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Resolution
number HW/2025/38
MOVED by Chairperson
D Light, seconded by Deputy Chairperson B Burns:
That the Howick
Local Board:
a)
tuhi tīpoka /
note the urgent decision made on 27 February 2025 to formalise the Howick
Local Board’s feedback on the Draft Storm-affected Land Use Policy; as
follows:
i)
the Board note that
the views and preferences of the Howick Local Board have been endorsed by the
local board members to be formally adopted at a future meeting.
A)
this position
applies in lieu of a formal resolution of the full board, because time
constraints have prevented a scheduled meeting in time to meet the deadline
for feedback requested by staff.
B)
by signing below,
members acknowledge the urgency of this matter, confirm their agreement to
proceed and acknowledge this decision will be formally recorded at the next
available board meeting.
ii)
tuku / provide the
following requests and feedback on the Draft Storm-affected Land Use Policy
to the Governing Body, for consideration by the Policy and Planning Committee
at its upcoming meeting:
A)
regarding Future
Policy development and Statutory Compliance, the Board:
1)
tuhi tipoka / note
with serious concern that local board input was only sought as final comments
rather than being integrated from the outset of the policy development
process. This process falls short of the statutory requirements set out in
Section 48(J) of the Local Government Act 2002 and Section 15 of the Local
Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, which mandate meaningful local board
involvement.
2)
tono / request
strongly that future policy development processes adhere to a more inclusive
consultation approach, engaging local boards from the beginning and providing
a clear timeline and framework for meaningful participation, in compliance
with legislative obligations.
B)
regarding General
matters relating to the policy, the Board:
1) tono / request that mana whenua are consulted
on the Draft Storm-affected Land Use Policy.
2) tono / request that the definition of Category
(b) includes an explicit reference to Local Board Plans so that other locally
determined priorities that go beyond core service needs may be considered
3) tono / request that local boards are enabled
to acquire Category (a) properties for any local activities or community
priorities provided they have a viable funding plan e.g. a service
optimisation business case or local rates proposal
C)
regarding Policy
Principles, the Board:
1)
tono / request that the policy principles are
strengthened by amending Principle 2 (Make best use of storm-affected land)
to include an explicit reference to Local Board Plans or community
priorities, thereby broadening and maximising the community value derived
from the programme
D)
regarding
decision-Making Roles and Responsibilities, the Board:
1) tautoko / support further discussion on the
management of residual land and land retained for hazard management purposes,
acknowledging that all council land within local board areas are vital
components of local open space networks and ecological corridors
2) tautoko / support the establishment of a clear
escalation process when local board views on land use differ from staff
recommendations, ensuring such matters are referred for a political decision
rather than being resolved through staff delegation
3) tuhi tīpoka / note that, alternatively,
the policy could enable local boards to present their case to the Storm
Recovery Political Advisory Group, in the event that a request is not
supported by the staff assessment, before a final decision is made
E)
regarding Local
Board Funding Requirements, the Board:
1) tautoko / support the removal of the
requirement for local boards to commit operational funding (opex) as a
precondition for the internal transfer of properties already assessed as
meeting a service need by the Auckland Council Group. This requirement creates
an unnecessary barrier to addressing service gaps.
2) tono / request that if a property meets a
service need and local boards support retaining or repurposing it, the
Governing Body should expect that the necessary maintenance costs will be
incorporated into the local boards existing maintenance contracts with any
budget top-up requirements to be considered by the local board as part of its
work programme process.
3) tono / request that if land is retained to
meet a service need and it requires remediation, that the Governing Body,
which holds statutory responsibility for the network of facilities and
service capacity, should fund the remediation rather than leaving these costs
to local boards.
4) āhukahuka / acknowledge that where local
boards wish to retain land for a community outcome that goes beyond core
service needs, it is entirely appropriate to provide upfront assurance of
funding availability
F)
regarding the
Implementation Approach: Service needs assessment, the Board:
1) tono / request assurance that service needs
assessments consider not only Local Board Plans, but any other relevant
service needs assessments undertaken by local boards, such as: the Howick Walking
and Cycling Network Plan, and Howick Sport and Active Recreation Facilities
Plan 2024.
CARRIED
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