map: m. Targeted Kaeo-Whangaroa rivers management rate A targeted rate set under the LGRA, set on a uniform basis in respect of each rateable separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit falling within the former Whangaroa Ward rating rolls of 100-199, as illustrated in the map below: Including GST Former Whangaroa Ward $47.78 per SUIP
n. Targeted Whangārei urban rivers management rate A targeted rate set under the LGRA and assessed on all rateable properties defined by reference to the differential categories and differentiated by location (illustrated in the map below) and, for some categories, land use. It is set as a fixed amount per each rateable separately used or inhabited part (SUIP) of a rating unit, as follows:
o. Targeted Taumārere rivers management rate A targeted rate set under the LGRA, set on a uniform basis in respect of each rateable separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit located within and/or intersecting the Taumārere Rivers Management Rate catchment area, as illustrated in the map below: Including GST Taumārere $68.04 per SUIP
3. That the Northland Regional Council resolves the following with respect to payment dates for rates and the penalty regime:
Far North District constituency: The Northland Regional Council resolves that all rates within the Far North District constituency are payable in four equal instalments, on the following dates:
The Northland Regional Council resolves to add the following penalties to unpaid Far North District constituency rates: · In accordance with section 58(1)(a) of the LGRA, a penalty of ten percent (10%) will be added to any portion of each instalment of Far North District constituency rates assessed in the 2024/25 financial year that is unpaid on or by the respective due date for payment as stated above. These penalties will be added on the following dates:
The Northland Regional Council resolves to charge postponement fees in accordance with their rating and postponement policies for the Far North District constituency.
Kaipara District constituency: The Northland Regional Council resolves that all rates within the Kaipara District constituency are payable in four equal instalments, on the following dates:
The Northland Regional Council resolves to add the following penalties to unpaid Kaipara District constituency rates: · In accordance with section 58(1) (a) of the LGRA, a penalty of ten percent (10%) of so much of each instalment of the Kaipara District constituency rates assessed in the 2024/25 financial year that are unpaid after the relevant due date for each instalment will be added on the relevant penalty date for each instalment stated below, except where a ratepayer has entered into an arrangement by way of direct debit authority, and honours that arrangement. These penalties will be added on the following dates:
· In accordance with section 58(1)(b) of the LGRA, a penalty of ten per cent (10%) of the amount of all Kaipara District constituency rates (including any penalties) from any previous financial years that are unpaid on 3 July 2024 will be added on 7 August 2024. · In accordance with section 58(1)(c) of the LGRA, a penalty of ten per cent (10%) of the amount of all Kaipara District constituency rates to which a penalty has been added under the point immediately above and which remain unpaid on 07 February 2025 will be added on 07 February 2025.
Whangarei District constituency: The Northland Regional Council resolves that all rates within the Whangarei District constituency are payable in four equal instalments, on the following dates:
The Northland Regional Council resolves to add the following penalties to unpaid Whangarei District constituency rates: · In accordance with section 58(1)(a) of the LGA, a penalty of ten percent (10%) will be added to any portion of each instalment of Whangarei District constituency rates assessed in the 2024/25 financial year that is unpaid on or by the respective due date for payment as stated above. These penalties will be added on the following dates:
· In accordance with section 58(1)(b) of the LGRA, a penalty of ten per cent (10%) will be added to any Whangarei District constituency rates (including any penalties) from any financial year prior to 1 July 2024 that still remain unpaid as at 3 July 2024. This penalty will be added on 16 September 2024.
The Northland Regional Council resolves to charge postponement fees in accordance with their rating and postponement policies for the Whangarei District constituency.
No discount will be given for early payment of rates.
The district councils have advised that their rates adoption dates are as follows: · Far North District Council – 26 June 2024 · Kaipara District Council – 31 July 2024 · Whangarei District Council – 16 July 2024. Should their collection and/or penalty dates change through the rate setting process we will need to amend our resolution accordingly. Carried |
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Refinement to the Governance Structure (Item 7.6) Report from Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist |
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1. That the report ‘Refinement to the Governance Structure’ by Chris Taylor, Governance Specialist and dated 7 June 2024, be received. 2. a) That Councillor John Blackwell be replaced by Councillor Amy Macdonald as the NRC member on the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee. [1] b) That Councillor Geoff Crawford be replaced by Councillor John Blackwell as the NRC alternate member on the Climate Change Adaptation Committee.
3. That Councillor Geoff Crawford be replaced by Councillor Rick Stolwerk as the NRC member on the Northland Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group. 1 4. a) That Councillor Peter-Lucas Jones be replaced by Councillor Marty Robinson as an NRC member on Te Oneroa a Tōhē Board.[2] b) That Councillor Peter-Lucas Jones be appointed the NRC alternate member on Te Oneroa a Tōhē Board (in the event one of the NRC members appointed to the Board is unable to attend).[3] 5. That Councillor Rick Stolwerk be appointed as a member of the Audit Risk and Finance Committee[4] . 6. a) That Councillor Joe Carr be replaced by Councillor Blackwell as the Chair of the Infrastructure Committee. b) That Councillor Joe Carr remains a member of the Infrastructure Committee.[5] 7. a) That Councillor Geoff Crawford be replaced by Councillor Jack Craw as Chair of the Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party.[6] b) That Councillor Crawford remains a member of the Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party. c) That Councillor Joe Carr be removed as a member of the Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Group. 8. a) That Councillors Joe Carr and John Blackwell and be replaced by Councillors Amy Macdonald, Marty Robinson and Rick Stolwerk as members of the Natural Resources Working Party. b) That Councillor Crawford, as Chair of council and hence ex-officio of all working parties, remains a member of the Natural Resources Working Party. 9. That Councillor Marty Robinson be appointed as the alternate Co-Chair of the Te Taitokerau Māori and council Working Party. Carried
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Secretarial Note: Appreciation was extended to all elected members for the collegial manner in which the distribution of roles had been addressed. |
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Northland|Forward Together - Revised strategic collaboration document (Item 7.7) Report from Darryl Jones, Economist |
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1. That the report ‘Northland Forward Together - Revised strategic collaboration document’ by Darryl Jones, Economist and dated 7 June 2024, be received. 2. That council adopt Northland Forward Together I Te Taitokerau Kōkiri Ngātahi as the shared strategic collaboration document for Northland local government. 3. That council approve Council Chair Geoff Crawford to sign Northland Forward Together I Te Taitokerau Kōkiri Ngātahi. Carried
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Secretarial Note: It was stressed that the four Northland councils must be ‘speaking in unity for Northland’ and the Northland|Forward Together strategic collaboration document supported this. |
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Caulerpa Response Plan (Supplementary Item 7.9) Report from Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity; Simon Crabb, Finance Manager and Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services |
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1. That the supplementary report ‘Caulerpa Response Plan ’ by Don McKenzie, Pou Tiaki Pūtaiao - GM Biosecurity; Simon Crabb, Finance Manager and Bruce Howse, Pou Taumatua – Group Manager Corporate Services and dated 20 June 2024, be received.[7] 2. That council supports the withdrawal of $1M from the Long-Term Investment fund to pay for ongoing removal of Caulerpa, and repairs and maintenance on the barge and other equipment, subject to MPI confirming in writing that they will provide reimbursement in full. Carried
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Secretarial Note: A letter to be drafted to the Minister and MPI to confirm council’s resolution and that funding was subject to reimbursement in full. |
Kaupapa ā Roto/Business with Public Excluded (Item 10.0)
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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 Tangata Whenua Advisor be permitted to stay during business with the public excluded. Carried
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Open Meeting
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That the council resumes in open meeting. Carried |
Whakamutunga (Conclusion)
The meeting concluded at 11.56am with a karakia by the Māori Cultural Advisor.
Confirmed as a true and correct record 23 July 2024
Chair Geoff Crawford