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Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
14 May 2020
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Attendance
at local board meetings during the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice
period
File No.: CP2020/05440
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
recommend an amendment to the local board’s standing orders in order to
provide for attendance of non-members at local board meetings via audio or
audio-visual link.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. This
report updates the local board on the temporary arrangements for local board
meetings enabled by the COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Act 2020
and provides options for implementing similar arrangements for non-members.
3. The
COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Act 2020 temporarily amends the
existing legislative restrictions for local government on
remote attendance for elected members and minimum quorum at local board
meetings. This now enables meetings to proceed by audio-visual link, changes
how meetings can be open to the public and how members of the public receive
the agenda and minutes.
4. The
current local board standing orders (Attachment A to the agenda report) do not
provide for non-members, specifically members of the public and Māori, to
give input via audio or audio-visual link.
5. The
Local Government Act 2002 (LGA) requires that a person other than a member of
the local board may participate by means of audio link or audio-visual link if
the standing orders of the local authority permit this and if
the chair is satisfied that all conditions and requirements in
the standing orders are met. (Clause 25A(2), Schedule 7, LGA).
Local board standing orders do not currently allow for this.
6. Auckland
Council will be using Skype for Business for local board meetings. Attendance
by members and non-members (if approved) will be facilitated by phone (audio
only) or Skype video (audio-visual) via Skype for Business app.
7. An
amendment to Standing Orders to enable electronic attendance can either be
reversed at a future date or maintained to support that attendance in the
future, where it is available.
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Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Hibiscus and Bays
Local Board:
a) note the temporary
amendments pursuant to the COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Act
2020 which allows members to attend meetings by audio-visual link, as of
right and despite anything to the contrary in standing orders and to be
counted for the purposes of quorum
b) amend
its standing orders by including a new Standing Order 3.3.10 that reads as
follows:
Attendance of non-members by
electronic link
A person other than a member of the local
board may participate in a meeting of the local board by means of audio link
or audio-visual link if the person is otherwise approved to participate in
accordance with Standing Orders Sections 6 and 7
c) amend
its Standing Order 7.8.5 to provide discretion to the chair of the meeting to
decline Public Forum requests via audio or audio-visual link.
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Horopaki
Context
COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Act 2020
8. In
late March 2020, central government enacted an omnibus bill that amended
various acts of parliament including the LGA and the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).
9. The
amendments to the LGA and LGOIMA enable local authorities to have meetings by
audio-visual link (given the restrictions regarding physical distancing and
Alert Level 4) and support the effective operation of those meetings by
removing conditions associated with the right to attend meetings by audio or
audio-visual link.
10. These
amendments only apply while the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice 2020 is
in force and will be repealed when that notice expires or is revoked.
Amendments to LGA
11. The
amendments to the LGA modify Clause 25A, Schedule 7 so that a member of a local
authority has the right to attend any meeting by audio or audio-visual link,
regardless of what is provided for in the local authority’s standing
orders. It also modifies clause 25A so that a member attending by audio link or
audio-visual link is counted for the purposes of quorum.
Amendments to LGOIMA
12. The amendments to LGOIMA include modifying s 47 so that the
requirement for meetings of local authorities to be ‘open to the
public’ may be met during Alert Level 4 and other restrictions on
physical distancing. The amendment redefines ‘open to the public’
to mean that the local authority:
a) if
it is reasonably practicable, enables access to the meeting by broadcasting
live the audio or video of the meeting (for example, by broadcasting it on an
Internet site); and
b) does
one or both of the following as soon as practicable after the meeting ends:
i. makes
an audio or a video recording of the meeting available on its Internet site
ii. makes
a written summary of the business of the meeting available on its Internet
site.
13. This amendment does not anticipate public involvement as part of the
meeting itself but ensures the public can access or view meeting proceedings
online (either live or after the meeting) or through reviewing the summary.
14. Other amendments to LGOIMA include:
· Modifying
s 46A so that agendas and reports for the meetings may be made available on the
local authority’s internet site instead of at offices and other physical
locations.
· Modifying
s 51 so that minutes of meetings may be made available on the local
authority’s internet site instead of at offices and other physical
locations.
· The
changes made by the COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Act 2020 now
supersede some of the provisions in the local board standing orders and the
restrictions on physical distancing and from Alert Level 4 now limit the
opportunity for public input.
Local Board Standing Orders
15. The LGA requires local authorities to adopt a set of standing orders
for the conduct of its meetings and those of its committees (Clause 27, Sch 7).
Each local board has adopted its standing orders which have been developed from
a template.
16. As a result of the statutory amendments listed in this report, the
follow standing orders have been temporarily superseded:
· 3.3.2
Member’s status – quorum and vote
· 3.3.3
Conditions for attending by electronic link
· 3.3.4
Request to attend by electronic link
· 7.3.1
Information to be available to the public
· 7.3.2
Availability of agendas and reports
· 8.2.1
Inspection of minute books
17. There are additional provisions in standing orders that may require
further consideration if the local board wishes to enable these to continue
during the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice period.
These relate to input and participation by Māori and the public.
18. Clause 25A(2), Schedule 7 of the LGA requires that a person other
than a member of the local authority may participate by audio link or
audio-visual link if the standing orders of the local authority permit this and
if the chair is satisfied that all conditions and requirements in
the standing orders are met.
19. The current standing orders do not currently provide for
non-members, if required and approved to do so, to give input by means of audio
link or audio-visual link.
20. Other
participants at local board meetings include Governing Body members and
staff. The LGA and the recent amendment provide the right for any member
of a local authority or committee to attend any meeting of a local authority by
audio-visual link (unless lawfully excluded). This can be interpreted broadly
to extend to meetings where the elected member may not be a decision-maker or
be participating in the decision at all. As such, Governing Body members
participation may be by audio or audio-visual link and the process for
providing them with speaking rights remains under standing orders.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
21. In performing their role, local boards are required to act in
accordance with the principles contained in s 14(1) of the LGA including the
requirement for the council to conduct its business in an open, transparent and
democratically accountable manner and make itself aware of and have regard to
the views of all of its communities.
22. While the LGA does not specifically require public input to be
provided for at local board meetings, the standing orders approved by the local
board reflects the principles in s 14 LGA by providing for public attendance
and enabling public input at meetings.
23. In order to continue to provide this opportunity as well as
facilitate input by Māori and the public, the standing orders require
amending.
Standing Orders Section 6 Māori Input
24. Speaking
rights for Māori organisations or their nominees are granted under
standing orders for the purpose of enabling Māori input, if any, to any
item on the agenda of a meeting.
25. To ensure
this right can be exercised during the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice
period, provision needs to be made enabling any input to be given by audio or
audio-visual link.
Standing Orders 7.7 Deputations and 7.8 Public Forum
26. The
provisions for public input in standing orders are one of the ways that local
boards give effect to the requirements of the LGA (s 78 and s 79).
27. The LGA
provides that in the course of its decision-making, a local authority must
consider the views and preferences of persons likely to be affected by or have
an interest in the matter. The LGA does not specify how those views are to be
obtained or what form that consideration should take. It does not require a
public forum at meetings.
28. However, the
LGA gives local authorities discretion as to how to comply with s 78 and what
to consider. Through their standing orders, local boards and the Governing Body
have chosen to enable public input through deputations and public forum at
their meetings as one way to obtain community views, among other things.
29. To ensure
this opportunity can continue to be made available during the Epidemic
Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice period, provision must be made in standing
orders to receive this by audio or audio-visual link.
Proposed amendment
30. This report recommends that input from non-members continue
to be enabled during the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice period. This
requires an amendment to the standing orders.
31. An amendment to standing orders requires a 75% majority
vote.
32. A similar amendment has been made by the Governing Body to their standing orders. It is desirable to ensure
consistency across the governance arms of Auckland Council. The Governing Body
resolutions are as follows:
Resolution GB/2020/33
(n) That the Governing Body
amend standing orders by inserting a new Standing Order 3.3.10 as follows:
Attendance of
non-members by electronic link A person other than a member of the Governing
Body, or the relevant committee, may participate in a meeting of the Governing
Body or committee by means of audio link or audio-visual link in emergencies if
the person is otherwise approved to participate under these standing orders
(such as under Standing Order 6.2 “Local board input” or 7.7
“Public input”.)
Resolution GB/2020/33
(p) That the Governing Body
agree to change Auckland Council’s Standing Orders to provide full
discretion to the chair of the Emergency Committee to decline public input
requests
33. The local board’s standing orders currently gives discretion
to the chair to decline deputations but not public forum requests. Giving
discretion to the chair to manage requests for public forum during this time
can ensure the requirements of the LGA regarding the provision of the
technology requirements, can be supported.
Technology options available
34. Where attendance by audio or audio-visual link is
permitted, the LGA requires that the chair of the meeting ensures:
· that
the technology for the audio link or audio-visual link is available and of
suitable quality
· that
the procedure for use of the technology will ensure that participants can hear
and be heard by each other.
35. The chair’s discretion will need to be exercised
where the technology and quality cannot be guaranteed.
36. The audio and audio-visual link options available for
non-member input are provided by Auckland Council through Skype for Business:
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Option
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Ability
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Audio link only
Attend Skype for
Business meeting via phone.
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· No ability to see presentations being shared or to see and
be seen by local board members attending the meeting
· Only technical equipment required is a landline or
mobile telephone
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Audio-visual link
Video and audio
attend Skype for Business meeting
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· Allows non-member to see both presentations being
shared and to see and be seen by the local board members attending
· Requires a mobile phone or a computer device with an
internet connection
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37. If enabled under standing orders, non-members who wish to
give input would need to contact the local board with a request to attend. If
approved by the chair, information on how to join the meeting using audio and
audio-visual link options above will be sent out to the attendee by staff.
Summary of meeting
38. Where it is not reasonably practicable for the public to attend
the meeting through a broadcast and/or peruse a recording after it has
happened, a summary of the meeting will need to be provided by staff.
39. A summary in this context would
be different from the content of agendas, reports and minutes which are all
separately required to be publicly available. It should contain the thrust or
key points of the discussion or debate at the meeting keeping in mind that its
purpose is to provide an alternative to an audio or video recording of the
meeting, in a situation where the public is not able to attend and hear this
discussion themselves.
40. The ordinary definition of a
summary is a brief statement or account of the main points of something. While
the appropriate level of detail is likely to vary depending on what is being
discussed at meetings, a summary is not expected to include verbatim notes.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
41. This decision
is procedural in nature and any climate impacts will be negligible. The
decision is unlikely to result in any identifiable changes to greenhouse gas
emissions.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
42. Staff
attendance at meetings, while not specifically provided for, is a necessary
part of local board meetings and as such is expected to take place using
audio-visual link.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
43. This
report seeks to amend the local boards standing orders to enable public input
and Māori input at meetings.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
44. This report
seeks a decision that will ensure Māori input can continue to be given
during the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice period.
45. This will
ensure Māori are not prevented from giving input at a meeting on any
matter that may be of interest to them.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
46. The decision
to amend standing orders is of a procedural nature and is not considered to
have financial implications on Auckland Council.
47. The scaling
up of technology to ensure compliance with COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management
Measures) Act 2020 is being done at a cost to the council. The costs are not
known at this stage and will be factored into operational budgets.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
48. The objective of the recent legislative changes is to reduce public
health risks and ensure compliance with social distancing measures and other
restrictions in New Zealand’s COVID-19 alert levels response plan.
49. While this is
not specifically required by legislation, permitting public input by audio or
audio-visual link, if practicable, can ensure the local board can receive and
consider views of its constituents on decisions that they are making.
50. There is a
risk that the audio-visual option would only be taken up by a small number of
constituents as this would only be available to those who have the technical
devices and internet access. The software that will be used for meetings is
Skype for Business which is free to download and use. However, the internet
access costs or availability of technology/devices can be a limiting factor for
some constituents. Constituents who do not have internet access can
participate, if approved, by phone.
51. The
report is seeking discretion for the local board chair to decline public forum
requests. This delegation should be exercised with caution so as to not
undermine the intention of standing orders (which currently provided some
limited grounds to decline public input). There will be instances where it is
reasonable to decline (noting these examples are not intended to be
exhaustive), such as:
· where
the technology cannot be provided or quality cannot be assured
· a
need to manage time allocations for the agenda
· the
matter is neither urgent nor the subject of a decision to be made at the
meeting
· the
request is offensive, repetitious or vexatious.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
52. If
approved, the amendments to standing orders can, if the local board chooses,
continue beyond the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice period. Enabling
these changes gives maximum flexibility for attendance of non-members at future
meetings, including those with underlying health issues or compromised immune
systems that may need to take extra precaution even after the Epidemic
Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice period has ended.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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a⇨
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Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Standing Orders
(Under Separate Cover)
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Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Author
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Polly Kenrick - Business Manager, Local Board Services
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Authorisers
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Louise Mason – General Manager Local Board
Services
Lesley Jenkins - Relationship Manager, Hibiscus and
Bays Local Board
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Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
14 May 2020
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Local Board decisions and input into the
Annual Budget 2020/2021
File No.: CP2020/05699
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
seek approval for local financial matters for the local board agreement 2020/2021,
which need to be considered by the Governing Body in the Annual Budget
2020/2021 process.
2. To
seek feedback on the proposed regional topics in the Annual Budget 2020/2021.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
3. Our
Annual Budget contains 21 local board agreements which are the responsibility
of local boards to agree with the Governing Body. These agreements set out
local funding priorities, budgets, levels of service and performance measures.
4. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 21 February to 22 March
2020 to seek community views on the proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 and local board priorities to be included in the local board
agreements (Consultation part 1).
5. Since
this consultation was undertaken, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted significant
pressure on the council’s financial position, which will have flow on
effects for the proposed budget for the 2020/2021 financial year. The council
is now considering what those impacts are likely to be, and plan to ask Aucklanders
for their views on certain aspects of Auckland Council’s proposed
‘emergency budget’ in response to the financial impacts of COVID-19
(Consultation part 2).
6. Local
boards are required to receive the feedback on the proposals in consultation
part 1, which are not affected by the changes being considered by the council
and therefore will not be subject to further consultation and make decisions on
them. This must be done before consultation part 2 can get underway, so the
scope of consultation part 2 is clear.
7. This report seeks decisions on local financial matters for
the local board agreement, including:
a) any
new/amended Business Improvement District (BID) targeted rates
b) any
new/amended local targeted rate proposals
c) proposed
Locally Driven Initiative (LDI) capital projects outside local boards’
decision-making responsibility
d) release
of local board specific reserve funds.
8. The council received feedback in person at community engagement
events and through written forms, including online and hard copy forms, emails
and letters.
9. This report summarises consultation feedback on the proposed Annual
Budget 2020/2021, including on local board priorities for 2020/2021.
Feedback on Hibiscus and Bays Local Board priorities for
2020/2021
10. The local board consulted on the following priorities:
· Priority
1: Extend our environmental work through plant pest control carried out by
specialist community groups who provide their knowledge, experience and support
to residents
· Priority
2: Promoting a sustainable waste programme with businesses in the East Coast
Bays
· Priority
3: Continuing the contestable and facilities grant programmes to enable
community events, activities and projects
· Priority
4: Supporting our arts centres to deliver their vibrant classes and shows.
11. 193 submissions were received on Hibiscus and Bays local board
priorities for 2020/2021, showing that the majority of people either support
most (52 per cent) or support all (30 per cent) of the local board’s
priorities.
Feedback on
regional proposals in the proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 from the Hibiscus
and Bays local board area
12. This report seeks local board views on the proposed regional Annual
Budget topics including:
· the changes to rates
and fees, key proposals:
o waste management
targeted rate
o refuse collection in
former Auckland City and Manukau City
o Waitākere rural
sewerage service and targeted rate
· the draft
Tūpuna Maunga o Tamaki Makaurau Authority – Operational Plan
2020/2021
· other budget
information.
13. Local board views on these regional matters will be
considered by the Governing Body (or relevant committee) before making final
decisions on the Annual Budget 2020/2021.
14. Out of the 4675 submissions received on the regional proposals in
the Annual Budget 2020/2021, 193 submissions were from people living in the Hibiscus
and Bays local board area.
15. There was strong support for the waste management targeted rate with
84 people supporting the proposal, with 26 against, out of 119 submissions in
total.
16. There
was also strong support for the refuse collection in former Auckland City and
Manukau City with a positive response from 77, with 15 against, out of 106
submissions in favour of the proposal.
17. For
the Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted rate only approximately
two thirds supported this proposal with 61 in favour, with 33 against, out of
101.
18. Only one submission was received on the draft Tūpuna Maunga o
Tamaki Makaurau Authority – Operational Plan 2020/2021.
19. Auckland Council also consulted on the Council-Controlled
Organisations (CCO) review at the same time. The feedback received on this will
be presented at a later date.
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Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Hibiscus and Bays
Local Board:
a) receive
consultation feedback on the proposed Hibiscus and
Bays Local Board priorities for 2020/2021
b) receive
consultation feedback on regional proposals in the Annual Budget 2020/2021
(Part 1) from people or organisations based in the Hibiscus and Bays local
board area
c) provide
the following feedback to the Governing Body:
i) supports/opposes
the proposed changes to the waste management targeted rate
ii) supports/opposes
the proposed changes to refuse collection in former Auckland City and Manukau
City
iii) supports/opposes
the proposed changes to the Waitākere rural sewerage service and
targeted rate
iv) supports the draft Tūpuna Maunga o Tamaki Makaurau Authority –
Operational Plan 2020/2021
d) support
the submission of the Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre and their request for
regional operational funding of $100,000 and advocates to the Governing Body to
confirm that funding for the 2020/2021 financial year
e) defer
providing feedback on the proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 (Part 2 –
Emergency Budget) until further consultation is completed and feedback from
Part 2 is reported back to the local board for their consideration
f) delegate authority to the local board chairperson to provide
formal local board feedback on the proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 (Part 2)
in response to the COVID -19 pandemic response.
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Horopaki
Context
20. Local board
agreements form part of the Auckland Council’s Annual Budget and set out
local funding priorities, budgets, levels of service and performance measures.
21. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 21 February to 22 March
2020 to seek community views on the proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 and local board priorities to be included in the local board
agreements. This is now referred to as consultation part 1.
22. Since this
consultation was undertaken, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted significant
pressure on the council’s financial position, which will have flow on
effects for the proposed budget for the 2020/2021 financial year. Work to date
on the proposed Annual Budget will need to be adjusted to consider the new
financial realities facing Auckland.
23. The financial
report presented to the Emergency Committee during April 2020 indicated
potential reductions in cash revenue of $350-650m for financial year 2020/2021,
depending on the length and extent of the disruption caused by COVID-19. The
Emergency Committee requested staff provide further information to the
Governing Body on the impacts of the various scenarios modelled against a rate
increase of between 0 per cent and 3.5 per cent. They also resolved that
further public consultation on the Annual Budget would include considering
whether to adopt a 2.5 per cent rather than 3.5 per cent general rates increase
for the 2020/2021 financial year, among a suite of other measures aimed at offering
support to all ratepayers, including businesses, facing hardship due to the
impacts of COVID-19.
24. The council
is planning to ask Aucklanders for their views on certain aspects of Auckland
Council’s proposed ‘emergency budget’ in response to the
financial impacts of COVID-19. It is anticipated this will be carried out from
late May until mid-June 2020. This will be in addition to the Annual Budget
2020/2021 consultation we have already carried out from February to March 2020.
This is referred to as consultation part 2.
25. Consultation
part 2 is unlikely to revisit any of the specific proposals in consultation
part 1. Therefore, the local boards and the Governing Body are required to
receive the feedback on these proposals and make decisions on them. This must
be done before consultation part 2 can get underway so it is clear what
decisions have already been made, and what decisions will be made after
consultation part 2.
26. Further, some
of the proposed changes to fees and charges required a Special Consultative
Procedure (SCP) and the requirements for this were met in consultation part
1. It is important to complete this statutory process, especially where
consultation part 2 will not be relevant to the decisions on these fees and
charges.
27. This report includes analysis of the consultation feedback on the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board priorities for
2020/2021, and on the regional proposals in the Annual Budget 2020/2021 from
people or organisations based in the Hibiscus and Bays local board area.
Local financial matters for the local
board agreement
28. This report
allows the local board to agree its input and recommend other local financial
matters to the Governing Body in May 2020. This is to allow time for the Governing
Body to consider these items in the Annual Budget process.
Local targeted rate and Business Improvement District
(BID) targeted rate proposals
29. Local boards are required to endorse any new local targeted rate
proposals or BID targeted rate proposals in their local board area (noting that
any new local targeted rates and/or BIDs must have been consulted on before
they can be implemented.
Funding for Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI)
30. Local boards
are allocated funding annually to spend on local projects or programmes that
are important to their communities. Local boards can approve LDI capital
projects up to $1 million, projects over that amount require approval from the
Governing Body.
31. Local boards
can recommend to the Governing Body to convert LDI operational funding to
capital expenditure for 2020/2021 if there is a specific need to do so.
Governing Body approval may be needed for the release of local board specific
reserve funds, which are funds being held by the council for a specific
purpose.
Local board input on regional plans
32. Local boards
have a statutory responsibility for identifying and communicating the interests
and preferences of the people in its local board area in relation to the
context of the strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws of Auckland
Council. This report provides an opportunity for the local board to
provide input on the proposed Annual Budget.
33. Local Board
Plans reflect community priorities and preferences and are key documents that
guide both the development of local board agreements and input into regional
plans.
Council-controlled organisation (CCO)
review
34. An
independent panel was appointed by Auckland Council to examine three areas: (1)
the CCO model, roles and responsibilities, (2) the accountability of CCOs, and
(3) CCO culture. Local boards had the opportunity to provide input into this in
March 2020.
35. Auckland
Council also consulted on the review of CCOs during the same period as the
Annual Budget, from 21 February to 22 March 2020.
36. After
receiving feedback, the panel will report on key issues, community and
stakeholder feedback to the council in May 2020.
37. The panel
will provide a final report and recommendations to the council in July 2020.
Types of feedback
38. Overall
Auckland Council received feedback from 4600 people and 165 organisations in
the consultation period. This feedback was received through:
· Written
feedback – 3820 hard copy and online forms, emails and letters
· In
person – through 58 events.
Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu
Analysis and advice
39. The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board consulted on the following
priorities:
40. Priority 1: Extend our environmental work through plant pest control
carried out by specialist community groups who provide their knowledge,
experience and support to residents
41. Priority 2: Promoting a sustainable waste programme with businesses
in the East Coast Bays
42. Priority 3: Continuing the contestable and facilities grant
programmes to enable community events, activities and projects
43. Priority 4: Supporting our arts centres to deliver their vibrant
classes and shows.
44. Key themes across all feedback received (through written and in
person channels) were:
· Support
for environmental work, pest and weed control
· General
support for the priorities, although some submitters thought these were vague
45. Key themes across all feedback received (through written and in
person channels) were:
· Support
for environmental work, pest and weed control
· General
support for the priorities, although some thought they were vague.
Feedback received
46. 193 submissions were received on Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
priorities for 2020/2021, showing that the majority of people either support
most (52 per cent) or support all (30 per cent) of the local board’s
priorities.
47. The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board supported one community event, The
Birdman Competition in Mairangi Bay. Another event, The Orewa sandcastle
competition was cancelled due to COVID-19.
48. Submissions can be found on the Auckland
Council website at https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/have-your-say/topics-you-can-have-your-say-on/annual-budget-2020-2021/Pages/submissions-received-.aspx
Feedback on other local topics
49. Key themes across feedback received on other local topics include:
· Theme
1: Footpaths, trees and weeds require more regular maintenance
· Theme
2: Clean beaches with high water quality. Stormwater upgrade
· The
table below shows a breakdown of response by theme. Note that the majority of
the responses under Rating and Funding were about the proposed changes to
swimming pool fence inspection charging.
|
Theme
|
Count
|
|
6-Transport
|
27
|
|
7-Water
|
11
|
|
8-Regional
Community Services
|
12
|
|
9-Regional
planning
|
16
|
|
10-Other
Regional Services
|
17
|
|
11-Rating
and Funding
|
46
|
|
12-Revenue
and Finance
|
15
|
|
13-Tupuna
Maunga
|
1
|
|
14-Council
Controlled Services
|
4
|
|
15-General
Comments
|
5
|
Requests for local funding
50. Requests for local funding included:
· Request
1: $100,000 Operational Grant for Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre
51. This is a submission of the Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre and their
request for regional operational funding of $100,000. It is suggested that the
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board advocates to the Governing Body to confirm that
funding for the 2020/2021 financial year.
Information on submitters
52. The tables and graphs below indicate what demographic categories
people identified with. This information only relates to those submitters who
provided demographic information.
Overview of feedback received on the
Annual Budget from Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area
53. The proposed Annual Budget 2020/2021 sets out our priorities and how
we're going to pay for them. The regional consultation on the proposed Annual
Budget focused on changes to rates and fees, the key proposals were:
· waste
management targeted rate
· refuse
collection in former Auckland City and Manukau City
· Waitākere
rural sewerage service and targeted rate.
54. The submissions received from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area
on these key issues is summarised below, along with an overview of any other
areas of feedback on regional proposals with a local impact.
Waste management targeted rate
55. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to increase the waste
management targeted rate.
Question 1: Waste management targeted rate
The cost of responsibly dealing with our kerbside recycling (paper,
cardboard and plastics) has increased due to international market conditions.
To pay for this we propose to charge only those who use the service
by increasing the targeted rate by $19.97 a year or $0.38 a week (the total
cost changing from $121.06 to $141.03 incl. GST).
If we do not do this, we would have to fund the shortfall by
increasing general rates for all ratepayers, including those who don’t
get a kerbside collection service.
56. The graph below gives an overview of the responses from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area.
Refuse collection in former Auckland City and Manukau
City
57. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to increase the refuse
collection in former Auckland City and Manukau City targeted rate.
Question 2: Refuse collection in former Auckland City and Manukau
City
In the old Auckland City and Manukau City Council areas, households
pay for rubbish through a targeted rate. In other parts of the city, residents
pay for their collection via Pay As You Throw. The targeted rate for the Auckland
City and Manukau City Council areas no longer meets the cost of collection.
To cover this extra cost we propose increasing the targeted rate in
these areas by $14.23 a year or $0.27 a week for a 120 litre bin (the total
cost changing from $129.93 to $144.16 incl. GST), and an additional $6.68 a
year or $0.13 a week for a large 240 litre bin (the total cost changing from
$191 to $211.91 incl. GST).
If we do not do this, we would have to increase general rates for
all ratepayers, including those living outside these two areas who would
subsidise residents of old Auckland and Manukau cities.
58. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area.
Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted
rate
59. Aucklanders were asked about a proposal to increase the
Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted rate.
Question 3: Waitākere rural sewerage service and targeted rate
Last year we consulted on removing the septic tank pump-out service
funded by a targeted rate. While feedback indicated a willingness to go ahead
with the removal of this service in the Henderson-Massey and Upper Harbour
local board areas, residents of the Waitākere Ranges local board area said
they wanted to keep the service. The cost of delivering this service is higher
than the current targeted rate of $198.43.
Our proposal, for those in the Waitākere Ranges local board
area who want the service, is to recover the full cost by increasing the
targeted rate to between $260 and $320 a year (incl. GST). This increase would
apply from July 2021.
If we do not do this, the council could end the service, or continue
to subsidise the cost of the service to septic tank users in the Waitākere
Ranges local board area from all general ratepayers, including those who
don’t use the service.
60. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area.
Other feedback
61. Aucklanders were asked what is important to them and if they had any
feedback on any other issues. This could include the key topics of how we
charge for pool fencing inspections and adjusting our fees and charges.
62. As noted above 36 responses were received on the topic of Swimming
pool inspection charges. There were 452 responses to this across all of
Auckland.
Feedback on the draft Tūpuna Maunga o Tamaki
Makaurau Authority – Operational Plan 2020/2021
63. Only one piece of feedback was received from the Hibiscus and Bays Local
Board area on the draft Tūpuna Maunga o Tamaki Makaurau Authority –
Operational Plan 2020/2021.
Tauākī
whakaaweawe āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
64. The decisions
recommended in this report are procedural in nature. New targeted rates and the
release of reserve funds will not have any climate impacts themselves.
65. Some of the
proposed projects these would fund may have climate impacts. The climate
impacts of any projects Auckland Council chooses to progress with as a result
of this, will be assessed as part of the relevant reporting requirements.
66. Some of the
proposed projects these would fund will be specifically designed to mitigate
climate impact, build resilience to climate impacts,
and restore the natural environment.
Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā
tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
67. The Annual Budget is an Auckland Council Group document and
will include budgets at a consolidated group level. Consultation items
and updates to budgets to reflect decisions and new information may include
items from across the group.
Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me
ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
68. Local board decisions and feedback are being sought in this report.
Local boards have a statutory role in providing local board feedback on
regional plans.
69. Local boards play an important role in the development of the Annual
Budget. Local board agreements form part of the Annual Budget. Local board
nominees have also attended Finance and Performance Committee workshops on the
Annual Budget.
Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori
Māori impact statement
70. Many local board decisions are of importance to and impact on
Māori. Local board agreements and the Annual Budget are important tools
that enable and can demonstrate council’s responsiveness to Māori.
71. Local board plans, which were developed in 2017 through engagement
with the community including Māori, form the basis of local priorities. There is a need to continue to build
relationships between local boards and iwi, and the wider Māori community.
72. The analysis included submissions made by mana whenua and the wider
Māori community who have interests in the rohe / local board area.
73. Ongoing conversations between local boards and Māori will
assist to understand each other’s priorities and issues. This in turn can
influence and encourage Māori participation in council’s
decision-making processes.
74. Some of the
proposed projects these would fund may have impacts on Māori. The impacts
on Māori of any projects Auckland Council chooses to progress with as a
result of this, will be assessed as part of the relevant reporting
requirements.
Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea
Financial implications
75. This report
is seeking local board decisions on financial matters in local board agreements
that need to then be considered by the Governing Body.
76. Local boards
are also providing input to regional plans. There is information in the
consultation material for each plan with the financial implications of
different options.
Ngā raru tūpono me ngā
whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
77. Local boards
are required to make recommendations on these local financial matters for the
Annual Budget by 15 May 2020, to enable the Governing Body to make decisions on
them when considering the Annual Budget in May.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
78. Local boards
will approve their local board agreements and corresponding work programmes.
79. Recommendations and feedback from local boards will be provided to
the relevant governing body committees for consideration during decision making
at the Governing Body meeting.
80. The dates of these meetings are yet to be determined as the impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown are taken into account.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
There are no attachments for this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Gemma Kaldesic - Democracy Advisor for Hibiscus and
Bays Local Board
|
|
Authorisers
|
Louise Mason – General Manager Local Board
Services
Lesley Jenkins - Relationship Manager, Hibiscus and
Bays Local Board
|
