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Annual Plan
Hearings - Devonport-Takapuna
25 March 2014
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Summary
of public submissions on the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015 – Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board
File No.:
CP2014/03792
Purpose
1. This report provides a
high-level analysis of key themes contained in submissions on the Draft Annual
Plan 2014/2015 relevant to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. The report also
provides high-level analysis of the regional submissions on the Draft Annual
Plan 2014/2015.
Executive Summary
2. 1,967
submissions were received on the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015, 87 of which were received after the submission deadline. The Draft Annual Plan includes the Devonport-Takapuna Draft
Local Board Agreement.
3. Legislation
requires that submitters to the Draft Annual Plan be given reasonable
opportunity to be heard.
4. Submissions
that cover both regional and local content will be heard at local board
hearings, with at least the ward councilor(s) present to hear regional content.
For the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, there were a total of 58
submissions, with 8 submitters requesting to be
heard.
5. The
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board proposed one budget change. While the majority
of submitters from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area did not respond to
this question, of the submitters that did respond, most were supportive of the
proposed budget change.
6. The local topic
that received the most significant number of comments from submissions to the Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board came from 3 submitters who all expressed that they
do not support a new Devonport library.
7. The most
significant regional issues arising from the submissions were in regards to the
consultation questions, i.e. the stadium strategy and Arts Festival proposals.
8. A total of 1,069 submitters (54.4% of
all submitters) provided an opinion on the proposed stadium
strategy. Of these, 230 (21.5%) supported the
proposal, while 501 (46.9%) did not support it, and 338
(31.6%) were unsure. The most notable opposition was attributed to
moving the speedway, with 362 submitters expressing a desire to keep the
speedway at Western Springs.
9. 985
submitters (50.1% of all submitters) provided an opinion on
the Arts Festival proposal. Of these, 503 (51.1%) supported the proposal, while 226 (22.9%)
did not support it, and 256 (26.0%) were unsure.
10. The most
notable other topic was opposition to fluoridation of the water supply. 237
submitters raised this point, with 217 of them coming in the form of a pro
forma.
11. The
submissions relevant to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area are attached to
this report.
12. The
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board will consider all submissions relevant to the
local board area at discussion workshops on the Draft Annual Plan and
Devonport-Takapuna Draft Local Board Agreement on 1 April 2014.
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Recommendation/s
That the Annual
Plan Hearings - Devonport-Takapuna:
a) receive submissions on the Draft
Annual Plan 2014/2015, including the Devonport-Takapuna Draft Local Board
Agreement, relevant to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
b) hear the relevant submissions on
the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015
c) thank submitters for their
verbal presentations
d) consider
any potential amendments to the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015, including the
Devonport-Takapuna Draft Local Board Agreement.
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Discussion
Context
13. The Local
Government Act 2002 and Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 require
Council to use the special consultative procedure in adopting the Draft Annual
Plan 2014/2015. This includes ensuring any person submitting on the Draft Annual
Plan is given reasonable opportunity to be heard.
14. The
governing body agreed at the meeting on 19 December 2013, that submissions
containing both regional and local content would be heard at local hearings.
15. This
report provides statistics on submissions received regionally and locally, and
a brief high-level analysis of key themes and topics.
16. More
detailed analysis of submissions will be provided to the local board workshop
on 1 April 2014.
17. The
consultation period for the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015, incorporating the
Devonport-Takapuna Draft Local Board Agreement, was held from 23 January 2014
to 4pm 24 February 2014.
Submissions
18. Council
received and processed 1,967 submissions. Of these submissions, 58 are
relevant to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area with 8 submitters
requesting to be heard.
19. Copies of submissions for the
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area are provided in Attachment A to this
report.
Overview of
feedback from submissions relevant to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area
20. The submission
form asked for views on local board budget changes for 2014/2015. Table 1 below
shows whether respondents from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area agreed,
disagreed or were unsure about the proposed budget change.
Table 1 - Devonport-Takapuna
proposed budget changes
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Proposed
budget change
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Support
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Do not support
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Unsure
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No response
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No.
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%
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No.
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%
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No.
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%
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No.
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%
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Devonport Museum funding
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12
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20.7%
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4
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6.9%
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0
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0.0%
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42
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72.4%
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21. While the
majority of submitters from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area did not
respond to this question, of the submitters that did respond, most were
supportive of the proposed budget change.
22. The local topic
that received the most significant number of comments from submissions to the Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board came from 3 submitters who all expressed that they
do not support a new Devonport library.
Consultation
questions
23. Consultation Question 1: Stadium Strategy – A total of 1,069 submitters (54.4%
of all submitters) provided an opinion on the proposed stadium
strategy. Of these, 230 (21.5%) supported the
proposal, while 501 (46.9%) did not support it, and 338
(31.6%) were unsure. The most notable opposition was attributed to
moving the speedway, with 362 submitters expressing a desire to keep the
speedway at Western Springs. While responses were mixed from submitters in the
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area, the majority also did not support the
stadium strategy. That is, 38.9% of the 36 submitters did not support the
proposal, 30.6% supported it, and 30.6% were unsure. This is outlined in
figure 1 below.
Figure 1 – Stadium Strategy proposal
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Overall
(1,069
submissions)
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Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board submitters
(36 submissions)
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24. 985
submitters (50.1% of all submitters) provided an opinion on
the Arts Festival proposal. Of these, 503 (51.1%) supported the proposal, while 226 (22.9%)
did not support it, and 256 (26.0%) were unsure. Similarly, 51.4% of the 35
submitters from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board were also supportive of the
an annual Arts Festival. This is outlined in figure 2 below.
Figure 2 – Arts Festival proposal
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Overall
(985
submissions)
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Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board submitters
(35 submissions)
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Regional
overview
25. There were 165
regional submissions, with 44 requesting
to be heard. High-level information on the regional submissions is provided
below. Of those requesting to be heard at a regional hearing, 8 were from individual submitters, 22 from
special interest groups, 11 from businesses or business
associations, and a further 3 from Maori organisations.
26. The topics listed below in table 2 indicate
the most commonly raised submission points relating to regional activities (not
including the consultation questions), with a summary of the most significant
issues below.
Table 2 - Regional topics
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Topic Description
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Number of submissions commenting on topic
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% of total submissions
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Watercare – Water Supply
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247
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12.6%
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Regional arts & culture initiatives
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54
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2.7%
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Social housing proposal – Do not support
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51
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2.6%
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Expenditure – too high
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38
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1.9%
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Transport strategy
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35
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1.8%
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Request for funding
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31
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1.6%
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Auckland Transport – Public transport
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29
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1.5%
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General comments about the plan
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29
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1.5%
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Auckland Transport – Roads
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27
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1.4%
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Rates – too high
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24
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1.2%
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Environmental strategy, policies & programmes
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23
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1.2%
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27. Watercare Services – Water supply – 226 of the 236 submissions regarding water
supply were opposing fluoridation of the water supply. Of those submissions,
206 came via a pro forma. The points raised outline a believed violation of
human rights in that ratepayers have no choice as to whether their water is
treated to include fluoride chemicals. The form also outlines a perceived
health risk and that fluoride should be obtained through toothpaste only.
28. Regional arts & culture initiatives – of the 54 submitters that commented on this
topic, 48 are requests for Council to consider Massive Theatre Company for
annual investment and assistance to find a home. While most of which are from
members/supports, the Theatre does also make an official submission requesting
funding itself.
29. Social Housing proposal – 51 submitters outlined their reasons
for not supporting the proposal to increase social housing rental charges by
5%. Just over half of these submitters outlined the major reason being the
increase was not affordable.
Next steps
30. Decisions
on the final Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Agreement will be made at the
decision-making meeting on Tuesday 15 April 2014. Members may require additional
information to support their decision-making. Officers’ responses to requests
for information will be tabled at the deliberation meeting.
Consideration
Local Board Views
31. The Devonport-Takapuna Local
Board will consider all submissions relevant to the local board area at the
workshop on the Draft Annual Plan and Devonport-Takapuna Draft Local Board
Agreement on 1 April 2014.
Maori Impact Statement
32. The implementation of the Annual
Plan 2014/2015 has the potential for positive outcomes for Māori.
Notwithstanding the projects already identified in the Draft Annual Plan
2014/2015 that contribute to Māori the impact will be clearer when
consideration and decisions are made by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and
the Governing Body, at their respective decision-making meetings, on the Draft
Annual Plan and the Devonport-Takapuna Draft Local Board Agreement.
33. Mana Whenua authorities were sent
a letter about the consultation process. Maatawaka received information via
standard communications processes that Auckland Council use to disseminate
Annual Plan information.
34. Te Reo Māori regional
summaries and submission forms were available, as well as translators for
submissions received in, and/or submitters wishing to address the hearing in Te
Reo Māori.
Implementation Issues
35. Implementation issues on the
various matters raised in submissions will be considered when making decisions
at decision-making meetings on the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015 and
Devonport-Takapuna Draft Local Board Agreement on 15 April 2014.
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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aView
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Draft Annual Plan 2014-2015 -
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Submissions (Under Separate Cover)
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Signatories
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Authors
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Dean McIntosh - Governance Analyst -
Governance Project Team
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Authorisers
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Eric Perry - Relationship Manager
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