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Community Services Committee
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OPEN AGENDA

 I hereby give notice that a meeting of the

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

will be held as follows:

DATE: Wednesday, 3 December 2008
TIME: 9:30am
VENUE: Committee Room, Level 15
  Civic Administration Building
  1 Greys Avenue
  Auckland
Eric Perry
DEMOCRACY ADVISOR

Members:

Cr Paul Goldsmith [Chairperson]
Cr Noelene Raffills [Deputy Chairperson]
Cr Graeme Easte
Cr Greg Moyle, E.D.
Cr Graeme Mulholland, JP
Cr Richard Northey, ONZM
Cr Denise Roche

Ex Officio:

His Worship the Mayor, Hon John Banks, QSO
Deputy Mayor, David Hay, JP

  1. Top APOLOGIES

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

  2. Top CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

    The minutes of the Community Services Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 5 November 2008 to be confirmed as a true and correct record.

  3. Top 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."

  4. Top PUBLIC FORUM

    A period of time (approximately 20 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 5 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.

    The following requests have been received to address the meeting:

    4.1. HOMELESS IN AUCKLAND - TONY ROMERO, VICTORY OUTREACH CHRISTIAN RECOVERY CENTRE

    Tony Romero, representing Victory Outreach Christian Recovery Centre, will be in attendance to address the Committee regarding the services Victory Outreach provides to homeless around the city.

  5. Top REPORTS REQUESTED/PENDING

    Eric Perry  
    Democracy Advisor 25 November 2008

    Advising of reports requested/pending.

    Recommending that the report of the Democracy Advisor, dated 25 November 2008, be received.

    [ATTACHMENT 5] Pages 1-2

  6. Top HOMELESS REPORT

    Ruth Stokes  
    Group Manager - Arts, Community and Recreation Policy 18 November 2008

    Reporting on the Committee's response to the homelessness issue in Auckland, and to update the Homeless Action Plan. The Strong and Healthy Communities Strategy has five objectives, one specifically focussed on supporting safer communities. The strategy aims to provide a city that has independent, inclusive and resilient communities. Council's response to the homelessness issue is outlined in its Homeless Action Plan. The Homeless Action Plan 2005-2008 has now been reviewed, and the Homeless Action Plan 2008-2013 includes two new strands of work - an integrated response to anti-social behaviour, and an integrated response to move people into long-term accommodation. The remaining work strands are 'business as usual' strands that involve council's support of outreach services, its proactive involvement in leadership and public awareness, and the management of the homeless in public spaces.

    Recommending that the Committee endorse the Homeless Action Plan 2008-2013, which builds on the Homeless Action Plan 2005-2008, and includes an integrated response to anti-social behaviour as well as an integrated response to move people into long-term accommodation, noting that initiatives from the Homeless Action Plan 2008-2013 include the development of the Complaints Management System and council's support for Lifewise and its Pathways of Homelessness project; and that the Committee note the use of existing council initiatives such as the 24/7 CBD liquor ban, street cleaning, and agency collaboration to reduce homelessness in key central city streets.

    [ATTACHMENT 6] Pages 3-22

  7. Top COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUNDING REVIEW

    Ruth Stokes  
    Group Manager - Arts, Community and Recreation Policy 18 November 2008

    Reporting on the revised Community group assistance policy and final recommendations on amendments to the council's community assistance mechanisms. These amendments and recommendations are the result of the community assistance funding review, undertaken in 2008 and reported to the committee in April and October. The revised Community group assistance policy is attached as appendix one and is the umbrella policy which guides the provision of assistance to community groups. The objectives of the policy are to:

    • ensure a wide range of community activities, projects, programmes and events are supported at both a citywide and local level;
    • encourage innovative community programmes and initiatives;
    • encourage volunteers to organise and participate in community activities; and
    • increase the capacity of community groups in Auckland city.

    The policy is designed to align with the objectives of council's Strong and Healthy Communities and Lifestyle Choices strategies. As an umbrella policy, it does not provide prescriptive or operational detail on how council will implement the policy and assistance mechanisms. This enables operational changes to be made in the future without the need to redraft the policy. Operational matters for the first year are, however, discussed in this report.

    Recommending the following:

    • that the Committee note the community assistance funding review report, presenting a revised Community group assistance policy and final recommendations on amendments to the council's community assistance mechanisms that focus on funding community group initiatives, activities, projects and events with deliverable outcomes and strong alignment with council's strategic priorities, developed in response to issues raised by the review which included: a lack of focus on strategic funding ; a large number of small grants, an high proportion of funding allocated through the accommodation support fund; lack of recognition for council's funding support;
    • that the Committee approve the revised Community group assistance policy attached as appendix one, and that authority be delegated to the Chairperson and General Manager - Arts, Community and Recreation, to make and approve any minor amendments to the policy arising from the Committee meeting;
    • that the Committee note the reallocation of the available budget for the community grants programme to achieve a clear, simple and effective grants programme as follows: (i) $580,000 per annum for the strategic relationship fund; (ii) $550,000 per annum for the community group assistance fund; (iii) $510,000 per annum for the community board discretionary fund; and (iv) the residual being allocated to the community group accommodation support fund (i.e. $1,350,000 in 2009/10, $1,050,000 in 2010/11 and $700,000 per annum thereafter);
    • that the Committee recommend to Council that the delegations register be amended to reflect the consolidation of the community board local and event funds into the community board discretionary fund;
    • that the Committee agree in principle to the establishment of 'hybrid leases' for community groups operating commercial activities from council facilities to reflect that council is not in the business of subsidising commercial activities, irrespective of the type of entity conducting those activities; and
    • that officers report back in March 2009 with further information on the mechanisms to establish the new hybrid leases in the community and recreation lease policy, and that a formal review of the wider policy will be undertaken as part of the Community and library facilities plan, noting that the mechanism reported in March 2009 will address shortcomings in the current policy regarding community group use of council facilities for commercial purposes.
    [ATTACHMENT 7] Pages 23-48

  8. Top YOUTH COUNCIL ASSESSMENT

    Sarah Finlay  
    Programme Adviser - Youth 18 October 2008

    This item was deferred at the 5 November 2008 Committee meeting.

    Reporting on Auckland City Council Youth Council, which is one of the longest standing youth councils in New Zealand. In 1984, Dame Catherine Tizard initiated the Auckland City Youth Council so that councill could hear young people's voices. The purpose of the Youth Council has been to act as an advocate to Auckland City Council for young people aged between 12 and 24 years. There has been increasing awareness over the last 18 months of the challenges in maintaining the Youth Council's current structure. Youth Council has:

    • required significant council resource to facilitate the group;
    • struggled to link to an represent the diversity of local communities;
    • struggled with engaging young people in a formal structure; and
    • has not enabled young people to have an effective voice in council decision-making.

    An assessment of Auckland City Youth Council has been undertaken, which has revealed that there is a need for the Youth Council to have wider representation, increase its visibility with communities and ensure that council hears youth perspectives. At its formal meeting on 20 October 2008, the current Youth Council endorsed the recommendation of a quarterly Youth Council meeting with projects and forums. The formation of a new Youth Council could begin in January 2009.

    Recommending that the Committee acknowledge the work already undertaken by the current Youth Council, and approve a new meeting structure for the Youth Council to allow it to better reflect youth in schools and communities, as follows:

    • that youth councillors be nominated by school and community peers;
    • that youth councillors be selected on their ability to demonstrate leadership, advocacy, governance and service skills;
    • that a panel comprising a young person, a council officer and a youth organisation representative be established to select up to 25 youth councillors;
    • that community boards invite Youth Council representatives to attend meetings where there are relevant items, which would be included in the Youth Council terms of reference; and
    • that the Youth Council meet quarterly;

    that officers report on the progress of the new Auckland City Youth Council through the quarterly operations report; and that the report of the Programme Adviser - Youth, dated 18 October 2008 and the above recommendations be forwarded to all community boards for their information.

    [ATTACHMENT 8] Pages 49-60

  9. Top COMMUNITY SERVES PLAN FOR DELVIERY STRONG AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES STRATEGY

    Dr Jill McPherson  
    General Manger, - Arts, Community and Recreation 23 October 2008

    This item was deferred at the 5 November 2008 Committee meeting.

    Presenting the Community Services Plan for Delivering Strong and Health Communities Strategy to the Committee for its consideration and approval. It is proposed that this plan replace the Community Development Framework presented to the Committee for comment in May 2008. Council's community services function is based on the concept of community development and on social policies as chosen by or required of council. Community development is about building communities at a local level, empowering individuals and groups of people by providing them with the skills they need to effect change in their own communities. Social policies of this council cover vice (e.g. alcohol, gambling) and vulnerable sections of the community for the purposes of community development (e.g. youth, disability).

    Council has indentified the following objectives in the Strong and Health Communities Strategy as approved by the Finance and Strategy Committee:

    • fostering connected communities;
    • fostering a sense of pride and belonging;
    • making places for people;
    • supporting safe communities; and
    • supporting healthy communities.

    The purpose of the Community Services Plan for Delivering Strong and Health Communities Strategy is to explain the ways in which council will deliver on these objectives on the ground. The plan focuses on council's core day-to-day activities in relation to the delivery of community services and identifies its priorities for the next three years. Actions cover such things as community networks, safety programmes, managing the allocation of community grants, working with volunteers and managing community facilities.

    Recommending that the Committee approve the Community Services Plan for Delivering Strong and Health Communities Strategy that outlines the priority actions for the council community service team, including:

    • completing neighbourhood action plans;
    • delivering programmes in centres and libraries;
    • delivering safety programmes including zero graffiti tolerance;
    • looking after streets, parks and facilities to a proper standard with the help of communities;
    • running community networks;
    • building volunteer numbers; and
    • providing training courses for community groups.
    [ATTACHMENT 9] Pages 61-78

  10. Top THE SOCIAL PROFILE PROJECT FINAL REPORT

    Dr Leanne Rhodes  
    Community and Social Policy Manager 17 November 2008

    Reporting on the completion of the social profile project. The social profile is an important component for evidence-based community and social policy development and review. On 6 March 2008, the Committee endorsed the social profile project, and officers were asked to provide a final report in December 2008.

    Recommending that the Committee note that the social profile is an important component for evidence-based community and social policy research; and that officers will provide a state of the city report using the social profile in March 2009.

    [ATTACHMENT 10] Pages 79-82

  11. Top WAIHEKE ARTWORKS STRATEGIC PLAN

    Karen Eisenhut  
    Senior Project Planner 20 November 2008

    Reporting on the draft strategic plan for Waiheke Artworks to the Committee for its information. Waiheke Artworks is a council owned complex of land and buildings located at Oneroa, Waiheke Island, that is leased to a number of arts, cultural and commercial organisations. The purpose behind developing a strategic plan is to confirm the role of Artworks as an arts and cultural centre for the Waiheke community, and to provide a framework for how Artworks can be best supported and managed by council. The plan has been developed with feedback from community consultation in 2006 and 2007, and in liaison with key stakeholders including the Waiheke Community Board, current Artworks tenants and wider community stakeholders. The focus of the plan is on the function and activities of Artworks and does not include any physical redevelopment of the core Artworks buildings.

    Recommending that the Committee note the main points of the Waiheke Artworks strategic plan as a concentrated arts focus, primarily to support and profile local artists and arts activities, to encourage visitors and to relate well to the new library.

    [ATTACHMENT 11] Pages 83-98

  12. Top GRANT OF NEW LEASE - ROYAL NEW ZEALAND PLUNKET SOCIETY AUCKLAND CITY AREA INCORPORATED, 5 ALEXIS AVENUE, MT ALBERT

    Kim O'Neill  
    Lease Coordinator 31 October 2008

    Reporting on the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, Auckland City Area Incorporated, which currently occupies the council owned building at 5 Alexis Avenue, Mt Albert, and has done so since 1988. Plunket's lease over this space reached its final expiry date on 31 October 2008, and the group has applied to council for a new lease.

    Recommending the granting of a new lease to the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, Auckland City Are Incorporated, for a five year term commencing 1 November 2008 with two rights of renewal each of five years, at a rent of $250 plus GST per annum under all other terms and conditions per council's Community and Recreation Lease Policy.

    [ATTACHMENT 12] Pages 99-102
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