Strath Taieri Community Board

MINUTES

 

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Strath Taieri Community Board held in the Strath Taieri Community Centre, Middlemarch on Thursday 14 March 2019, commencing at 5.00 pm

 

PRESENT

 

Chairperson

Barry Williams

 

Deputy Chairperson

Joan Wilson

 

Members

Norma Emerson

David Frew

 

Mike Lord

Mark O'Neill

 

Jacinta Stevenson

 

 

IN ATTENDANCE

Terry Taylor (Contract Supervisor), Michael Bathgate (Policy Planner), Richard Ewans (Biodiversity Advisor)

 

Governance Support Officer       Sharon Bodeker

 

 

 

1       Public Forum

There was no Public Forum.   

 

2       Apologies

There were no apologies.

 

3       Confirmation of agenda

 

 

Moved (Member David Frew/Cr Mike Lord):

That the Board:

 

Confirms the agenda without addition or alteration.

 

Motion carried (STCB/2019/007)

 

 

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.

 

Mark O’Neil noted his interest in the Hyde trees item. 

 

 

Moved (Cr Mike Lord/Member Jacinta Stevenson):

That the Board:

 

a)     Notes the Elected Members' Interest Register; and

b)     Confirms the proposed management plan for Elected Members' Interests.

Motion carried (STCB/2019/008)

 

5       Confirmation of Minutes

5.1    Strath Taieri Community Board meeting - 31 January 2019

 

Moved (Cr Mike Lord/Member Norma Emerson):

That the Board:

 

Confirms the minutes of the Strath Taieri Community Board meeting held on 31 January 2019 as a correct record.

 

 Motion carried (STCB/2019/009)

Part A Reports

6       Introduction to new City Development Staff

 

Richard Ewans (Biodiversity Advisor, City Development) and Michael Bathgate (Policy Planner) introduced themselves to the Board.

 

They spoke about the Biodiversity Fund, which was open for applications twice a year, with the next funding round being April 2019.  The maximum grant payable was $5,000 for activities including plantings, protection of native bush and species.  Grants awarded are to be matched by the applicant, including by cash, time given or other in-kind contributions.  It was noted that there has never been an application from the Middlemarch area, and Mr Ewans and Mr Bathgate were keen to advertise and spread the news of the fund to the local community.  Ways of informing the community were discussed. 

 

 

7       Governance Support Officers Report

 

In a report the Governance Support Officer provided an update on matters of interest including:

·           Project Fund

·           New Zealand Community Boards’ 2019 Conference

·           Correspondence

·           Action List

 

The Board noted that the project fund would need to have received applications and invoices before the end of June.

 

Correspondence received was noted.  Mr Taylor spoke about the letter from Ms Markham, and advised that the matter raised had been acknowledged by the DCC. 

 

The Group Manager 3 Waters, Tom Dyer, is meeting with Mr & Mrs Walker on 19 March, to discuss the issue raised in their letter. 

 

The letter from Ms Bosshard was noted.  The Board agreed that this matter should be included on the agenda for the next meeting, for further discussion.  Ms Bosshard will  be invited to attend and participate in that part of the meeting. 

 

Items on the Action List were discussed.  It was noted that the Group Manager Transport, Richard Saunders, will be attending the next meeting of the Community Board, to give an update on transport matters including Sutton Bridge.  The Board asked if there could be a site visit at the bridge prior to the commencement of the meeting. 

 

 

Moved (Deputy Chairperson Joan Wilson/Member Norma Emerson):

That the Board:

 

a)     Notes the Governance Support Officers Report.

b)     Confirms the payment of a grant of $2,750.00 to the Strath Taieri Playcentre.

c)     Amends the Action List as appropriate.

Motion carried (STCB/2019/010)

 

8       Wifi Project

 

Norma Emerson provided an update on the Wifi Project.  She advised that payment had been made and now progress could be made with Unifone to install wifi hotspots in Middlemarch.  She recorded her thanks to Cr Lord for his help in progressing this matter.

 

9       Chairperson's Report

 

The Chairperson commented on the following:

·      Roading – The amount of cones that have been left on the roads following road works has been a problem.  Mr Taylor explained that unless a complaint was made, he was unable to track progress on smaller maintenance issues such as potholes. 

·      Taieri Gorge Broom/Gorse - Note was made that many areas through the Taieri Gorge have significant broom and pest plants.  This was complicated by the fact that there is usually private land, then the rail corridor, private land and then roading.  

·         Township appearance – vegetation encroachment is a problem, especially where there are multiple property owners (as above).  Mr Taylor is dealing with Parks and Recreation staff on a number of these matters.

·      Culverts – different sized culverts are causing issues.  Gary LaHood from the Otago Regional Council will be visiting the area to look at some of the issues.

·         Anzac day – the Taieri Pipe Band would attend the Anzac day events in Middlemarch.  The cost of the minibus is expected to be $500 or less.

 

Moved (Member David Frew/Mr Mark O'Neill):

That the Board:

 

Approves funding the cost of the minibus that will be used to transport the Taieri Pipe Band to the ANZAC day events in Middlemarch.

 

Motion carried (STCB/2019/011)

 

 

·         Hazardous waste – the Board members requested Mrs Bodeker to contact the Otago Regional Council to find out when there might be another Hazardous Waste collection undertaken, and how to deal with hazardous waste. 

·         Recycling bins – there is a need for more recycling bins for those who live outside the area of collection.  The number of bins available have halved.  This is to be added to the action list. 

 

10     Council Activities

 

Cr Mike Lord provided an update on Council activities including the following:

·         Finance update - council spend is very close to budget, and capital spend is $48 million for the seven month period to date.

·         CouncilMark – The DCC has been rated an A.

·         Annual Plan – consultation on the Annual Plan is opening on 18 March, and participation is encouraged.

 

11     Notification of Agenda Items for Consideration by the Chairperson

 

 

 

 

No items were notified.

 

      

 

 

The meeting concluded at 6.40 p.m.

 

 

 

 

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CHAIRPERSON