Agenda of Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

Portfolio	Responsibilities	Primary	Associate
Governance	Board leadership Board-to-Council and Board to Board relationships Board to CCO relationships (strategic governance matters) Civic duties Advocacy (local, regional and central government) Community partnerships Relationships with Māoridom Relationships with youth Relationships with government Unitary Plan Policy and planning: - local board plan - local board agreement - local area plan	Chairperson	Deputy Chairperson
Economic development and town centres Finance	Key relationships with ATEED Business Improvement Districts Establish and promote local priorities in relation to economic development and tourism Town centre renewal, design and maintenance Town centre marketing and community safety	Member Bergin	Member Hale
Events	Coordinating the Board events calendar Liaising with event organisers and applicants Local event sponsorship Filming applications, feedback on behalf of the Board and production company liaison	Member Roe	Member Gillon
Community development and resilience	Community development Neighbourhood relationships Community advocacy Community safety (excluding town centres) Graffiti removal Relationships with Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Community preparedness disaster response relief and recovery Artistic and cultural service levels Promoting artistic endeavour	Member Cohen	Member Roe
Parks and natural environment	Neighbourhood parks and reserves (including esplanade reserves and the coastline) Design and maintenance Plantings, playgrounds, tracks and bollards Local priorities in relation to regional environmental management Coastal management including mangrove encroachment and erosion mitigation Restoration of wetlands, streams and waterways	Member Cohen	Member Gillon
Transport and infrastructure	Transport projects and policy matters including roading, footpaths and public transpory. Infrastructure projects and policy matters (e.g. water, stormwater)	Member O’Connor	Member Hale
Regulatory and heritage	Oversight of regulatory activities including: - bylaws - consent processes (including input in to decisions on notifications for resource consent applications) - licensing and compliance Liquor licensing and enforcement Historic, built and Natural Heritage issues	Member Hale	Member Gillon
Recreational and community facilities	Stewardship of recreation centres and community facilities Libraries (including events and services relating to libraries and recreation centres) Local arts facilities and amenities	Member Gillon	Member O’Connor
Greenways	Transportation and recreation projects and policy relating to walking, cycling and greenways	Member Roe	Member Cohen

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

ITEM TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

1 Welcome 7

2 Apologies 7

3 Declaration of Interest 7

4 Confirmation of Minutes 7

5 Leave of Absence 7

6 Acknowledgements 7

7 Petitions 7

8 Deputations 7

9 Public Forum 7

10 Extraordinary Business 7

11 Notices of Motion 8

12 Community Development Arts Culture (CDAC) Work Programme 2015/2016 9

13 Auckland Transport update on issues raised in May 2015 for Devonport-Takapuna Local Board 19

14 Devonport-Takapuna Greenways Plan 29

15 Monthly Local Board Services Report - May 2015 113

16 Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Discretionary Community Funding - Round two, 2014/2015 135

17 Community Facilities Network Plan 207

18 Adoption of Local Board Agreement 2015/2016 271

19 Pools and Leisure Facilities Proposed Property Renewals 305

20 Report from Devonport-Takapuna, Kaipatiki, Upper Harbour and ECB Subdivision Local Board Funding subcommittee 309

21 Local board feedback on amending the licence to occupy remission scheme to include proposed the Transport Levy 321

22 Record of Briefing/Community Forum - 19 May (extraordinary) and 26 May 2015 329

23 Summary of Actions and Reports Requested/Pending - June 2015 363

24 Ward Councillors Update 371

25 Board Members' reports 373

26 Chairperson's reports 375

27 Consideration of Extraordinary Items

1 Welcome

2 Apologies

At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.

3 Declaration of Interest

Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 19 May 2015, including the confidential section, as a true and correct record.

5 Leave of Absence

At the close of the agenda no requests for leave of absence had been received.

6 Acknowledgements

At the close of the agenda no requests for acknowledgements had been received.

7 Petitions

At the close of the agenda no requests to present petitions had been received.

8 Deputations

Standing Order 3.20 provides for deputations. Those applying for deputations are required to give seven working days notice of subject matter and applications are approved by the Chairperson of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. This means that details relating to deputations can be included in the published agenda. Total speaking time per deputation is ten minutes or as resolved by the meeting.

At the close of the agenda no requests for deputations had been received.

9 Public Forum

A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.

At the close of the agenda no requests for public forum had been received.

10 Extraordinary Business

Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-

(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and

(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-

(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”

Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-

(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-

(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and

(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but

(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”

11 Notices of Motion

At the close of the agenda no requests for notices of motion had been received.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Community Development Arts Culture (CDAC) Work Programme 2015/2016

File No.: CP2015/05668

Purpose

1. This report presents the Community Development, Arts and Culture (CDAC) 2015/2016 Devonport-Takapuna Local Board work programme for approval.

Executive Summary

2. This report provides information to support the local board in making decisions required to approve the CDAC 2015/2016 work programme.

3. The draft CDAC work programme aims to provide a defined work programme for the 2015/2016 financial year. The work programme covers the following areas:

· community development and safety;

· arts and culture;

· events; and

· community facilities.

4. The CDAC work programme for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has been aligned to the following 2014-2017 Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Plan priorities:

· active, connected and supported neighbourhoods;

· facilities that enable community well-being; and

· our heritage and environment is cherished and looked after.

5. Local boards are being requested to approve the CDAC work programme for financial year (FY) 2015/2016. Local boards are requested to note that delivery of Community Development and Safety (CDS) workstreams described in Attachment A is subject to the outcome of the Empowered Communities Approach.

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) approve the 2015/2016 Community Development, Arts and Culture work programme (Attachment A), noting that the Community Development and Safety component is dependent upon the outcome of the Empowered Communities Approach.

b) approve the community lease work plan for 2015/2016 see (Attachment B).

c) approve the 2015/2016 term grants for the Devonport Community House of $42,810 and Sunnynook Community Centre of $60,385 towards the operation and activation of the community facilities

d) approve the following community arts organisation funding agreements (subject to the funding agreement being approved by the local board chair or delegated authority):

i) Devonport Historical and Museum Society, $20,000 (uninflated opex budget);

ii) Michael King Writers Studio Trust, $34,044.20 (uninflated opex budget);

iii) North Shore Brass Inc., $17,000;

iv) North Shore Theatre and Arts Trust, $80,571.44 (uninflated opex budget);

v) The Depot, $76,030.83 (uninflated opex budget);

vi) The Lake House Trust Inc., $63,973.27 (uninflated opex budget); and

vii) the Rose Garden Community Centre and Theatre Inc, $53,713.94 (uninflated opex budget)

Comments

6. The CDAC work programme for 2015/2016 has been developed using a coordinated departmental approach. Each CDAC unit has aligned their projects and initiatives to the Auckland Plan directives and the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board plan 2014 – 2017.

7. The CDAC work programmes align to the following 2014 – 2017 Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Plan priorities:

· active, connected and supported neighbourhoods;

· facilities that enable community well-being; and

· our heritage and environment is cherished and looked after.

8. The CDAC work programme 2015/2016 for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board includes the following areas of activity:

· Community Development and Safety: This includes community wellbeing programmes, working with the Devonport Peninsula and Takapuna North Community trusts to plan activities which connect people and build a sense of community, youth development work including the Youth Board and general community youth programmes, and graffiti prevention initiatives.

· Arts and Culture: This includes administering funding agreements for North Shore Brass Inc, Devonport Historical and Museum Society, Michael King Writers Centre, Pumphouse Theatre, The Depot Artspace, the Lake House Arts Centre and the Rose Centre. Other projects include ongoing renewals projects and collaborating with facilities on strategic asset management planning.

· Events: This work programme includes a range of community events such as ANZAC day, volunteer appreciation awards, citizenship ceremonies and the Devonport-Takapuna Pride of Place event concept, including the Tamaki River Festival. The events team also administers funding rounds for local event support funding.

· Community Facilities: This includes the provision of social housing, community facilities and their promotion, community leasing, capex renewals and ‘level of service’ work, exterior redevelopment of the Rose Centre, and building the operational capacity of Sunnynook Community Centre. The facilities team will also agree, monitor and report on funding agreements with community-led centres, supporting those centres to connect and deliver to local board work outcomes.

9. The work programme includes scoped initiatives, the allocation of budgets and established timelines. A workshop was held with the local board and CDAC staff on 28 April, to ensure activities align with the local board priorities and meet the needs of the Devonport-Takapuna community.

10. CDAC’s Community Development and Safety (CDS) unit will operationalise the Empowered Communities Approach, which is part of the 2015/2016 Long-Term Plan approved on 8 May 2015 (GB/2015/31). Broadly speaking, the changes proposed to the community development function are:

· move away from direct delivery (and therefore save overheads) and fund community groups to deliver more;

· for local boards to play a much more active role by allocating more funding through them; and

· transition delivery to a more empowered communities approach.

11. The Empowered Communities Approach model was considered by the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee at its meeting on 4 June. This report recommends that the work programme be adopted based on current arrangements, noting that FY 2015/2016 will be a transition year for CDS.

12. Local boards are requested to approve the CDAC work programme for 2015/2016. CDAC staff will continue to work with relevant portfolio holders and the local board to ensure these projects are delivered and evaluated. Portfolio holders and the local board will also be consulted on the prioritisation of the community facilities renewal projects and community leases.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

13. The draft 2015/2016 work programme was considered by the local board at a workshop on 28 April 2015. The views expressed by local board members are reflected in Attachment A.

Maori impact statement

14. Improving Maori outcomes is a priority for the region. One of the Auckland Plan targets is to increase targeted support to Maori community development projects. The CDAC work programme aims to improve well-being among Maori living in the local board area. The focus of this CDAC work programme is to support Maori targeted initiatives.

Implementation

15. CDAC staff will continue to meet with portfolio holders to provide updates on the work programme and ensure it is progressed in a timely way. The CDAC work programme will be implemented within the Annual Plan 2015/2016 budget and reported on through the quarterly reporting process.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	CDAC Work Programme FY2015/2016 Devonport-Takapuna Local Board	13
b View	Devonport-Takapuna Community Leasing Workplan 2015/2016	17

Signatories

Authors

Yvette Asthana - Administrator

Authorisers

Graham Bodman - Manager - Community Development, Arts and Culture

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Attachment B: Devonport Takapuna Local Board Draft Community Lease Workplan 2015/ / 2016

Group	Reserve Name / Location / Ownership / Reserve Classification / Legal Description & Area / Title Reference	Building Ownership	Renewal Due	Lease Expired	Notes
Lease renewals required

Devonport Lions Club	Allenby Reserve - Allenby Avenue, Narrowneck	Lessee	1/9/2014		Renewal for a further ten years
Glenfield Rugby League Club	Sunnynook Park	Lessee	1/04/2016		Renewal for a further ten years
Sunnynook Scouts	Sunnynook Park	Lessee			Renewal for a further ten years
IHC Ground Lease	Sea Breeze Avenue	Lessee			Renewal for a further ten years
Expired leases to be negotiated
North Shore United AFC/North Shore Cricket Club	Stanley Bay Park - Stanley Pt Rd/Calliope Rd	Council		31/3/2014	Shared premises. Old pavilion.
PHAB	Auburn Reserve - 8 Auburn St, Devonport	Council		30/4/2015
Scout Assn of New Zealand	Milford Reserve	Lessee
Awataha Young Mariners	Milford Reserve	Lessee
Belmont Racquets Club	133 Bayswater Avenue	Lessee		1/04/2016
Foresthill Milford Soccer Club	Becroft Park	Lessee		30/06/2016
Milford Combined Bowling Club	Brian Byrnes Reserve	Lessee		1/12/2015

New Leases requiring Public Notification in accordance with the terms of the Reserves Act 1977
Devonport Community Garden	Lake Rd	Council			Former Framework Site
Mount Cambria Community Garden	Mount Cambria	Council			Old Parks Depot
Korean Garden	Fred Thomas Drive	Council			Site for new garden and memorial
Council owned premises that require advertising for expressions of interest
Fort Takapuna	Fort Takapuna Recreation Reserve	Council			10 rooms available for occupation under a licence to occupy

Other lease related matters

Former Takapuna RSA	2 Mary Poynton Cres, Takapuna	Investigation of future use.
North Shore United	Dacre Park	Potential changes to the lease
Devonport Community Creche	Clarence Street	Requirement for new premises

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Auckland Transport update on issues raised in May 2015 for Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

File No.: CP2015/10313

Purpose

1. This report provides an update on transport related issues raised by local board members during May 2015. It also includes general information about matters of interest to the local board, the Schedule of Issues raised in May 2015 (Attachment A) and the Local Board Transport Capital Fund (Attachment B).

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) receive the Auckland Transport issues update report.

Comments

Local Board Auckland Transport Capital Fund Projects

2. At the 9 December 2014 Devonport-Takapuna Local Board meeting, the board resolved to allocate $900,000 from the AT Local Board Capital Fund towards the cost of constructing the Wairau Creek Bridge.

3. The board still has some funds available to allocate to capital projects within the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area once a decision is made on previous projects that have been investigated.

Walking and cycling access through Barrys Point Reserve to Akoranga Bus Station

4. Akoranga Bus Station is a convenient access for students attending Rosmini College, however the walking route from Akoranga to Rosmini is not direct and in winter is very boggy and unusable.

5. Auckland Transport contracts 10 school buses to and from Rosmini College and there is a lack of bus parking in Dominion Road to accommodate them. Buses are often double parked at the school gates creating safety issues and residents complain due to the excessive congestion created at the school gates.

6. A solution is to relocate the school buses to the Akoranga Station at the rear of the school; however this cannot be done without proper access in terms of footpaths and a walking and cycling bridge across the council owned reserve.

7. Aside from the use by students, surveys have identified 120 members of the public using Rosmini School as a route to the Akoranga Station, which would still be accessible. Rosmini College has indicated it would be prepared to install the paths required within its property to connect to paths in the reserve.

8. Council’s Parks department has future plans to upgrade the Barrys Point Reserve and would be involved in the process to decide the pathway direction and access links required through the reserve.

9. This project will support access to a public transport facility and encourage walking and cycling, as well as address safety concerns at the front of Rosmini College gates in Dominion Road. Auckland Transport has a priority for providing facilities for walking and cycling as ‘the first and last leg of a public transport journey’.

10. To progress this project a resolution of the board is required to resolve its support and request this project be investigated and costed.

Walking and cycling connections to Sunnynook Bus Station, the Sunnynook Town Centre and local schools

11. Extensive stormwater works are to take place in Sunnynook Park, which will require the removal and replacement of large sections of the current paths in the park. These replacement paths will be located on the top of flood banks around the path and through the middle of it. It is proposed that the existing footpaths will be widened to 3 metres so they can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists.

12. The proposed routes through the park in the local board’s draft Greenways Plan will provide more direct walking/cycling access than roadways to the Sunnynook Bus Station, shopping centre, community centre and Wairau Intermediate School for approximately 2000 households.

13. The existing bridge that connects Sunnynook Park to Sycamore Road would also need to be widened to open a pinch point.

14. This project aligns with the board’s Greenways priorities and there is an opportunity to capitalize on the stormwater project and take the opportunity to improve the walking and cycling connections from Sunnynook Park to the Sunnynook Busway. Auckland Transport also has a priority for providing facilities for walking and cycling as ‘the first and last leg of a public transport journey’.

15. Previously property was acquired, and a 3 metre wide shared path constructed from the bus station along Kapiti Place to Cockayne Crescent.

16. Cockayne Crescent is a quiet road, but due to the number of parked cars it would be wise to install a 3 metre wide shared path, for which there is room on the berm.

17. It is proposed that the link between Sunnynook Park and Cockayne Crescent along Sycamore Drive is upgraded to make it a cycling route suitable for all ages and abilities. It would possibly require shared paths on the wide verges and a crossing. This would also provide safe and convenient access to the shopping centre for all people coming through the park.

18. To progress this project a resolution of the board is required to resolve its support and request this project be investigated and costed.

Permanent Cycle/Pedestrian Count Monitoring Equipment

19. In 2013 the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board asked for a quote in regards to the installation of permanent automatic pedestrian and cycling monitoring equipment near the new Bayswater walking and cycling bridge. The aim being to monitor usage of the facility in order to evaluate the success of the investment, as well as gauge future cycling use for future expansion of the network in this area.

20. The quote of $11,000 provided previously for the installation of the equipment includes an option for telemetry functionality, which means that data is relayed from the logger via satellite to software installed on a desk top computer (i.e. no site visits required to collect the data 24/7 and accuracy is ensured). A device at this location could ultimately assist to inform future funding and subsidies on future proposed construction of cycleways and bridges in this area.

21. The board may now wish to consider the installation of the Eco-Counter automatic equipment which is used by Auckland Transport at 15 locations around the city to measure trends and growth in walking and cycling in the region. Auckland Council’s Parks department also uses this equipment to monitor usage on a number of paths in the southern area.

Previous Projects - Preliminary Investigation Undertaken and Decision Required from the Local Board.

22. An indication is required whether the board wishes to proceed with the following projects or put them on hold. The spread sheet normally attached to the Auckland Transport Quarterly report is attached to show the status of the board’s projects under the Local Board Transport Capital Fund (Attachment B).

Bartley Square Carpark Improvements (196)

23. The project proposes to alter the current parking layout to create a better pedestrian flow that links to the Clarence Street upgrade (loss of one parking space). Relocating the footpath would link the pedestrian walking line into the existing footpath off Clarence Street.

24. This project has merit and would achieve the benefits desired. A rough order of costs, including contingency, is estimated at $113,667.

Castor Bay/Beach Road Intersection Improvements (198)

25. This project proposes to create extra parking at the commercial area, widen curbs and plant to enhance the locality and create a more pedestrian friendly area. Options include realigning the pedestrian crossing, planting and paving.

26. This project has merit and would achieve the benefits desired. A rough order of costs, including contingency, is estimated at $104,120.

Seaview Road/Commodore Parry Road Intersection Improvements (199)

27. This project proposes to widen curbs to slow traffic and install pedestrian refuge islands.

28. This project has merit and would achieve the benefits desired. A rough order of costs, including contingency, is estimated at $134,899.

Vauxhall/Tainui Road Intersection Improvements (192)

29. The purpose of this project would be to slow the traffic on Vauxhall Road and install traffic islands at the Tainui Road intersection, making it safer for pedestrians and improving the overall presentation of the area with paving and planting.

30. This project has merit and would achieve the benefits desired; unfortunately, until the bus route changes scheduled for 2016 have been implemented construction cannot take place, there is value in having the design completed and defer construction to the 2017-18 financial year.

31. This would be $5,000 to complete and is recommended. A decision is required whether to proceed with completion of the design or not.

Previous Projects under consideration – Resolution required to support recommendation not to proceed at this stage.

Raines/Havelock Intersection Improvements (197)

32. A selection of ideas were presented to show how this intersection could be reconfigured to slow traffic and make it more pedestrian friendly, whilst upgrading the area and increasing parking. Board members felt this was worthy of scoping with options on what could be done.

33. Investigation has shown that Raines Avenue is used as a ‘rat run’ for traffic trying to avoid the traffic lights at Tristram/East Coast Road. By undertaking the proposed changes this will promote undesirable traffic behavior. It would cost $214,000, andit is recommended that this project is not undertaken.

East Coast Road Pedestrian Refuge (195)

34. Onsite observations have identified flaws in the concept design. If the refuge is installed it would likely behave like a small roundabout, putting vulnerable people in more danger. There are two existing pedestrian refuges within close proximity and no evidence of demand at this location. It would cost $154,500, andit is recommended that this project is not undertaken.

Sycamore Drive, Sunnynook (by shopping centre) (194)

35. It was suggested that the current bus stop could be relocated closer to the Sunnynook intersection (including the installation of a real time sign) and pedestrian refuges put in to make it safer crossing to the shopping centre. After investigation it has been identified that relocating the central traffic islands will cause problems for traffic exiting the adjacent carpark. It is recommended that this project is not undertaken, and that the bus stop location be investigated as part of the New North Network review.

Sunnynook Shopping Centre Footpaths (193)

36. The board suggested this project to slow the speeds of vehicles entering and exiting the shopping centre. A six metre width is required to carry out this treatment and would involve property purchase to achieve. It is recommended that this project be put on hold and further consideration be given to it at a future date, once the local stormwater project in Sunnynook Park is completed.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

37. This report is for the local board’s information.

Māori impact statement

38. No specific issues with regard to the Maori Impact Statement are triggered by this report.

General

39. The activities detailed in this report do not trigger the Significance Policy, all programmes and activities are within budget/in line with council’s Annual Plan and Long-Term Plan documents and there are no legal or legislative implications arising from the activities detailed in this report.

Implementation

40. There are no implementation issues.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Devonport-Takapuna issues raised by members during May 2015	25
b View	Local Board Transport Fund - financial update	27

Signatories

Authors

Marilyn Nicholls – Elected Member Relationship Manager – Auckland Transport

Authorisers

Jonathan Anyon – Elected Member Relationship Manager Team Manager – Auckland Transport

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Devonport-Takapuna Greenways Plan

File No.: CP2015/11090

Purpose

1. This report seeks the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s adoption of the Devonport-Takapuna Greenways Plan.

Executive Summary

2. A Devonport-Takapuna Greenways Plan has been developed. This plan has identified eleven priority greenways projects within the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area that focus on improving walking, cycling and ecological connections.

3. The Devonport-Takapuna Greenways Plan is a visionary plan that has identified eleven priority greenway projects for consideration of funding by successive local boards when funding becomes available.

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) adopt the Devonport-Takapuna Greenways Plan.

b) approve the priority list of eleven greenways projects, as set out in this report and the Greenways Plan.

Comments

4. In September 2013, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board resolved (DT/2013/303) to commit $25,000 of discretionary operating expenditure to fund the Greenways Plan for the board area

5. Greenway plans have been completed in several local board areas to date, and greenways are one area of advocacy from the governing body in the Long Term Plan 2015-2025.

6. Greenways plans are long-term plans for improving walking, cycling and ecological connections across the region, thus contributing to achieving the vision of Auckland as the world’s most liveable city.

7. The Devonport-Takapuna Greenways Plan represents an overarching walking and cycling strategy that validates the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s and the community’s priority towards active transport and green spaces.

8. Staff have mapped information on possible greenways routes in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area, including proposed Auckland Transport walkway/cycleway projects. Links into neighbouring local board areas have been identified as part of this plan.

9. Two workshops on the Greenways Plan have occurred with the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board – 2 December 2014 and 24 March 2015. A draft report with maps, titled the ‘Devonport-Takapuna Greenways - Draft Report March 2015’ was tabled at the workshop on 24 March 2015. The board approved the draft Greenways Plan and consultation plan as the process to create the final Greenways Plan.

10. A meeting of identified stakeholders was held on 30 April 2015 at the Mary Thomas Centre, Takapuna, to inform stakeholders about the vision of the Greenways Plan. A map of the proposed greenways was shown to the stakeholders present to discuss possible amendments to the proposed greenway priority projects. At this meeting, it was decided to hold another round of consultation to enable attending groups more time to consider the Greenways Plan and provide feedback from their organisations.

11. The second stage of consultation involved emailing out the proposed greenway priority projects on a map of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area and requesting written feedback within a two-week window. At the conclusion of both rounds of consultation, feedback was reviewed and several minor changes were made to the Greenways Plan as well as the additional of a new priority greenway project.

12. This report seeks local board approval of these eleven greenways as the priority greenway projects of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

· G1 Sunnynook Park

· G2 Sunnynook to Greville Reserve

· G3 Greville Reserve

· G4 Wairua Creek Bridge to Milford

· G5 Sylvan Park and Henderson Park, Lake Pupuke

· G6 Takapuna via Gould Reserve

· G7 Lake Pupuke Drive to Carmel College

· G8 Auburn Reserve to Esmonde Road

· G9 Francis St pedestrian bridge

· G10 Lake Road and Wakakura Crescent

· G11 Hamana Street to Takapuna Grammar School

13. The eleven priority projects identified in the Greenways Plan would be considered for funding by successive local boards when funding becomes available.

14. The eleven priority projects identified in the Greenways Plan already are at different stages of implementation with some already having secured funding.

· G1 Sunnynook Park is already underway with funding secured as part of the Sunnynook Park flood protection project.

· G3 Greville Reserve has been funded under the 2014/15 financial year.

· G4 Wairau Creek Bridge has funding planned for the 2015/16 financial year.

· G5 Sylvan Park and Henderson Park, Lake Pupuke has a funding proposal pending from the Greenways Growth Programme budget.

· G8 Auburn Reserve to Esmonde Road has a funding proposal pending from the Greenways Growth Programme budget.

· G9 Francis St pedestrian bridge is awaiting a feasibility study.

Consideration

Māori impact statement

15. The mana whenua of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area have been consulted regarding the vision of the Greenways Plan through a hui on 1 April 2015. Iwi had positive feedback and identified their desire to be involved with the priority greenway project G9 Francis St as it involves iwi land. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board will continue to have dialogue with local mana whenua as work is done on the Greenways Plan.

Implementation

16. The eleven priority greenway projects enable Local Board Plan outcomes and represent a blueprint for implementing walkway and cycleway projects in the local board area in the future. Funding of greenways development is not specifically identified, but there is walkway and cycleway funding identified against specific projects in the Long-term Plan (LTP) 2015-2025, and the local board may wish to commit discretionary Auckland Transport Local Board discretionary capital expenditure to some additional projects, or to the enhancement of existing projects.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Devonport-Takapuna Greenways Plan	33

Signatories

Authors

Jerome Cameron – Graduate Advisor

Chris Dee – Senior Local Board Advisor

Authorisers

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Monthly Local Board Services Report - May 2015

File No.: CP2015/10046

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to provide members with an overview of local board activity during the past month and to consider any general matters not addressed elsewhere.

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) receive the report.

b) adopt the board’s submission to the variations to the Regional Public Transport Plan

c) adopt the following dates and times to consider the results of the Takapuna Northern Beach Reserve consultation:

i) an extraordinary public briefing on 28 July 2015 at 5:00pm on the results of the consultation; and

ii) an extraordinary board business meeting on 4 August at 6:00pm to consider the results of the consultation.

d) amend the current resolution number DT/2015/77 to delegate to a panel of the whole local board with Allison Roe as chairperson to receive, hear and deliberate on submissions and other relevant information and make decisions on changes to the Auckland Council Policy on Dogs.

e) allocate $29,443 from the Sunnynook Town Centre plan budget, to increase the budget available for the Community Grants Funding - Round Two applications.

Comments

Board briefings

2. The following regional and sub-regional briefings with the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board took place in late April/May:

· LTP Budget Committee workshop (28 April);

· Auckland Transport new network briefing (13 May);

· Local board member briefing on the Maunga Authority (18 May);

· Local board members Chair’s briefing (18 May);

· Chair’s forum (25 May);

· Empowered Communities Approach Chair’s forum (25 May);

· Auckland Transport parking discussion (27 May); and

· Joint governing body and Local Board Chairs meeting (27 May).

3. A number of Devonport-Takapuna Local Board briefings occurred in May/ early June. Records of the briefings are attached to a separate report on this agenda.

4. The board briefing on 23 June is scheduled to cover the following:

· Environmental work programme planning.

5. The board briefing on 7 July is scheduled to cover the following:

· Round one funding applications for Local Events.

Strategic updates

Parks

Wairau Creek pedestrian and cycling bridge

6. This project is on track for delivery by the end of the calendar year. At the time of writing, staff had received two competitive contract tenders. The award of the contract is imminent and off-site construction will start shortly thereafter.

Victoria Wharf concrete cracks

7. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board passed the following resolution (DT/2015/53) at the 21 April business meeting:

“That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

b) request officers to report back urgently on the state of the Victoria Wharf, especially with regard to the cracking that has occurred on the wharf’s surface and what, if necessary, are the actions that need to be taken and the timelines to address it.”

8. The possibility of concrete cracking was thoroughly investigated during the design and fine cracking was expected. Numerous measures were taken to minimize cracking. These included using a large quantity of closely spaced reinforcing in the deck, the design and supply of a special low shrinkage concrete mix, and water curing of the concrete to minimise thermal cracking and plastic drying shrinkage.

9. All of the cracks of 0.3mm or wider have been injected with a thixotropic epoxy to penetrate through the deck slab and ultimately seal the crack. The finished surface of the deck slab will be coated with a textured overlay in accordance with the original urban scape design, which will also hide the crack repairs as well as provide additional grip for bikes and scooters. The crack sealing work has been completed and over time the cracks will recede as the wharf ages.

10. The crack sealing work has been completed and ocer time visibility of the cracks will diminish as the wharf ages.

Transport

Variations to the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP)

11. The board was advised of the proposed variations at its briefing of 26 May 2015. The variations include:

· changes to simplify fares through the introduction of zones;

· the introduction of light rail solutions into the RPTP;

· amendments to give effect to the 2014 Ferry Development Plan (in particular, better integrating ferry services to the public transport network); and

· the new network service provisions.

12. As consultation for the variations ended on 5 June 2015, the board’s submission to the variations was completed based on comments at the workshop, and the draft was subsequently emailed to members for final input prior to being submitted to Auckland Transport on 5 June. The submission is included as Attachment A so that it can be formally adopted retrospectively by the board.

Community Development and Community Facilities

Unspent centre plan development budget

13. There is currently $70,000 of unspent funding available to the board from the Sunnynook Town Centre Centre Plan development, which is delayed until future years. Of this budget, $29,443 was tentatively allocated by the board towards Community Grants Funding – Round Two at the 2 June board briefing. The board will consider its position regarding those draft allocations when it considers another report on the Community Grants Funding - Round Two elsewhere on the 16 June agenda.

Fort Takapuna barracks upgrade

14. The barracks upgrade budget at the time of writing had a surplus of over $200,000, due to excellent project management and an earlier decision not to restore the guardhouse arising from issues associated with the long term lease of that building.

15. Staff have been asked to complete landscaping works and an enhanced recognition of the military history associated with the site, both originally intended as part of the project, but deferred because of concerns about budget over-runs. Staff are also investigating installing lights for improved security. It is uncertain exactly when the work will be completed, but it should be completed before the end of the calendar year.

Strategic planning and finance

Takapuna Northern Beach Reserve

16. Consultation on the options for the future development of the Takapuna Northern Beach Reserve, agreed by the board at its 21 April business meeting, ran from Monday 11 May until 5pm Sunday 7 June 2015. Advertising ran weekly during the consultation period in the North Shore Times and Flagstaff, and flyers were dropped at 3,000 homes in the Takapuna Beach vicinity. An online feedback form was available on council’s consultation website (www.shapeauckland.co.nz), and hard copies of the feedback form and supporting documentation were available at the Takapuna Library and Service Centre.

17. At the time of writing, the submission period had closed and staff had received 7,875 submissions for processing. Of those, 3,581 submissions had been received through the www.shapeauckland.co.nz website. The remainder were completed “hard copy” submissions using the pro-forma submission form and received either through the mail, or from polling boxes, or by email.

18. Due to the variety of feedback responses and the multiple views and ‘cuts’ of the data required to enable robust reporting, analysis of submissions and themes will not be immediately forthcoming. Staff therefore recommend that the board hold a public workshop to initially receive the consultation results on Tuesday 28 July at 5:00pm, and then at an extraordinary meeting of the board on Tuesday 4 August 2015 at 6:00pm to formally consider the consultation analysis.

19. The board public workshop will be held in the Council Chamber in the Takapuna Service Centre at 1 The Strand, Takapuna, in the usual manner, but discussion topics will be limited to the consultation analysis only. Staff are currently investigating options to ensure as many members of the public can access the proposed business meeting on 4 August, given the high level of public interest expected in the topic.

20. The preferred option is webcasting the 4 August meeting on council’s website (such as is currently done with council Governing Body meetings), as well as setting up an alternative venue nearby the Service Centre where members of the public who are unable to access seating in the Council Chamber can view the meeting online. If it appears that webcasting is not a viable option, staff will investigate relocating the 4 August meeting to a larger venue locally, such as the Bruce Mason Centre, to accommodate attendance of a larger number of the public than what is currently possible in the Council Chamber.

21. A resolution from the board is required to establish both the public workshop on 28 July and the extraordinary business meeting on 4 August, which enable staff to take the necessary steps to organise and advertise both sessions.

Proposed Ports of Auckland development

22. At its meeting on 14 May, the Auckland Development Committee endorsed the proposed collaborative stakeholder process and the study scope of the port future study design proposals. The report considered by the Auckland Development Committee is included for reference as Attachment B. The key out-takes of the report include:

· the formation of a large stakeholder reference group;

· a requirement to consider a range of future options, including:

· relocating part or all of the port, or the port’s functions, within the Auckland region;

· closing Auckland’s ports, thus requiring imports and exports to and from Auckland to arrive by sea at other ports and be freighted to Auckland by land;

· constraining the port to its current footprint, while planning for future development of additional facilities at another location(s); and

· enabling limited growth within the existing port precinct, while planning for future development of additional facilities at another location(s).

23. The process is expected to be completed by June 2016.

Hurstmere Road maintenance and planned streetscape improvements

24. Auckland Transport has recently become aware that parts of Hurstmere Road and The Strand require maintenance in the next year to 18 months to address subsidence problems in parts of the road. They do not anticipate a road renewal being necessary, so the cost will be covered from existing Auckland Transport road maintenance operating expenditure.

25. The board has $6.5 million budgeted for streetscape improvements to Hurstmere Road in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 financial years. Auckland Transport will consider how long their maintenance work can be delayed so that the streetscape upgrades can occur at the same time, thereby leveraging better outcomes and less disruption than there would be if the works were done separately.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Community Development overhead allocation

26. At the briefing of 19 May to consider the board’s funding for the 2015-2016 financial year, members expressed concern that the overhead allocation for Community Development was $25k higher for Devonport-Takapuna than it was for Kaipatiki. Staff were asked to investigate why that should be the case.

27. The higher overhead for Devonport-Takapuna is due entirely to the fact that the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area has almost three times the number of funded events (58) than Kaipatiki (20).

Environment

Wairau Creek siltation feasibility study

28. The following resolution (DT/2015/53) was passed at the 21 April business meeting:

“c) commit $10,000 as their share of a feasibility study to be undertaken by Infrastructure and Environmental Services stormwater team into the establishment of a detention pond or similar infrastructure in the upper reaches of the Milford estuary, noting the following:

i. that any works would be designed to address the siltation problems downstream of East Coast Road.”

29. Staff from the Stormwater team have briefed a contactor to proceed with the work with the following aims:

· to compile existing information on the sedimentation issues in this estuary;

· to assess ‘high level’ ongoing sediment management options;

· identify opportunities and constraints to remediating accumulated sediment in the estuary area including constraints for recreational use; and

· to equip council with information that will help to determine responsibilities for estuary management.

30. Work is expected to be completed by 30 June.

Bylaws and Regulatory

Polluted stormwater outflows on Takapuna Beach

31. Board members and ward councillors have been approached by a number of residents regarding suspicious and smelly outflows from a large stormwater pipe adjacent to the ramp to Takapuna Beach from The Strand. Staff from council’s Environmental Compliance and Stormwater teams are investigating, so far without success. More recently Watercare has received complaints about blockages in the sewer near Byron Avenue, and on investigation has established that the cause of the blockages is fat. While the stormwater incidents and the sewer blockage are not necessarily related, both point to inappropriate disposal of fatty residues.

32. Work so far has included visiting all Takapuna restaurant and food businesses to advise them of recent pollution issues, inspecting their fat storage facilities and stormwater drains. The Pollution Response team and more recently Watercare have also letter-dropped local businesses. The Stormwater team has conducted a CCTV examination of part of the local Stormwater network, but that examination also failed to identify the source of the problem. The stormwater team will discuss the likely possible causes of the recent sewer blockage with Watercare in an effort to establish if this new evidence will provide a case for further examination of the stormwater network.

Dog Access Review

33. At the 19 May board meeting, the board resolved to delegate specific members to a panel to receive, hear and deliberate on submissions and other relevant information and recommend changes to the board. Staff recommend that this resolution is amended to delegate a panel of the whole local board to receive, hear and deliberate on submissions and other relevant information and make decisions on changes to the Auckland Council Policy on Dogs. This amendment is recommended, as a panel of the whole with delegated authority would mean that the panel decision is final and that the report to the local board would be for information only.

34. Resolution DT/2015/77 as it stands reads as follows:

“d) appoints Members Allison Roe (as chair), Grant Gillon, Joseph Bergin, Jan O’Connor, Dianne Hale and Mike Cohen as a panel to receive, hear and deliberate on submissions and other relevant information and recommend changes to the Board.”

35. Staff recommend the following amendment to DT/2015/77:

“d) delegate to a panel of the whole local board, with a quorum of three members, with Allison Roe as chairperson to receive, hear and deliberate on submissions and other relevant information and make decisions on changes to the Auckland Council Policy on Dogs.”

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

36. Local board views are sought via this report

Māori impact statement

37. There are no specific impacts on Māori arising from this report.

Implementation

38. There are no implementation issues identified in this report.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Submission to the variations to the Regional Public Transport Plan	119
b View	Port Future Study - Design proposals	123

Signatories

Authors	Chris Dee - Senior Local Board Advisor
Authorisers	Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Discretionary Community Funding - Round two, 2014/2015

File No.: CP2015/10991

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to present the applications received for round two of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Community Funding Programme 2014-15. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board is required to fund, part-fund or decline these applications.

Executive Summary

2. For the 2014-15 financial year, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board set a total community funding budget of $37,218.

3. Under round one, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board allocated $20,209 from its community funding programme budget to seven organisations, which leaves a balance remaining of $17,009 for round two.

4. The applications to be considered at this time are those received for round two, which is the second and final round in this financial year.

5. Eighteen applications have been received, requesting a total of $60,453.

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) consider the applications listed in Table One and agrees to fund, part fund or decline each application in this round.

Table One: Devonport-Takapuna Local Board community funding applications, round two 2014/2015

Organisation	Funding for	Amount requested
North Shore Centres of Mutual Aid Inc.	Towards the taxi costs for participants between July 2015 and July 2016	$ 3,000.00
The Learning Collaborative	Towards venue hire, purchase of whiteboard markers, Facebook advertising, printing materials and website expenses between July 2015 to December 2015	$ 2,132.00
The Prescott Club - Age Concern North Shore Incorporated	Towards the transportation, meals and entertainment costs for the Prescott Club at Saint Joseph’s Church between July 2015 and December 2015	$ 500.00
Age Concern North Shore Incorporated	Towards koha for volunteers for the opportunity shop in Takapuna between July 2015 to March 2016	$ 1,000.00
The Operating Theatre Trust	Towards office rental costs of the Lake House Arts Centre between May 2015 to October 2015	$ 9,846.00
Show Me Shorts Film Festival Trust Board	Towards the marketing and programming costs of the ‘Show Me Short Films Festival’ between November 2015 to December 2015	$ 1,929.00
Shanshan Multi-cultural Community Incorporated	Towards the rental of the Sunnynook Community Centre between May 2015 to March 2016	$ 5,200.00
Ngataringa Organic garden - Devonport Community Gardens Society Incorporated	Towards the cost of replacing the guttering and connection to the water tank and tank maintenance at the Devonport Community Gardens between May 2015 to April 2016	$ 2,390.00
Action Education Incorporated	Towards the salary for the Spoken Word programme in High Schools in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area between May 2015 to December 2015	$ 5,000.00
Connected Media Charitable Trust	Towards digital support fees, workshop coordination and venue hire for the ‘Outlook for Someday Free’ one-day film making workshop between May 2015 to August 2015	$ 933.00
Auckland Sexual Abuse Help Foundation Charitable Trust	Towards programme costs for 'We Can Keep Safe' programme at Pupuke Early Education Centre between October 2015 to December 2015	$ 5,000.00
The Depot Incorporated	Towards the printing, design and illustration costs for the publication of ‘Devo's Youth Friendly Places’ between May 2015 to June 2015	$ 770.00
The Lake House Trust	Towards the purchase of 50 chairs for the Lake House Arts Centre between May 2015 to July 2015	$ 2,715.00
Youthline Auckland Charitable Trust	Towards the design, printing and delivery costs of the Youthline info text cards between May 2015 to April 2016	$ 565.00
Ngataringa Organic garden - Devonport Community Gardens Society Incorporated	Towards the purchase and installation costs of a water tank at 27 Lake Road, Narrow Neck between May 2015 to December 2015	$ 4,473.00
Devonport Historical and Museum Society Incorporated	Towards the acquisition and conservation work material for the Devonport Historical Museum between June 2015 and May 2016	$ 5,000.00
Devonport Senior Citizens Association Incorporated	Towards the refurbishment at Harmony Hall between June 2015 to December 2015	$ 5,000.00
PHAB Association (Auckland) Incorporated	Towards funding for the transportation costs for the PHAB Youth and Young Adults groups between May 2015 to April 2016	$ 5,000.00
	Total:	$ 60,453.00

Comments

6. In March 2014, the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee resolved to continue the interim community funding approach for the 2014/2015 financial year (REG/20014/36).This interim community funding approach remains in place until the implementation of the new Community Grants Policy on 1 July 2015.

7. Through community grants, the local board recognises the vital role that community groups and organisations play in developing strong, sustainable communities. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Community Discretionary Fund aims to assist groups to provide activities, projects, programmes, initiatives and events that make a positive contribution within the local board area.

8. When reviewing applications, the local board should be guided by the following objectives of the fund (these are not eligibility criteria, rather they are guidelines to help the local board when considering the merits of each proposal):

· the reach of the proposal

· the legacy and sustainability of the proposal

· the potential for the proposal to grow and develop beyond the initial project

· the groups current and future role in the local area

· experience of the group working within the Devonport-Takapuna area

· the extent to which the group can support future plans and development for Devonport-Takapuna

· the alignment of the proposal with the priorities and objectives of the Board

· whether the proposal attracts additional investment into the local board area.

9. This fund is allocated at the local board’s discretion. In accordance with its fiduciary duties, the local board is to act honestly, avoid conflicts of interest and act in what the local board believes to be the best interests of the community.

10. Two community funding rounds were scheduled for the 2014-15 financial year. The first round closed on 15 July 2014. The second round closed on 15 March 2015. The fund was advertised through local community networks, local publications and on the Auckland Council website.

11. Eighteen applications were received in this round, with a total requested of $60,453.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

12. Local board feedback on the community funding applications was sought at a workshop with the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.

Māori impact statement

13. Community funding is a general programme of interest and accessible to a wide range of groups, including Maori. Maori are therefore likely to benefit alongside other groups in the community.

Implementation

14. The allocation of grants to community groups is within the adopted annual plan budget.

15. Following the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board allocating funding for round two, staff will notify the applicants of the local board decision.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Discretionary Community Funding - Round two, 2014/15 Application Summaries	139

Signatories

Authors

Kim Hammond - Community Grants and Support Officer West

Authorisers

Graham Bodman - Manager - Community Development, Arts and Culture

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Community Facilities Network Plan

File No.: CP2015/11074

Purpose

1. Seek the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s support for the draft Community Facilities Network Plan (Attachment A) and associated draft Action Plan (Attachment B).

Executive Summary

2. Community facilities are vital to local communities as they provide space where people can connect, socialise, learn and participate, and contribute to improved lifestyles and sense of belonging, identity and pride among residents.

3. The draft Community Facilities Network Plan (the network plan) is a long-term aspirational plan to guide council’s investment in the provision of community facilities over the next 20 years. It introduces a more holistic approach to the planning and provision of community facilities to keep pace with Auckland’s growing and diverse population, fill gaps in provision and ensure existing facilities are fit for purpose. The aspiration is to deliver strategically placed and integrated community facilities.

4. The scope includes arts and culture facilities, community centres, libraries, pools and leisure centres and venues for hire (community and rural halls). The network plan provides direction on optimisation, major upgrades of existing facilities, development of new facilities and potential divestment of facilities no longer meeting community needs.

5. The strategic direction articulated in the network plan will be implemented by a comprehensive set of actions in the long-term draft Action Plan. To focus resource in the short term (1-3 years), actions have been prioritised. Actions with funding in the first five years of the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 will be progressed first, along with network priority actions in spatial priority areas and actions with opportunities for optimisation. For each action local boards will be closely involved in determining the best response to meet community need and aspirations.

6. The network plan has been developed through an extensive process involving several rounds of engagement and input from local boards. Most recently a revised draft network plan was discussed with local boards through workshops in March and April 2015. The majority of local boards were supportive. Discussions with local boards at the workshops have resulted in some changes to the network plan as outlined in this report.

7. After reporting to local boards, the next step is to seek the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee’s approval of the network plan and draft Action Plan in August 2015.

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) support the draft Community Facilities Network Plan and associated draft Action Plan to guide council’s investment in the provision of community facilities

b) note that local board views will be reported to the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee in August 2015.

Background

8. The network plan has been developed with cross departmental collaboration. The plan is informed by a review of current state and research from New Zealand and comparative international cities. Key milestones in the development of the network plan have been:

February 2014	Completion of current state review and research.
March 2014	Regional Strategy and Policy Committee (REG/2014/37) Approval of timeframes to develop the Community Facilities Network Plan and presentation of current state and research findings.
March 2014	Local board cluster workshops; Presentation on current state and research findings and discussion of key issues.
June 2014	Local board briefing on the first draft network plan.
August 2014	Regional Strategy and Policy Committee (REG/2014/98) Endorse draft Community Facilities Network Plan for engagement with local boards and key stakeholders.
August – Sept 2014	Workshops with local boards and key stakeholders on the draft network plan.
October - Nov 2014	Report to all local boards seeking formal feedback on the draft network plan and providing a summary of key stakeholder feedback.
December 2014	Decision to incorporate libraries into the scope of the network plan; Local Board briefing on libraries research.
February - Mar 2015	Workshops with local boards on revised draft network plan.

Comment

9. Aligned with the Auckland Plan, local board plans and relevant strategic action plans, the network plan articulates why council provides community facilities.

10. Community facilities contribute to building strong, healthy and vibrant communities by providing space where people can connect, socialise, learn and participate in a range of social, cultural, art and recreational activities. Community facilities contribute to improved lifestyles and a sense of belonging, identity and pride among residents.

11. The network plan identifies the challenges and opportunities for future community facility provision. Challenges include gaps and duplication in current provision, fit for purpose issues, increasing costs of maintaining the network and a growing and diversifying population. Opportunities include greater integration in the planning and delivery of community facilities, partnership opportunities and optimisation opportunities.

12. Four objectives articulate a new approach for the provision of community facilities which respond to these challenges and opportunities:

· work across all types of community facilities in integrated and coordinated planning and ensure future decisions are based on clear and robust evidence;

· maintain, improve and make the best use of our existing network of community facilities where these continue to meet community needs;

· focus investment on developing fit for purpose, integrated and connected community facilities; and

· explore opportunities to leverage and support partnerships with other providers.

13. The provision frameworks in the network plan outline the objectives, functions and provision approach for each type of community facility. This will guide the identification of gaps in the network and the types of spaces required to deliver fit for purpose facilities and respond to growth.

14. The long-term draft Action Plan lists actions to investigate potential gaps in the network and existing facilities with performance issues. A fundamental component for implementation is integrated and holistic planning across all types of community facilities, including those facilities outside council’s network. Each action will require detailed investigation, involving the local board and the community, to determine the appropriate response. The network plan includes detailed guidelines which can be adapted to guide the investigation process.

15. Local boards will play a significant role in determining the appropriate response for facilities or needs in their area. The governing body will make final decisions on the acquisition, divestment or major upgrades of community and allocation of funding over $1 million.

16. There are over 100 actions in the long-term draft Action Plan, and these will be implemented over time within the available resource and financial constraints. Actions have been assessed to determine those that are network priorities (highlighted in blue in the draft Action Plan). In the short-term, actions with capital funding in the first five years of the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 will be progressed first, along with network priority actions in spatial priority areas and actions with opportunities for optimisation.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

17. There have been several rounds of engagement with local boards during the development of the network plan. Most recently a revised draft network plan (with libraries included) was discussed with local boards through workshops in March and April 2015. The majority of local boards were supportive of the revised network plan, in particular the:

· vision, outcomes and objectives for community facilities;

· move towards integrated and holistic planning and the evidence based approach to community facility development;

· aspiration to develop more connected and integrated facilities and opportunities to pilot this approach at existing facilities; and

· strategic improvements outlined in the Action Plan.

18. The following table outlines key themes from local board feedback and the associated response or amendments to the network plan.

Local Board Feedback

Response OR Amendments

Scope

· Scope of the network plan does not include all community leases, sports clubs and non-council facilities that perform similar functions as council-owned community facilities.

· The network plan acknowledges the importance of all community facilities in meeting community needs. Section 1.2 explains not all leased and non-council facilities are listed in the plan as they are bound by lease terms or they are not in council’s jurisdiction.

· Section 1.2 of the network plan has been amended to clarify what it means for facilities to be included in scope.

· Section 1.3 outlines the approach to consider all community facilities in the implementation of the network plan.

· New action added to investigate and plan for the provision of leased facilities.

Prioritisation weightings

· Some boards felt the actions relating to gaps are given advantageous weighting over actions for existing facilities.

· Some boards felt established areas of the region are disadvantaged against new growth areas.

· Some boards felt spatial priorities are given too much weighting when not all boards support the concept.

· Boards felt weighting for local board priority was too low.

· Section 5.2 (prioritisation) has been amended so the purpose is to determine which actions are network priorities.

· The criteria and weighting now focus on three components: network importance (40%), community importance (40%) and building condition (20%).

· Local board priority has the highest weighting within community importance.

Implementation approach

· Clarity on local board and community involvement in the implementation process.

· Investigation process needs to be adaptable for different communities.

· Clarity on the application of the new empowered communities approach to community facilities.

· Section 5.1 articulates how the Network Plan and Action Plan will be implemented, including emphasis on local board and community involvement in this process.

· Strategic improvement action will develop tools to implement the new empowered community approach to community facilities planning and development.

Wording and action amendments

· Number of requests to amend wording of specific sections and actions.

· Minor wording amendments have been made to the network plan and Action Plan to address feedback and improve clarity.

· Action Plan has been updated to reflect any recent progress.

Māori impact statement

19. Section 2.2 of the network plan outlines how council will implement the Maori Responsiveness Framework in relation to the planning and development of community facilities.

20. The provision of community facilities contributes to improving wellbeing among Maori communities by providing spaces to connect, socialise, learn skills and participate. Maori are users of all types of council’s community facilities. At aquatic facilities Maori make up 14% of users (compared to 9% of the population), 11% of leisure facility users and 9% of community centre users. Maori are under-represented as users at arts and culture facilities compared to the Auckland population.

21. The implementation of the network plan should improve provision and accessibility for the benefit of all Aucklanders, including Maori. The strategic improvement action to undertake research on non-users will help understand why some sectors of the population are under-represented as users of community facilities. This research should also provide useful information on improving accessibility and addressing barriers for non-users and under-represented sectors of the population.

22. The broader picture of community facility provision recognises that marae and kohanga reo are important social infrastructure for Maori and the community. Officers from Te Waka Angamua are scoping a project to address the future provision and development of marae facilities. Opportunities for aligned provision and/or partnerships with marae facilities will be considered in the implementation of the Community Facilities Network Plan.

Implementation

23. The Community Facilities Network Plan is aspirational and provides a road-map for council’s investment in community facilities over the next 20 years. The ability and timeframe to implement the network plan and associated actions is dependent on the level of budget allocated for community facility planning and development through future LTP and Annual Plan processes. The current tight fiscal environment means council needs to focus its attention on the greatest need. This plan provides direction for council to ensure the city gets the right facility in the right place at the right time.

24. A detailed implementation plan is being developed with cross-department collaboration. The implementation plan will address coordinating implementation across the different departments, progressing individual actions and reporting on implementation.

25. The draft Action Plan will be reviewed on an annual basis to reflect progress and re-evaluate priorities where necessary. Local boards have requested annual updates on the implementation progress.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Community Facilities Network Plan	213
b View	Community Facilities Network Action Plan	261

Signatories

Authors

Anita Coy-Macken - Principal Policy Analyst

David Shamy - Principal Policy Analyst

Authorisers

Kataraina Maki - GM - Community & Social Policy

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Adoption of Local Board Agreement 2015/2016

File No.: CP2015/10939

Purpose

1. This report seeks adoption of local content for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025, including a Local Board Agreement 2015/2016, a message from the chair and local board advocacy, together with adoption of a Local Fees and Charges Schedules for 2015/2016.

2. This report also seeks agreement on library opening hours for 2015/2016, the use of mechanical edging over chemical edging in parks, and a top-up to the street garden maintenance budget. It includes supporting material for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 on 10 year local activity budgets and 10 year local performance targets.

Executive Summary

3. For each financial year, Auckland Council must have a local board agreement between the governing body and the local board, for each local board area.

4. Every three years a local board plan is developed to inform the Long-term Plan (and associated local board agreements) which outlines priorities, budgets and intended levels of service over a ten year period.

5. Between January and March this year, council consulted on proposed content for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025. Local boards then held discussions with the governing body on local feedback, common issues and local priorities prior to budget decisions being made on 8 May 2015.

6. Local boards are now considering local content for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025, which includes a local board agreement, a message from the chair and local board advocacy, together with a Local Fees and Charges Schedules for 2015/2016 and library opening hours.

7. Local boards are also agreeing allocation of locally driven initiative funding to projects and services, including additional library opening hours, mechanical edging and street garden maintenance.

8. Other supporting material associated with the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 includes 10 year local activity capital expenditure budgets and 10 year local performance targets. This material does not form part of a local board agreement, but is incorporated in Volume 2 of the Long-term Plan 2015-2025, albeit at a higher programme level for budgets.

9. On 25 June 2015, the governing body will meet to adopt Auckland Council’s Long-term Plan 2015-2025 including 21 local board agreements and associated performance targets and budgets.

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) adopt the local content for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 (Attachment A), including:

i) a Local Board Agreement 2015/2016;

ii) a message from the chair; and

iii) local board advocacy.

b) adopt the Local Fees and Charges Schedules for 2015/2016 (Attachment B).

c) agree the Library Opening Hours for 2015/2016 (Attachment C), except for the week day start times of 9.30am.

d) agree to commit $65,000 of locally driven initiative funds to allow Takapuna and Devonport libraries to open at 9am Monday to Friday, rather than 9.30am.

e) agree to allocate locally driven initiative funding to top up the following services for 2015/2016:

i) $50,000 to fund mechanical edging instead of chemical spraying; and

ii) $13,000 to fund street garden maintenance.

f) note:

i) the supporting material for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 (Attachment D), including 10 year local activity budgets and 10 year local performance targets;

ii) that the local activity budgets have been updated to reflect final budget decisions made by the governing body on 8 May 2015, budget adjustments arising from new information (including the setup of a central risk fund for capital projects) and the allocation of central costs;

ii) that if there are outstanding (not yet agreed) matters in the local board agreement, the local board should include an explanation of these matters in the Chair’s message at the front of the local board agreement; and

iv) that the resolutions of this meeting will be reported back to the governing body when it meets to adopt the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 on 25 June 2015.

g) agree that the Chair be delegated authority to make any final minor changes to the local content for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025.

Discussion

10. For each financial year, Auckland Council must have a local board agreement between the governing body and the local board, for each local board area.

11. Every three years a local board plan is developed to inform the long-term plan (and associated local board agreements) which outlines priorities, budgets and intended levels of service over a ten year period.

12. Between January and March this year, council consulted on proposed content for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025. Local boards then held discussions with the governing body on local feedback, common issues and local priorities prior to budget decisions being made on 8 May 2015.

13. Local boards are now considering local content for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 which includes a local board agreement, a message from the chair and local board advocacy (Attachment A).

14. Local boards have also developed a Local Fees and Charges Schedules for 2015/2016 in alignment to agreed local activity budgets (Attachment B).

15. At a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board briefing held on 19 May 2015, members indicated a preference to extend the opening hours of both libraries by opening both libraries at 9am, rather than 9.30am as proposed in Attachment C. Staff indicated that the cost of extending the opening hours of Takapuna to include a 9am opening would be approximately $50,000, and the same extension for Devonport would be approximately $25,000. Subsequent to the briefing, staff advised that the total cost of the earlier opening time would be $65,000, rather than the earlier estimate of $75,000. Should the board resolve to open both libraries at 9am, rather than 9.30am, the additional cost will be funded from the board’s local development initiatives budget.

16. At the same briefing, the board indicated its intention to resolve for mechanical rather than chemical edging in parks at a cost of $50,000, and for additional street garden maintenance to ensure the existing maintenance standards were maintained at a cost of $13,000. Should the board confirm this position by resolution, the additional cost will be funded from the board’s local development initiatives budget.

17. Other supporting material associated with the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 includes the 10 year local activity capital expenditure budgets and the 10 year local performance targets (Attachment D). This material does not form part of a local board agreement, but is incorporated in Volume 2 of the Long-term Plan 2015-2025, albeit at a higher programme level for budgets. Local boards are requested to note this information.

18. On 25 June 2015, the governing body will meet to adopt Auckland Council’s Long-term Plan 2015-2025, including 21 local board agreements and associated performance targets and budgets.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

19. This report seeks adoption from the local board on its content for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 and other associated material. Engagement with the community, including consultation, and a number of workshops and meetings have been held by the local board and with the governing body to finalise their local board agreement.

Māori impact statement

20. Many local board decisions are of importance to Maori and there is a need to continue to build relationships between local boards and relevant Iwi. The local board agreement is based on the local board plan and the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 which have both been developed through engagement with the community, including Maori.

Implementation

21. The resolutions of this meeting will be reported to the governing body on 25 June 2015, when it meets to adopt the Long-term Plan 2015-2025.

22. The timeline to develop and produce the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 document is tight. It is possible that minor changes may need to be made to the attachments before the annual plan is adopted, such as correction of any errors identified and minor wording changes. Staff therefore recommend that the local board delegates authority to the local board Chair to make final changes if necessary.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Local Board Agreement 2015/2016, Devonport - Takapuna	275
b View	Local Fees and charges schedules 2015/2016, Devonport - Takapuna Local Board	287
c View	Library Opening Hours 2015/2016, Devonport - Takapuna Local Board	293
d View	LTP Supporting Material, Devonport - Takapuna Local Board	295

Signatories

Authors

Chris Dee - Senior Local Board Advisor

Kate Marsh - Financial Planning Manager - Local Boards

Authorisers

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Matthew Walker - General Manager Financial Plan Policy & Budgeting

Karen Lyons - Manager Local Board Services

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Pools and Leisure Facilities Proposed Property Renewals

File No.: CP2015/09195

Purpose

1. This report seeks approval from the Devonport - Takapuna Local Board for the proposed 2015/2016 property renewal capital works programme and operational work programme for Pools and Leisure Facilities

Executive Summary

2. The property renewals programme is an annual capital works programme. The programme ensures that each council facility can operate to the current level of service articulated in the relevant asset management plan.

3. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board proposed property renewals programme for 2015/2016 is detailed in this report as point 16.

4. In the 2015/16 financial year, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s Pools and Leisure Facilities budget is $20,000.

5. The operational work programme for 2015/2016 will remain in line this year, but Leisure is proposing to become more strategic in where and how it grows participation and activate more of the community, with a greater focus on growing those individuals and families who struggle to be active by offering new forms of membership and programme scheduling to attract and retain this key growth sector.

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) receive the 2015/2016 Pools and Leisure Facilities Proposed Property Renewals report.

b) approve the 2015/2016 property renewals and Pools and Leisure operational work programmes.

c) delegate responsibility to specified member/s to approve any moderate changes to the budget or project scope, in the event that there is a variation to identified costs or facility needs for its property renewals programme.

Comments

6. Community facilities are an important part of realising the vision of Auckland to become the world’s most liveable city. These facilities contribute to building strong, healthy and vibrant communities by providing spaces where Aucklanders can connect, socialise, learn and participate in a wide range of social, cultural, art and recreational activities. These activities foster improved lifestyles and a sense of belonging and pride among residents.

7. Investment in the proposed property renewals programme will ensure that council facilities remain valuable, well-maintained community assets that continue to meet user expectations. Not undertaking timely property renewals could have an undesirable impact on the customer experience and put asset performance at risk, and ultimately increase the cost to maintain the facility.

8. The property renewals programme, being led by council’s Property department, is a planned and documented process comprising of seven project management framework phases. These phases are: data collection, feasibility, initiation, planning, execution and transition, closure, and benefits realisation. Local board sign-off is within the third phase (initiation) of the property renewals programme process.

9. The property renewals programme process ensures that the proposed work-lists have received extensive input and assessment from both property and activity officers. The proposed property renewals programme includes the name of the Pools and Leisure Facilities representative for each of the proposed work-lists.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

10. Council officers are seeking local board approval for the proposed Devonport - Takapuna Local Board property renewals programme for 2015/2016. Council officers will report quarterly to the board, including any reduction in project costs, to enable a review of budget options.

Māori Impact Statement

11. The Devonport - Takapuna Local Board 2015/2016 proposed property renewals programme will ensure that all facilities continue to be well-maintained community assets benefiting the local community, including Māori.

General

12. Through the development of the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 (LTP) current business activities within Auckland Council were divided into seven broad activity segments to ensure alignment with the Auckland Plan. One of these activity areas is Parks, Community and Lifestyle.

13. The Parks, Community and Lifestyle theme includes community services, libraries, parks, recreation, and pools and leisure activities.

14. The Pools and Leisure team have developed a property renewals strategy that aims to:

i) prioritise work across the region to facilities most in need of renewal, do it once and do it right, with only one closure, minimising any disruption to operations; and

ii) review works across the pools and leisure portfolio and programme to identify opportunities to maximise Council’s purchasing power.

15. Over the course of the LTP it is proposed each facility will receive comprehensive and focused work to bring them up to the agreed level of service. In order to achieve the proposed benefits in the renewals strategy, a regional approach must be taken to ensure:

· Funding is based on need:
With limited resources every dollar needs to be invested wisely to ensure an effective renewals programme. A needs based approach ensures funding is allocated in the right areas at the right time.

· More thorough and comprehensive scoping of works:
Less likelihood of cost overruns and unforeseen project risks.

· Delivery to Levels of Service (LoS):
Focused and consistent delivery on agreed levels of service across the region.

16. Renewals programmes will be based on the following categories:

· Comprehensive upgrades:
Over the course of the LTP each facility receives a comprehensive upgrade therefore moving away from ad hoc component level renewals planning to a systematic programme of comprehensive upgrades across the leisure portfolio

· Strategic renewals:
Strategic replacement of key assets to bring long term energy and maintenance savings combined with strategic procurement. For example, procuring a single provider of pool pumps and systematically replacing these creating the ability to share across the network or systematically replacing boilers with more energy efficient models to reduce energy costs

· Return on investment initiatives:
Specific funding for projects that have a strong return on investment such as the expansion of a group fitness area enabling additional membership capacity and growth.

Leisure Prioritisation Framework

17. Although the renewals planning process, specifically for Pools and Leisure for financial year (FY) 2015/2016 (Year 1) of the LTP, has remained somewhat the same as previous years, funding has however been prioritised in part using the renewals strategy and leisure prioritisation framework as a guide for prudent asset planning and financial decision making.

18. Projects have been categorised using the prioritisation criteria outlined below, with the focus on addressing all major health and safety related issues first and then addressing any infrastructural risk or high operational risk projects. Next year Leisure will concentrate more on asset preservation and lower operational risk projects:

Priority Ranking	Type	Criteria
1	Health and safety	A project that if not completed will result in a breach of health and safety regulations, or present risk to people.
2	High operational / infrastructural risk	A project that if not complete will result in a major failure or breach of compliance needs that prevents the facility operating or a facility programme from operating.
3	Asset preservation	A project that if not complete will result in an unacceptable deterioration of the facility assets / building.
4	Low operational risk	A project if not complete could result in a minor disruption to the operation of the facility / customer experience.
5	Life-cycle replacement	A project that is not a 1 to 4 but is required to ensure the ongoing functionality of the asset or building.

Prioritisation of Proposed Renewals Programme
Pools & Leisure - 2015/2016
Budget / Local Board	Facility / Site	Project name	FY16 CAPEX
Devonport-Takapuna		Budget amount:	$25,000
Devonport-Takapuna		Amount remaining:	$0
Renewal	Takapuna Pool and Leisure Centre	Roof access anchor points - static line and tie-offs	20,000
$20,000

Leisure Operational Work Programme

19. Leisure intends to continue to deliver the same levels of service in 2015/2016 with the same operational hours and level of programming provision as was delivered previously, but to become more focused and targeted with its approach to inspire more Aucklanders to be active.

20. Leisure is proposing to become more strategic in where and how it grows participation and activate more of the community, with a greater focus on growing those individuals and families who struggle to be active by offering new forms of membership and programme scheduling to attract and retain this key growth sector.

21. Leisure will also put in place initiatives to retain existing active members and users for longer by creating a greater sense of belonging and connection to the centre through more social events, loyalty rewards and new initiatives that add value to their experience.

22. Leisure’s focus is on sustainable and focused growth that supports its goal of inspiring Aucklanders to be active, whilst continuing to provide them with great value for money.

Implementation

23. This work will be implemented as part of council’s Property department’s usual business practice and delivered in partnership with the Pools and Leisure team.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors

Michael Groom - Manager Aquatics & Recreation Facilities

Authorisers

Rob McGee - Manager Leisure – Parks, Sports and Recreation

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Report from Devonport-Takapuna, Kaipatiki, Upper Harbour and ECB Subdivision Local Board Funding subcommittee

File No.: CP2015/11208

Purpose

1. To inform the local board of decisions made at the 29 May 2015 meeting of the Devonport-Takapuna, Kaipatiki, Upper Harbour and ECB Subdivision Local Board Funding subcommittee.

Executive Summary

2. At its meeting held 29 May 2015 the Devonport-Takapuna, Kaipatiki, Upper Harbour and ECB Subdivision Local Board Funding subcommittee considered the future of sub-regional funding across multi-board areas given the impending change to a locally driven initiative (LDI) funding model. An analysis of the current situation along with possible future scenarios was tabled at the meeting (refer Attachment A).

3. It was resolved that the subcommittee:

a) receives the ‘Allocating Budget for multi-board Funding Activities’ document and requests that it be forwarded to the Devonport-Takapuna, Kaipatiki, Upper Harbour and Hibiscus and Bays Local Boards for consideration.

b) notes that, in regard to capital funding, there has been merit in a multi-board sub-regional approach as it has enabled effective and efficient completion of capital projects for the community, and has allowed recipients to leverage external funding.

c) is of the view that, for some sub-regional organisations, a multi-board approach in regards to operational funding has enabled the delivery of good community outcomes.

d) requests that there be immediate notification via the Auckland Council website, council’s grants databases and to past applicants that it is unlikely that there will be Strengthening Communities and Community Facility Development funding available for the first half of the new financial year as the multi-board model is currently under review.

e) requests that any applicant for Strengthening Communities and Community Facility Development funding be referred to individual local board funding schemes for consideration.

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) receive the report.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Allocating budgets for multiboard funding	311
b View	Local Board LDI Budgets FY15/16	317

Signatories

Authors	Blair Doherty - Kaipatiki Local Board Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

16 June 2015

Local board feedback on amending the licence to occupy remission scheme to include proposed the Transport Levy

File No.: CP2015/11139

Purpose

1. This report seeks feedback from local boards on the proposal to amend the remission scheme for residents of licence to occupy (LTO) retirement villages and/or papakāinga housing to remit the proposed Interim Transport Levy (targeted rate) in addition to the Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC).

Executive Summary

2. On 21 May 2015, the Finance and Performance Committee agreed to consult on the proposal to amend the remission scheme for residents of licence to occupy retirement villages and/or papakāinga housing to remit the proposed Interim Transport Levy in addition to the UAGC.

3. This amendment was proposed to address concerns regarding the affordability of the Interim Transport Levy for residents of licence to occupy retirement villages.

4. Attached to this report is the proposal to amend Auckland Council’s Rates Remission and Postponement Policy (remission scheme for residents of licence to occupy retirement villages and/or papakāinga housing). This document forms the basis for consultation with the public, and includes the proposed text for the amended rates remission scheme.

5. Staff will report back to the governing body on the results of consultation and the proposed changes to the Rates Remission and Postponement Policy on 25 June 2015.

Recommendation/s

That the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:

a) consider providing feedback on the proposal to amend the remission scheme in the Rates Remission and Postponement Policy for residents of licence to occupy retirement villages and/or papakāinga housing to remit the proposed Interim Transport Levy (targeted rate) in addition to the Uniform Annual General Charge, noting that results of consultation will be reported to the governing body on 25 June 2015.

Comments

Background

6. Residents of licence to occupy villages are usually responsible for paying the rates associated with their unit. However, they are currently unable to apply for assistance under the central government’s rates rebate scheme as they are not the ratepayer.

7. Auckland Council offers a rates remission for residents of licence to occupy retirement villages and papakainga. The current scheme remits the UAGC for those residents who would otherwise qualify for a rate rebate based on their level of household income and amount of rates. The value of this remission is just over 60 per cent of the maximum rebate available under the central government scheme.

8. The remission applies to the rates of the retirement village in which the applicant resides. It is a requirement of the remission scheme that an agreement exists between the village operator/papakainga and Auckland Council. This agreement requires that the benefit of the rates remission be passed to the resident.

9. There are more than 6500 units across 67 retirement villages that use license to occupy agreements. Of these, 60 villages have an agreement with Auckland Council that enables their residents to apply for the rates remission scheme for licence to occupy retirement villages. For the 2013/2014 year, 1156 applicants qualified for remission, at a total cost of $420,000.

Analysis

10. Amending the LTO remission scheme to remit the Interim Transport Levy in addition to the UAGC will increase the value of the remission per qualifying residence to $500 in 2015/2016. This is equivalent to 83 per cent of the maximum rebate available under the government’s scheme. This compares to Auckland Council applicants for the rates rebate, who on average qualify for 90 per cent of the maximum available rebate.

11. Assuming growth of ten per cent over 2013/2014, the total cost of the LTO remission scheme if the Interim Transport Levy is also remitted will be $635,000 in 2015/2016. This is an increase of $146,000 over the estimated cost of retaining the existing LTO remission scheme. This is 0.01 per cent of the 2015/2016 total rates budget. This cost will be met through council’s existing allowance for remissions, so will have no impact on other ratepayers.

Consultation

12. Public consultation on the proposal ended 8 June 2015. Consultation was advertised via public notices and the Shape Auckland website. Details of the proposal were sent to all licence to occupy retirement villages, papakainga and marae seeking feedback. At the time of writing 25 responses had been received, all supporting the proposal.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

13. This report seeks feedback on the proposal from local boards.

Maori impact statement

14. To date, council has not identified any papakainga housing developments that are using licence to occupy agreements. Council has not received any applications for remission from such developments.

15. Council has sent consultation material to mana whenua contacts, papakāinga and marae seeking feedback on the proposal.

Implementation

16. There are no implementation costs to amend the LTO remission scheme as proposed in this report. The recommended proposal does not require any changes to application process for the rates remission scheme, and as such it does not place any increased burden either on applicants, or the management of retirement villages who help administer the scheme.

Attachments