Grants Subcommittee
MINUTES
Confirmed minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Grants Subcommittee held in the Mayors Lounge, 2nd Floor, Civic Centre, The Octagon, Dunedin on Tuesday 12 July 2016, commencing at 9.00 am
PRESENT
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Chairperson |
Jinty MacTavish |
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Deputy Chairperson |
Kate Wilson |
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Members |
John Barkla |
Aaron Hawkins |
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Sze En Lau |
Bridie Lonie |
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June Mills |
Paulette Tamati-Elliffe |
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Andrew Whiley |
Desiree Williams |
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IN ATTENDANCE |
Joy Gunn (Events and Community Development Manager), Cara Paterson (Community Advisor Arts), Craig Monk (Community Advisor Arts) Jendi Paterson (Recreation Planning and Facilities Manager), Felicity Sime (Recreation Business Performance Co-ordinator), Katie Wheelen (Community Advisor), Paul Coffey (Community Advisor, Community) |
Governance Support Officer Doug Jackson
Messrs S Grant, President, and Ms H Catchpole, Chief Executive of the Otago Racing Club addressed the Committee on the Club’s appeal on the decision to decline the Club’s application for Rates Relief.
Ms Catchpole highlighted the number of Community Groups that use various facilities within the Wingatui complex and highlighted the fact that a number of these groups are not charged for such use. Ms Catchpole also stressed that the area was used extensively by members of the public on a daily basis such as walkers, runners and members of the public walking their dogs. The Club also used volunteer groups to assist the Club at various functions and made grants to these organisations for their services.
Ms Catchpole pointed out that the facilities were very accessible and were used for weddings, celebrations and funerals with charges being kept at a minimal rate for such functions.
Mr Grant addressed the items in the paper which had been circulated to the Committee including the contention that the facilities encouraged gambling and questioned whether any evidence had been presented on this issue to the Committee when considering the Club’s application for Rates Relief. Mr Grant contended that the Local Government Rating Act should include areas such as the Otago Racing Club’s grounds and believed that the decision to decline was unfair. He encouraged the Committee to grant Rates Relief for the current rating year on the basis that the matter will be fully canvassed in any application for rates relief in the following year.
Forbury Park Trotting Club – Rates Relief Appeal
Mr R Moore addressed the Committee on the Club’s appeal on the decision to decline the Club’s application for Rates Relief.
Mr Moore stated that he felt the Racing Industry had been singled out for problem gambling and contended that this does not apply to his Club. He noted that the Forbury Park Trotting Club was a Not for Profit organisation and any surplus goes back in to improving Club facilities. Mr Moore believes that there should be a wider discussion on the Racing Industry asking the Committee to note that both the Otago Racing Club and the Forbury Park Trotting Club had been in existence for at least 100 years.
Mr Moore also advised the Committee that the Bendigo Valley Trust that ran the gaming machines at the course distributed significant grants to various organisations and Community Groups within the Dunedin area.
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There were no apologies. |
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Moved (Cr Jinty MacTavish/Cr Aaron Hawkins) that the Subcommittee:
Confirms the agenda without addition or alteration
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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.
The Chair, Jinty MacTavish declared an interest in the applications from The Malcam Charitable Trust, the Landscape Connections Trust and the Sustainable Dunedin City Food Network.
June Mills declared an interest in the Otago Neighbourhood Support Charitable Trust application.
Kate Wilson declared an interest in the Keep Dunedin Beautiful application.
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7 OTAGO RACING CLUB AND FORBURY TROTTING CLUB – CONSIDERATION OF DECLINE APPEALS |
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The Subcommittee considered the appeals from the Otago Racing Club and the Forbury Park Trotting Club to the declining of the Rates Relief for their respective organisations.
The Committee noted the additional information provided by both Clubs in the Public Forum section of the meeting on Tuesday 12 July.
There was a lengthy discussion held on the issues raised in the appeals and in particular to the Clubs being largely operating for the purpose of gambling.
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Moved (Deputy Chairperson Kate Wilson/Mrs June Mills) that the Subcommittee: a) Recommend to council that the Otago Racing Club and the Forbury Park Trotting Club be granted one year's relief of rates at the current percentage. b) Seek clarity from Council before May 2017 on the aspect of Rates Relief Grant relating to racing and gambling. c) Note that a timely complete review of the Rates Relief Grant should be scheduled for no later than 2018/19 Long Term Plan. |
The meeting concluded at 10.45 am.
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C H A I R P E R S O N