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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 11 MARCH 2009 AT 1.35PM
IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, LEVEL 15
CIVIC ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
1 GREYS AVENUE
AUCKLAND

PRESENT: Councillors Paul Goldsmith [Chairperson]
[until 2:40pm, item 9]
    Noelene Raffills [Deputy Chairperson]
    Graeme Easte  
    Greg Moyle, E.D.  
    Graeme Mulholland, JP  
    Richard Northey, ONZM  
    Denise Roche  
ALSO PRESENT: Councillors Dr Cathy Casey  
    Leila Boyle  

  1. Top APOLOGIES

    There were no apologies.

  2. Top CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

    That the minutes of the Community Services Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 3 December 2008 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

    CARRIED

  3. Top EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

    There was no extraordinary business.

  4. Top PUBLIC FORUM

    4.1. CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU AUCKLAND CITY (CABAC) FUNDING PROPOSAL - LYNNE BARRACLOUGH, CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU AUCKLAND CITY (CABAC) AND KERRY DALTON, NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAUS

    Lynne Barraclough, city manager, Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland City (CABAC) and Kerry Dalton, chief executive, New Zealand Association of Citizens Advice Bureaus, were in attendance to address the Committee in support of ongoing financial support from council, and to demonstrate the contribution made to the city by CABAC under its current partnership agreement.

    1. That Lynne Barraclough, city manager, Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland City (CABAC) and Kerry Dalton, chief executive, New Zealand Association of Citizens Advice Bureaus, be thanked for their presentation to the Community Services Committee in support of ongoing financial support from council, and to demonstrate the contribution made to the city by CABAC under its current partnership agreement.
    2. That the Community Services Committee notes that Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland City (CABAC) has received a core grant at the same dollar level for some years, and requests that officers report to the June 2009 Combined Committees on the option of providing additional funding to CABAC, to reflect in part inflation increases since the funding level was set, to be considered alongside other priorities for additional funding at that time.
    3. That officers inform the Community Services Committee as soon as possible to clarify understanding around the funding arrangement which exists between council and Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland City (CABAC).

    CARRIED

  5. Top REPORTS REQUESTED PENDING

    That the reports requested/pending list of the Democracy Advisor, dated 4 March 2009, be amended as follows:

    Row Target Date Report Reason for amendment
    6 From Apr 09 now May 09 Gambling Venue Policy Review - Scope Date changed to align with the conclusion of research phase
    12 From on hold now TBA Youth Arts Music Programme in Glen Innes Programme deferred following approval of draft LTCCP, as this project is under active consideration for possible approval in the final LTCCP document
    13 From on hold now May 09 Wesley Youth Space Project Update Report moved forward following approval of draft LTCCP

    CARRIED

  6. Top COMMUNITY AND RECREATION LEASE POLICY

    The Chairperson moved the following:

    1. That the Community Services Committee notes the review of the Community and recreation lease policy which addresses inconsistencies with the treatment of commercial activities (including childcare), maintenance issues, situations where community groups are undertaking commercial and community activities from the same facility, and inconsistencies in rentals currently paid by a range of community groups.
    2. That the Community Services Committee approves for stakeholder consultation:
      1. the revised Community and recreation lease policy attached as appendix one, which retains:
        1. $500 per annum rental for community groups undertaking community activities, with a further reduction to $250 per annum for groups with predominantly youth membership;
        2. a fifteen year lease period reviewed every five years;
        3. recognition of the value of council providing subsidised space to community and recreation groups;
        4. recognition that groups operating commercial activities and significant bar/gaming operations require rental adjustments to reflect these activities;

    and includes the following changes:

    1. an increased focus on the activities that are undertaken from council's leased facilities;
    2. the establishment of hybrid leases for community groups who operate both community and commercial/non-community activities from council land and/or facilities, noting that additional rental will be charged at five percent of revenue generated from the commercial/non-community activities undertaken from the leased property;
    3. clarification that community groups operating only or predominantly commercial activities from a facility are not eligible for a discounted community and recreation lease; and
    4. clarification of community activities subsidised by council and commercial/non-community activities that are not subsidised by council;
    1. that authority be delegated to the Chairperson, Councillor Northey and the Chief Executive to make and approve any minor amendments to the policy arising from the Community Services Committee meeting;
    2. that in order to ensure consistency and fairness, council will apply the principle of not subsidising commercial activities to community centres;
    3. that any additional revenue council generates from changes to the policy be retained within the leasing portfolio in order to fund improved maintenance and the removal of abandoned community buildings on open space land;
    4. that where a group faces a significant increase in rental (i.e. over $5,000) the increase will be phased in over a three-year period, noting that this phase-in period applies only to the first time that a lease is adjusted to the rental methodology outlined in the new policy; and
    5. that council will only consider transferring a community or recreation group from a commercial lease to a community and recreation lease where a negotiated solution is able to be reached that delivers a clear public benefit.
    1. That officers consider the following for the final draft of the Community and recreation lease policy to be reported to the Community Services Committee in May 2009:
      1. stakeholder feedback;
      2. the per annum charges for fully discounted leases for community and recreation groups leasing land/or buildings for community activities or community groups made up of predominantly young people;
      3. the threshold of revenue options lower than $100,000;
      4. the impact of the lease policy on childcare facilities;
      5. that council should not compete with commercial ratepayers on how it subsidises activities; and
      6. greater clarity around what constitutes commercial/non-commercial and community/non-community activities.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendments to resolution B by way of addition and replacement:

    • Amend the last line of resolution B(iv) to read "removal, refurbishment or restoration of abandoned community buildings on open space land."
    • Add a new resolution B(vi) "that with respect to childcare, the proposed mandatory requirement 'do not provide all day care' be made an elective requirement in place of the elective sessional service requirement.

    LOST

    Councillor Roche moved the following amendment to resolution B by way of addition:

    1. that a proposal that electronic gambling machines be phased out on council property, with these not being permitted in new leases after a period, be specifically considered and reported on as part of the Gambling Venue Policy review.

    LOST

    [Secretarial note: Councillor Northey declared conflict of interest and did not speak nor vote on this item.]

    The Chairperson put the substantive motion:

    1. That the Community Services Committee notes the review of the Community and recreation lease policy which addresses inconsistencies with the treatment of commercial activities (including childcare), maintenance issues, situations where community groups are undertaking commercial and community activities from the same facility, and inconsistencies in rentals currently paid by a range of community groups.
    2. That the Community Services Committee approves for stakeholder consultation:
      1. the revised Community and recreation lease policy attached as appendix one, which retains:
        1. $500 per annum rental for community groups undertaking community activities, with a further reduction to $250 per annum for groups with predominantly youth membership;
        2. a fifteen year lease period reviewed every five years;
        3. recognition of the value of council providing subsidised space to community and recreation groups;
        4. recognition that groups operating commercial activities and significant bar/gaming operations require rental adjustments to reflect these activities;
          and includes the following changes:
        5. an increased focus on the activities that are undertaken from council's leased facilities;
        6. the establishment of hybrid leases for community groups who operate both community and commercial/non-community activities from council land and/or facilities, noting that additional rental will be charged at five percent of revenue generated from the commercial/non-community activities undertaken from the leased property;
        7. clarification that community groups operating only or predominantly commercial activities from a facility are not eligible for a discounted community and recreation lease; and
        8. clarification of community activities subsidised by council and commercial/non-community activities that are not subsidised by council;
      2. that authority be delegated to the Chairperson, Councillor Northey and the Chief Executive to make and approve any minor amendments to the policy arising from the Community Services Committee meeting;
      3. that in order to ensure consistency and fairness, council will apply the principle of not subsidising commercial activities to community centres;
      4. that any additional revenue council generates from changes to the policy be retained within the leasing portfolio in order to fund improved maintenance and the removal of abandoned community buildings on open space land;
      5. that where a group faces a significant increase in rental (i.e. over $5,000) the increase will be phased in over a three-year period, noting that this phase-in period applies only to the first time that a lease is adjusted to the rental methodology outlined in the new policy; and
      6. that council will only consider transferring a community or recreation group from a commercial lease to a community and recreation lease where a negotiated solution is able to be reached that delivers a clear public benefit.
    3. That officers consider the following for the final draft of the Community and recreation lease policy to be reported to the Community Services Committee in May 2009:
      1. stakeholder feedback;
      2. the per annum charges for fully discounted leases for community and recreation groups leasing land/or buildings for community activities or community groups made up of predominantly young people;
      3. the threshold of revenue options lower than $100,000;
      4. the impact of the lease policy on childcare facilities;
      5. that council should not compete with commercial ratepayers on how it subsidises activities; and
      6. greater clarity around what constitutes commercial/non-commercial and community/non-community activities.

    CARRIED

  7. Top ASSISTED HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAMME UPDATE

    The Chairperson moved the following:

    That the Community Services Committee notes that council has entered into an assisted home ownership agreement with New Zealand Housing Foundation (NZHF), noting that the key terms to this agreement are that:

    1. council will contribute $3.8 million towards the assisted home ownership programme;
    2. the $3.8 million grant will be made via a number of instalments and payments to New Zealand Housing Foundation, made as and when programme milestones are met;
    3. New Zealand Housing Foundation will deliver not less than 30 dwellings in the city over the next three years, with at least half being new dwellings;
    4. New Zealand Housing Foundation will submit proposed projects to council for approval prior to their inclusion in the programme;
    5. New Zealand Housing Foundation will be responsible for locating, vetting, selecting and mentoring households; and
    6. New Zealand Housing Foundation will bear the development risks of the programme and will be responsible for managing the programme's applicants, approved households and completed dwellings.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendment by way of addition:

    1. That the Community Services Committee expresses its disappointment that the original agreement to provide $9 million worth of dwellings was not proceeded with which would have provided a hundred dwellings over three years.

    A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:

    For the Amendment: Against the Amendment:
    Cr Graeme Easte

    Cr Richard Northey

    Cr Denise Roche

    		 Cr Paul Goldsmith

    Cr Greg Moyle

    Cr Graeme Mulholland

    Cr Noelene Raffills


    His Worship the Mayor and Deputy Mayor David Hay were absent.

    The amendment was declared LOST by 4 votes to 3.

    The Chairperson put the substantive motion:

    1. That the Community Services Committee notes that council has entered into an assisted home ownership agreement with New Zealand Housing Foundation (NZHF), noting that the key terms to this agreement are that:
      1. council will contribute $3.8 million towards the assisted home ownership programme;
      2. the $3.8 million grant will be made via a number of instalments and payments to New Zealand Housing Foundation, made as and when programme milestones are met;
      3. New Zealand Housing Foundation will deliver not less than 30 dwellings in the city over the next three years, with at least half being new dwellings;
      4. New Zealand Housing Foundation will submit proposed projects to council for approval prior to their inclusion in the programme;
      5. New Zealand Housing Foundation will be responsible for locating, vetting, selecting and mentoring households; and
      6. New Zealand Housing Foundation will bear the development risks of the programme and will be responsible for managing the programme's applicants, approved households and completed dwellings.
    2. That officers report on the future of the Denny Avenue site to the June 2009 Community Services Committee meeting.

    CARRIED

  8. Top URGENT DECISION - ASSISTED HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAMME FUNDING AGREEMENT

    That the urgent decision of the Community Services Committee, dated 18 December 2008, and the memorandum from the Community and Social Policy Manager, dated 18 December 2008 regarding the approval of the assisted home ownership programme funding agreement with the New Zealand Housing Foundation (NZHF), be received.

    CARRIED

  9. Top SNAPSHOT OF AUCKLAND CITY'S PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

    Coloured maps indicating deprivation levels on the isthmus and the Hauraki Gulf Islands were tabled.

    [ATTACHMENT 9A]

    That A snapshot of Auckland city's people and communities, which provides information on the people of Auckland, who they are and how they live; and highlights that Auckland is a young, diverse and well-educated city which provides opportunities for community activity and where people feel safe, be received.

    CARRIED

    [Secretarial note: Councillor Goldsmith vacated the chair at 2:40pm. Councillor Raffills assumed the chair.]

  10. Top QUARTERLY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES

    That the community development quarterly report for the period October to December 2008 be received, noting the work programmes completed and underway across the organisation, including:

    1. the Community and Library facilities plan progress;
    2. the commencement of the Auckland City Alcohol strategy review;
    3. the report to the Committee on the implications of the Affordable Housing: Enabling Territorial Authorities Act 2008, which came into force in September 2008;
    4. the commencement of the Gambling Venue policy review;
    5. the completion of the Social Profile project;
    6. the approval of the updated Homeless Action Plan 2008-2013;
    7. the approval of the Community Development framework for delivering Strong and Healthy Communities strategy;
    8. the approval of the revised Community Group Assistance policy;
    9. completing a number of initiatives fostering a sense of community pride and belonging;
    10. completing a number of connected communities initiatives; and
    11. the Kids Voting 2008 programme.

    CARRIED

  11. Top QUARTERLY REPORT LIBRARIES

    That the quarterly report for Libraries, which provides an update on key usage trends, projects and achievements for the period October 2008-February 2009 be received, noting:

    1. the increase in use of library services during what is normally a quieter period;
    2. the growing use of the new library website;
    3. introduction of an online payments system and the Chinese journals database launched during the last quarter;
    4. appointments to the Library lead team;
    5. good progress on digitisation of the NZ Card index and indexing of the social history archives, good visitor attendance at story time and reading events and the exhibition featuring heritage collection items about fairytales;
    6. the establishment of productive relations with schools and pre-schools, and the development of author talks, story-times and story-telling skills
    7. activities planned for the next quarter, including:
      1. the introduction of a wifi service;
      2. an exhibition featuring works by Shakespeare held in the Library's heritage collections;
      3. discussions to progress the possibility of a learning centre at Wesley Intermediate school; and
    8. the following potential areas of risk:
      1. replacement of the fire suppression system for heritage collections and development of a detailed business case and relocation plan to address this efficiently; and
      2. Section 95 of the Copyright Act under which the library becomes a downstream internet service provider, and the response of ensuring that comprehensive preventative policies, processes and other measures are in place to minimise risk.

    CARRIED

  12. Top REPORT AND RESOLUTIONS FROM ARTS, CULTURE AND RECREATION - WAIHEKE STRATEGIC ARTWORKS

    Recommending that report of the Senior Project Planner, Art Community and Recreation Policy, dated 12 January 2009, and the resolutions from the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee meeting, dated 11 February 2009 be received.

    CARRIED

  13. Top REPORT AND RESOLUTIONS FROM TRANSPORT COMMITTEE - REPORT ON THE TORONTO TRANSPORT SYSTEM

    That the report and resolutions from the Transport Committee, dated 4 December 2008, and the information regarding the City of Toronto's Graffiti Abatement Programme, graffiti bylaws, and public education campaign be received.

    CARRIED

  14. Top RESOLUTION FROM FINANCE AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE - HOMELESS REPORT

    Recommending that the resolutions from the Finance and Strategy Committee, dated 10 December 2008 be received.

    CARRIED

  15. Top COMMUNITY GROUP ASSISTANCE FUND (CGAF) WORKSHOP RESOLUTION

    That the Community Services Committee holds a workshop to consider applications for the first round of Community Group Assistance Funding (CGAF), which closes on 3 April 2009.

    CARRIED

    There being no further business the Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 2.49pm.
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