Community and Environment Committee

MINUTES

 

Confirmed minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Community and Environment Committee held in the Edinburgh Room, Municipal Chambers, The Octagon, Dunedin on Wednesday 8 June 2016, commencing at 1.02 pm

 

PRESENT

 

Chairperson

Cr Jinty MacTavish

 

Deputy Chairperson

Cr Neville Peat

 

Members

Cr David Benson-Pope

Cr John Bezett

 

Cr Doug Hall

Cr Mike Lord

 

Cr Andrew Noone

Cr Chris Staynes

 

Cr Andrew Whiley

Cr Kate Wilson

 

 

IN ATTENDANCE

Sue Bidrose (Chief Executive Officer), Simon Pickford (General Manager Services and Development), Jendi Paterson (Recreation Planning and Facilities Manager), Glen Hazelton (Team Leader Urban Design), Nicola Pinfold (Group Manager Community and Planning), Bernie Hawke (Group Manager Arts and Culture), Joy Gunn (Manager Events and Community Development), Paul Coffey (Community Advisor), Richard Saunders (Group Manager Parks and Recreation), Anne Gray (Policy Analyst) and Kevin Taylor (Property Manager)

 

Governance Support Officer      Pam Jordan

 

 

 

1       Public Forum

1.1    Archibald Baxter Memorial

 

Kevin Clements and Paul Sorrell from the Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust addressed the meeting concerning the Archibald Baxter Memorial.

Prof Clements advised that the plan was for a Dunedin based national memorial not only to those from Dunedin, but to commemorate all those who were conscientious objectors.  The Trust did three things: raised funds for the national memorial, an annual public lecture on some aspect of peace and justice, and an Otago-based high school prize.

The Trust and Council staff had looked at a number of sites and some were felt to be inappropriate.  A site at the Otago Museum Reserve did not work out, and a site at the intersection of Albany and George Streets was being looked at.  Photos of the site were shown.  This did not offer the same contemplative space but an aesthetically challenging monument could be developed that would make an impact in its own way.  A competition for sculptures had already been initiated.

The group was looking for a commitment from the Council.  Further details were provided about design and specifications.

Professor Clements and Mr Sorrell responded to questions about the site, access, design, interpretation and technical requirements of the site.  Although there was not so much foot traffic as some other sites, there would be vehicular traffic with cars stopping at the traffic lights next to the monument.

2.1    Otago Racing Club – Rates Relief Grant

Stephen Grant (President) and Ray Kean (Vice President) of the Otago Racing Club spoke to the Committee about the recommendation of the Grants Subcommittee to decline the Club's application for rates relief as it was concerned about level of community use.  Mr Grant noted that in retrospect the application had been light on that information as it had been done during a time of change of personnel.  They tabled information on the public benefits of the use of the property.  These benefits included an easement to the Council for public access as part of a subdivision consent granted, access to public toilets, recreational use of the facility by various community and sporting groups, and the Club's own charitable activities.

The Chairperson outlined the appeal process available to the Club and Messrs Grant and Kean responded to questions from Councillors.

3.1    Forbury Park Trotting Club – Rates Relief Grant

Tony Dunstan (Chairman) spoke to the Committee about the recommendation of the Grants Subcommittee to decline the Club's application for rates relief.  He thanked the Council for the opportunity to talk about the application and commented on how the Club had benefited from receiving the rates relief in the past.  Financial statements had been submitted with the application showing that the Club was in a precarious situation, with a $200,000 loss the previous year, some of that as a result of the South Dunedin floods.  The Club provided a very good facility and did a lot for groups around town.  He provided details of recent community and other events hosted by the Club, some of which used the facilities free of charge.

 

The Chairperson introduced the new Manager Events and Community Development, Joy Gunn, to the Committee

 

 

2       Apologies

 

Moved (Chairperson Jinty MacTavish/Deputy Chairperson Neville Peat):

 

That the Committee:

 

Accepts the apologies from Mayor Dave Cull and Crs Hilary Calvert, Aaron Hawkins, Richard Thomson and Lee Vandervis.

 

Motion carried (CE/2016/012)

 

 

3       Confirmation of agenda

 

 

Moved (Chairperson Jinty MacTavish/Deputy Chairperson Neville Peat):

 

That the Committee:

 

Confirms the agenda, noting that the supplementary item circulated (Local Government New Zealand Social Housing Forum) will be taken after Item 9.

 

Motion carried (CE/2016/013)

 

 

4       Declarations of interest

Members were reminded of the need to stand aside from decision-making when a conflict arose between their role as an elected representative and any private or other external interest they might have.

 

5       Confirmation of Minutes

5.1    Grants Subcommittee meeting - 24 May 2016

 

Moved (Chairperson Jinty MacTavish/Cr Kate Wilson):

 

That the Committee:

 

Confirms the public part of the minutes of the Grants Subcommittee meeting held on 24 May 2016 as a correct record.

 

 Motion carried (CE/2016/014)

Cr John Bezett left the meeting at 1.44 pm and returned at 1.45 pm.

Part A Reports

6       Otago Museum Reports to Council - February and April 2016

 

A report from Corporate Services appended reports, prepared by the Otago Museum, providing an update on their key activities for the period from December 2015 to April 2016. 

 

The Director of the Otago Museum, Dr Ian Griffin, spoke on various aspects of the report including attendance, the Planetarium, and a Lotteries grant for a digitisation project.  He responded to questions from Councillors and thanked them for their continued support of the Museum.

 

 

Moved (Deputy Chairperson Neville Peat/Cr Kate Wilson):

 

That the Committee:

 

a)        Notes the Otago Museum Reports to Contributing Local Authorities – December to February 2016 and February to April 2016.

Motion carried (CE/2016/015)

 

7       Update on Archibald Baxter Memorial

 

A report from Parks and Recreation updated the Committee on progress with selecting a site for the proposed Archibald Baxter Memorial in conjunction with the Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust.  The Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust in consultation with staff had identified a preferred site for the memorial to conscientious objectors and was working through selection process for the design of a memorial garden on-site.  The preferred site (at the intersection of Albany and George Streets) was supported by staff and key stakeholders.

The Group Manager Parks and Recreation commented on the site selection process with the Trust and noted that this was the site that stood out.  He responded to questions from Councillors about the site itself, technical issues, design of the memorial, other sites and an ability to name the site.

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Deputy Chairperson Neville Peat):

 

That the Committee:

 

a)     Notes the Update on Archibald Baxter Memorial report.

b)     Notes the preferred site for the Memorial is located at the intersection of Albany and George Street.

c)     Notes the approval of the final design of the proposed Memorial at the Albany Street site will be given by the Group Manager Parks and Recreation in consultation with the Urban Design Team Leader with consideration given to the existing environment and on-going maintenance costs.

d)     Reconfirms Council's support of the Trust's proposal to commemorate the actions of Archibald Baxter and other conscientious objectors during the First World War.

The Chairperson commended the Trust for working positively with the Council and also to staff for their work.  This was a prominent site in the Central Business District and would be fitting for such a memorial.

Motion carried (CE/2016/016)

 

8       Parks and Recreation Activity Report for the quarter ended 30 March 2016

 

A report from Parks and Recreation updated the Committee on Parks and Recreation operations, maintenance and capital works, including contracted out services.

 

Staff responded to questions from Councillors.

 

 

Moved (Deputy Chairperson Neville Peat/Cr Doug Hall):

 

That the Committee:

 

a)     Notes the Parks and Recreation Activity Report for the Quarter ended 30 March 2016.

Motion carried (CE/2016/017)

 

9       Community, Arts and Culture Non-Financial Activity Report for the Quarter Ended 30 March 2016

 

A report from Community and Planning and Services and Development updated the Committee on key city, community, arts and cultural outcomes for the quarter ended 30 March 2016.

 

 

Moved (Cr Andrew Noone/Cr Chris Staynes):

 

That the Committee:

 

a)     Notes the non-financial community and cultural activity report for the quarter ended 30 March 2016.

Motion carried (CE/2016/018)

 

10     Local Government New Zealand Social Housing Forum

 

A report from Councillor Jinty MacTavish updated the Committee on the Local Government New Zealand Social Housing Forum held in Wellington on 16 March 2016.

 

Cr MacTavish spoke on the Forum and its highlights.  She commented on the need to think about a spectrum of housing solutions.

 

The Property Manager and other staff responded to questions about the Council's housing stock, the types of properties in the portfolio and things being done to make the properties better to live in.

 

Cr Doug Hall left the meeting at 2.46 pm and returned at 2.48 pm.

 

The Chairperson advised that a social housing needs assessment that had been carried out would be circulated for information.

 

 

Moved (Chairperson Jinty MacTavish/Cr Kate Wilson):

 

That the Committee:

 

 

a)       Notes the report from Councillor Jinty MacTavish regarding the Local Government New Zealand Social Housing Forum.

b)       Requests an update from MSD on their Social Housing Purchasing Intentions in Dunedin, trends in waiting lists, and plans to ensure an adequate supply of social housing in Dunedin.

c)        Requests immediate dialogue with Housing New Zealand to understand their intentions in relation to Dunedin social housing stock, particularly in light of Dunedin having recently become a Refugee Resettlement Centre.

d)       Requests staff to engage with local social housing providers (via the Social Housing Providers Network) and stakeholders to determine:

i.      What needs to be done to ensure housing needs across the housing continuum are being met now and into the future, with a primary focus on social housing, and

ii.     What role Council needs to play in delivering this, consistent with roles agreed in Council's Social Housing Strategy.

e)       Requests staff to report back by November 2016 with progress on the implementation plan in the Council's Social Housing Strategy 2010-2020 and setting out next steps in developing a five year Action Plan for Dunedin on social housing.

There was further discussion on the report and the provision of social housing in Dunedin.

 

Cr Andrew Noone left the meeting at 3.19 pm.

 

Motion carried (CE/2016/019)

 

11     Notification of Agenda Items for Consideration by the Chairperson

 

The following item was notified:

 

Cr Lord asked for an update on how the first wave of Syrian refugees was settling into Dunedin.

 

 

 

The meeting concluded at 3.31 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

..............................................

CHAIRPERSON