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Finance and Strategy Committee
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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE
FINANCE AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2009 AT 9.34AM
IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, LEVEL 15
CIVIC ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
1 GREYS AVENUE
AUCKLAND

PRESENT: Councillor Douglas Armstrong, QSO [Chairperson]
[until 11:15, item 9; from 11:17, item 9]
  His Worship the Mayor, Hon John Banks, QSO [from 9:48am, item 4.1; until 10:30am, item 7]
  Deputy Mayor David Hay, JP [from 10:33am, item 7; until 11:45am, item 10; from 11:49am, item 10; until 12:03pm, item 14; from 12.08pm, item 11]
  Councillors: Aaron Bhatnagar  
    Dr Cathy Casey [from 9:37am; item 2]
    Paul Goldsmith  
    Richard Northey, ONZM  
ALSO PRESENT:   Leila Boyle  
    Bill Christian, JP [until 11:48am, item 10]
    Graeme Easte [until 12:13pm, item 12; from 12:28pm, item C1]
    Glenda Fryer [from 9:36am, item 3; until 12:17pm, item 16; from 12:29pm, item C1]
    Denise Roche [until 10:35, item 7; from 11:43am, item 10]

  1. Top APOLOGIES

    That the apologies from Councillor Donnelly and Councillor Lotu-Iiga for non-attendance, and from Councillor Casey for lateness be accepted.

    CARRIED

  2. Top CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

    That the minutes of the Finance and Strategy Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 10 December 2008 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

    CARRIED

  3. Top EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

    The following item was introduced by Councillor Northey:

    3.1 COUNCIL SUBMISSION ON THE TAXATION (BUSINESS TAX MEASURES) BILL

    That the Finance and Strategy Committee consider as a matter of extraordinary business at item 16 the issue of whether to make an Auckland City Council submission on the Taxation (Business Tax Measures) Bill for the following reasons:

    1. The information was not on the agenda papers because the Bill was introduced and referred to a Select Committee only last week; and
    2. The decision cannot be delayed because there is a very short submission time with oral submissions commencing 18 February and a requirement to report back to Parliament by 23 March and it is an important legislative requirement under the Local Government Act that Council promote the economic wellbeing of our district.

    CARRIED

  4. Top PUBLIC FORUM

    4.1. STEPHEN MOORE - RATES

    [ATTACHMENT 4.1A and 4.1B]

    That Mr Stephen Moore, Mr Gavin Logan and Ms Josephine Bartley be thanked for their petitions relating to Auckland City's rates, that the petitions be received, and that it be referred to Combined Committees as a submission on the Ten-year Plan;

    1. Petition 4.1A - relating to the 2011 Rugby World Cup Event, charitable payments to Metrowater and Metrowater price increases with 542 signatures.
    2. Petition 4.1B - relating to the 2011 Rugby World Cup Event, charitable payments to Metrowater, Metrowater price increases and reducing Council overheads and staffing with 111 signatures.

    CARRIED

    4.2. DON MCKENZIE - BLIND FOUNDATION PROPERTY RATES

    That Mr Don McKenzie be thanked for his presentation on the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's property rates.

    CARRIED

  5. Top REPORTS REQUESTED PENDING

    That the reports requested pending of the Democracy Advisor, dated 5 February 2009, be received with the following change:

    • Change Row 8 from "TBC" to read "May 2009".

    CARRIED

  6. Top DELEGATED DECISIONS OF THE GROUP MANAGER PROPERTY AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MANAGER

    That the decisions made under the Group Manager Property and Property Management Manager's delegation be noted.

    CARRIED

  7. Top MARINAS - GOVERNANCE AND USER REPRESENTATION

    [ATTACHMENT 7A]

    1. That it be a recommendation to Combined Committees:
      1. That it be noted that the completion of Treasury's rolling review of council's marina assets has identified that a greater commercial focus is needed to improve performance and efficiency, and that creating a marina council controlled organisation is an option for addressing this;
      2. That it be agreed that an option to create a marina council controlled organisation be included for public consultation in the draft 2009-2019 Long-term Council Community Plan;
      3. That it be noted that Council resolved at its 25 September 2008 meeting to establish a holding company responsible for the governance of council assets and activities with commercial objectives, and the intention to consult for each activity transferred into this structure;
      4. That it be noted that the inclusion of a marina council controlled organisation in the holding company structure could provide a more efficient governance structure and aligns with the holding company's intended role; and
      5. That it be agreed that an option to include a marina council controlled organisation in the holding company should be included for public consultation in the draft 2009-2019 Long-term Council Community Plan.
    2. That the Finance and Strategy Committee:
      1. Notes that the Westhaven Marina Users Association requested representation on the boards of Westhaven Marina Limited and the Westhaven Existing Marina and Westhaven Marina Extension trusts;
      2. Notes that council has regular consultation arrangements already in place with the Westhaven Marina Users Association;
      3. Agrees that a committee member of the Westhaven Marina Users Association may attend Westhaven Marina Limited board meetings with non-voting status to further assist the existing flow of information and consultation with users; and
      4. Agrees that the decision be reviewed should the option of creating a marina council controlled organisation be approved by Council following public consultation.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendment to A (i), (ii), (iv) and (v):

    1. That it be noted that the completion of Treasury's rolling review of council's marina assets has identified that a greater commercial focus is needed to improve performance and efficiency, and that creating a marina council controlled organisation is an option for addressing this and creating a standalone business unit as another option;
    2. That it be agreed that an option, namely, Officers' Option B, i.e. that creating a marina stand alone business unit responsible for operating Westhaven marina and advised by an independent Advisory Board providing commercial oversight be included for public consultation in the draft 2009-2019 Long-term Council Community Plan;
    3. That it be noted that the establishment of a marina stand alone business unit and Advisory Board would provide a more efficient governance structure; and
    4. That it be agreed that an option to include a marina stand alone business unit and Advisory Board should be included for public consultation in the draft 2009-2019 Long-term Council Community Plan.

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

    For the Amendment: Against the Amendment:
    Cr Dr Cathy Casey

    Cr Richard Northey

    		 Cr Douglas Armstrong

    Cr Aaron Bhatnagar

    Cr Paul Goldsmith

    Deputy Mayor David Hay

    His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Donnelly and Councillor Lotu-Iiga were absent.

    The amendment was declared LOST by 4 votes to 2.

    The Chairperson put the substantive motion:

    1. That it be a recommendation to Combined Committees:
      1. That it be noted that the completion of Treasury's rolling review of council's marina assets has identified that a greater commercial focus is needed to improve performance and efficiency, and that creating a marina council controlled organisation is an option for addressing this. That it be further noted that Westhaven Marina is operated commercially, but that the marina also has vital public good aspects and qualities that need to be fully taken into account in its management, including its integrated relationship with adjoining public spaces;
      2. That it be agreed that an option to create a marina council controlled organisation be included for public consultation in the draft 2009-2019 Long-term Council Community Plan;
      3. That it be noted that Council resolved at its 25 September 2008 meeting to establish a holding company responsible for the governance of council assets and activities with commercial objectives, and the intention to consult for each activity transferred into this structure;
      4. That it be noted that the inclusion of a marina council controlled organisation in the holding company structure could provide a more efficient governance structure and aligns with the holding company's intended role; and
      5. That it be agreed that an option to include a marina council controlled organisation in the holding company should be included for public consultation in the draft 2009-2019 Long-term Council Community Plan.
    2. That the Finance and Strategy Committee:
      1. Notes that the Westhaven Marina Users Association requested representation on the boards of Westhaven Marina Limited and the Westhaven Existing Marina and Westhaven Marina Extension trusts;
      2. Notes that council has regular consultation arrangements already in place with the Westhaven Marina Users Association;
      3. Agrees that a committee member of the Westhaven Marina Users Association may attend Westhaven Marina Limited board meetings with non-voting status to further assist the existing flow of information and consultation with users; and
      4. Agrees that the decision be reviewed should the option of creating a marina council controlled organisation be approved by Council following public consultation.

    CARRIED

  8. Top TEN-YEAR PLAN PERFORMANCE MEASURES

    [ATTACHMENT 8A]

    1. That the Finance and Strategy Committee approves the following performance measures, for inclusion in the Ten-year plan 2009-2019:
      1. Marinas:
        1. Percentage return on public investment.
      2. Development with Vision:
        1. Catalyst quality property development examples provided in targeted areas of the city.
      3. Efficient, capable and user-friendly council:
        1. The percentage rate of employees voluntarily leaving the organisation;
        2. The percentage of customer enquires received by the call centre resolved at first point of contact; and
        3. The percentage of results in organisation wide customer experience surveys that are either good or excellent.
      4. Representation:
        1. The low percentage of stakeholders who believe they have appropriate opportunities to participate in Auckland City Council's decision-making process;
        2. The percentage of Council and committee minutes that are publicly available within four working days; and
        3. That the Finance and Strategy Committee notes that the performance measures with targets will be incorporated in the draft Ten-year plan document presented to the March Combined Committee.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendment by way of addition to A (ii) and (iv):

    1. Development with Vision:
      1. The percentage of residents satisfied with the overall look and feel of the city.

    LOST

    1. Representation:
      1. Percentage voter turnout; and

    LOST

    1. The percentage of council, committee and community board agendas that are circulated with complete and full agenda items and reports at least four days before the meeting.

    The amendment A (iv) (d) was put by show of hands and declared LOST by 4 votes to 2.

    Councillor Casey moved the following amendment by way of addition to A (iii):

    1. Efficient, capable and user-friendly council:
      1. Percentage staff turnover;

    The amendment A (iii) (d) was put by show of hands and declared LOST by 4 votes to 2.

    1. Percentage of staff engagement (as measured in the staff climate survey);
    2. Percentage of (i) residents (ii) businesses (iii) stakeholders and (iv) visitors satisfied with the quality and amount of Auckland City Council information available to them;
    3. Percentage of (i) residents (ii) businesses and (iii) stakeholders satisfied with the value they receive from council;
    4. Council's reputation score from public survey; and
    1. Percentage of residents who can identify their local councillors.

    The amendment A (iii) (e-i) was put by show of hands and declared LOST by 4 votes to 2.

    The Chairperson put the substantive motion:

    1. That the Finance and Strategy Committee approves the following performance measures, for inclusion in the Ten-year plan 2009-2019:
      1. Marinas:
        1. Percentage return on public investment.
      2. Development with Vision:
        1. Catalyst quality property development examples provided in targeted areas of the city.
      3. Efficient, capable and user-friendly council:
        1. The percentage rate of employees voluntarily leaving the organisation;
        2. The percentage of customer enquires received by the call centre resolved at first point of contact; and
        3. The percentage of results in organisation wide customer experience surveys that are either good or excellent.
      4. Representation:
        1. The low percentage of stakeholders who believe they have appropriate opportunities to participate in Auckland City Council's decision-making process;
        2. The percentage of Council and committee minutes that are publicly available within four working days; and
        3. That the Finance and Strategy Committee notes that the performance measures with targets will be incorporated in the draft Ten-year plan document presented to the March Combined Committee.

    CARRIED

    [Secretarial note: Councillor Armstrong vacated the Chair at 11:15 am and Deputy Mayor Hay assumed the Chair. Councillor Armstrong resumed the Chair at 11:17 am.]

  9. Top REFINEMENT TO TREASURY MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR 2009 - 2019 LTCCP

    That it be a recommendation to March Combined Committees:

    1. That it be agreed to consult on the following adjustment to the Treasury Management Policy via the draft 2009-2019 Ten-year plan:
      1. permitting borrowing to fund the impacts on ratepayer equity from payments associated with discovered liabilities, eg weathertightness payments, remediation of closed landfill and remediation of other contaminated sites.
    2. That it be noted that this change is in addition to the changes to the Treasury Management Policy endorsed for consultation at its 18 November 2008 meeting.
    3. That it be agreed that the draft Treasury Management Policy wording attached as Appendix I of the "Refinements to Treasury Management Policy for 2009 - 2019 LTCCP" report be included in the draft ten-year plan, with authority to approve any minor wording changes delegated to the Chair of the Finance and Strategy Committee.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendment by way of addition to C and adding new resolution D:

    1. Amend C by inserting after the words "2009-2019 LTCCP Report" the words "as set out and amended by resolution D".
    2. That the new Sustainable Debt Policy requirements be that borrowing is permitted, subject to oversight by the treasury management steering group where:
      1. The liability concerned was not previously anticipated or is expected to be considerably higher than previously anticipated;
      2. Funding this operational expenditure from rates would place a significant burden on current ratepayers;
      3. Debt will assist in promoting intergenerational equity by spreading responsibility for funding these issues across generations; and
      4. Additionally, 60% of any debt should be repaid over 30 years on a straight line basis.

    CARRIED

    The Chairperson put the substantive motion:

    That it be a recommendation to March Combined Committees:

    1. That it be agreed to consult on the following adjustment to the Treasury Management Policy via the draft 2009-2019 Ten-year plan:
      1. permitting borrowing to fund the impacts on ratepayer equity from payments associated with discovered liabilities, eg weathertightness payments, remediation of closed landfill and remediation of other contaminated sites.
    2. That it be noted that this change is in addition to the changes to the Treasury Management Policy endorsed for consultation at its 18 November 2008 meeting.
    3. That it be agreed that the draft Treasury Management Policy wording attached as Appendix I of the "Refinements to Treasury Management Policy for 2009 - 2019 LTCCP" report as set out and amended by resolution D be included in the draft Ten-year plan, with authority to approve any minor wording changes delegated to the Chair of the Finance and Strategy Committee.
    4. That the new Sustainable Debt Policy requirements be that borrowing is permitted, subject to oversight by the treasury management steering group where:
      1. The liability concerned was not previously anticipated or is expected to be considerably higher than previously anticipated;
      2. Funding this operational expenditure from rates would place a significant burden on current ratepayers;
      3. Debt will assist in promoting intergenerational equity by spreading responsibility for funding these issues across generations;
      4. Additionally, 60% of any debt should be repaid over 30 years on a straight line basis; and
      5. That the policy of repaying 60% of debt over 30 years be reviewed during the next review of the Treasury Management Policy.

    CARRIED

  10. Top PROPOSED RATES-RELATED POLICIES FOR 2009/10

    [ATTACHMENT 10A and 10B]

    At the October and November 2008 Direction Setting meetings, the levels of some rates were unable to be determined due to the budgetary information being unavailable at that time, therefore, that it be a recommendation to March Combined Committees:

    1. That it be confirmed that changing the refuse collection targeted rate from $210 to around $202 per service to fully fund the cost of the services, and that the change reflects the most recent costs of the existing services and the new waste minimisation levy, and that it also includes using some of the surplus from 2007/08 to reduce the revenue by $2 million for 2009/10.
    2. That it be confirmed that changing the level of remission from $128 to around $118 for an approved alternative rubbish service and changing the level of remission for an approved alternative recycling service from $71 to around $78 for 2009/10.
    3. That it be confirmed that the level of the new targeted rate for each additional recycling service to be around $78 for 2009/10.
    4. That it be confirmed that a discount for early payment of rates of 1.32 per cent for 2009/10, reflecting council's lower short-term borrowing rate for that year.
    5. That it be noted that council's rate of inflation projections for the Ten Year Plan period have been updated to reflect changes to the economic data, with council's rate of inflation for the 2009/10 financial year now projected to be 2.5 per cent.
    6. That it be noted that all other decisions on proposed rates-related policies from the October 2008 and November 2008 Direction Setting meetings and that the decisions from this meeting will be included in the draft long-term plan for consultation with the public.

    Councillor Casey moved the following amendment by way of addition to E:

    "and therefore the projected and planned rates rise will be reduced from 5% to 4% instead, which would then allow the projects to proceed which were cut at the November APDS meeting but continuing to be advocated for by a number of Councillors as recorded in the minutes of the 18 November Annual Plan Direction Setting Meeting (as ATTACHMENT 10A)."

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

    For the Amendment: Against the Amendment:
    Cr Dr Cathy Casey

    Cr Richard Northey

    		 Cr Douglas Armstrong

    Cr Aaron Bhatnagar

    Cr Paul Goldsmith

    Deputy Mayor David Hay


    His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Donnelly and Councillor Lotu-Iiga were absent.

    The amendment was declared LOST by 4 votes to 2.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendment by way of addition to F:

    "except that the proposed increase in the uniform annual general charge from $162 to $350 per separately used or inhabited part (SUIP) for 2009/2010 be changed to a 4% increase to $168. This is in order to be consistent with the overall percentage rates rise and also to maintain the existing relativities in rates between higher, middle and lower valued properties This change is made, noting , as revealed by Council Officers in the attached report, based on the then proposed overall citywide rates increase of 5%, that because of changing Council policies and revaluations, but mainly as the result of Council's proposed $350 per year UAGC on all Auckland City properties, far from containing the rates rises at a modest 5%, Council's proposed rating policies would mean that almost 64% of families and households would face rate rises over 5%, 42% would pay a greater than 10% increase, 10.3% would pay more than 20% more next year, and one household in every 250 would actually face paying more than 50% more than this year. On the other hand the city's millionaires would benefit hugely, with nearly every property valued over a million dollars actually receiving a reduction in their rates, only excepting any Slumdog Millionaires (The Council Officers' Report is attached as ATTACHMENT 10B)."

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

    For the Amendment: Against the Amendment:
    Cr Dr Cathy Casey

    Cr Richard Northey

    		 Cr Douglas Armstrong

    Cr Aaron Bhatnagar

    Cr Paul Goldsmith

    Deputy Mayor David Hay


    His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Donnelly and Councillor Lotu-Iiga were absent.

    The amendment was declared LOST by 4 votes to 2.

    The Chairperson put the substantive motion:

    At the October and November 2008 Direction Setting meetings, the levels of some rates were unable to be determined due to the budgetary information being unavailable at that time, therefore, that it be a recommendation to March Combined Committees:

    1. That it be confirmed that changing the refuse collection targeted rate from $210 to around $202 per service to fully fund the cost of the services, and that the change reflects the most recent costs of the existing services and the new waste minimisation levy, and that it also includes using some of the surplus from 2007/08 to reduce the revenue by $2 million for 2009/10.
    2. That it be confirmed that changing the level of remission from $128 to around $118 for an approved alternative rubbish service and changing the level of remission for an approved alternative recycling service from $71 to around $78 for 2009/10.
    3. That it be confirmed that the level of the new targeted rate for each additional recycling service to be around $78 for 2009/10.
    4. That it be noted that a discount for early payment of rates of 1.32 per cent for 2009/10 reflects council's lower short-term borrowing rate for that year, and the Committee requests a report be provided to the March Combined Committees meeting covering the level of early payment discount and penalties in light of interest rate changes.
    5. That it be noted that council's rate of inflation projections for the Ten Year Plan period have been updated to reflect changes to the economic data, with council's rate of inflation for the 2009/10 financial year now projected to be 2.5 per cent.
    6. That it be noted that all other decisions on proposed rates-related policies from the October 2008 and November 2008 Direction Setting meetings and that the decisions from this meeting will be included in the draft long-term plan for consultation with the public.

    CARRIED

    [Secretarial note: Items 13 and 14 were taken at this time.]

  11. Top FOLLOW-UP REVIEW OF RATepayer DIFFERENTIALS AND DEFINITIONS

    [ATTACHMENT 11A]

    That it be a recommendation to March Combined Committees:

    1. That there are not any new recommended changes to the recommendations resolved at the November 2008 Direction Setting meeting, as basing the definition on actual use ensures equity so that properties that are used for the same purpose are rated on the same basis.
    2. That it be noted that council cannot continue to use the 2005 valuations for Great Barrier Island, as this is not permitted under the Rating Valuations Act and the Rating Valuations Rules.

    Councillor Northey moved the following amendment adding new resolution C:

    1. That officers report to the Combined Committees on the issues and recommendations in Great Barrier Board Member Somerville-Ryan's Draft Review Paper (attached) and specifically on his following recommendations:

    Rural 1:

    1. reduce the size threshold from 5 hectares to 4 hectares
    2. include any property which is affected by a Site of Ecological Significance designation, Heritage Order, Significant Ecological Feature designation, or Sensitive Area classification
    3. general limitation of Residential zones to planned or expanded Settlement areas

    Rural 2:

    1. redefine to include Restricted Use (Rural 2: Limited Access and Land areas of restricted use).

    CARRIED

    The Chairperson put the substantive motion:

    That it be a recommendation to March Combined Committees:

    1. That there are not any new recommended changes to the recommendations resolved at the November 2008 Direction Setting meeting, as basing the definition on actual use ensures equity so that properties that are used for the same purpose are rated on the same basis.
    2. That it be noted that council cannot continue to use the 2005 valuations for Great Barrier Island, as this is not permitted under the Rating Valuations Act and the Rating Valuations Rules.
    3. That officers report to the Combined Committees on the issues and recommendations in Great Barrier Board Member Somerville-Ryan's Draft Review Paper (attached) and specifically on his following recommendations:

    Rural 1:

    1. Reduce the size threshold from 5 hectares to 4 hectares
    2. Include any property which is affected by a Site of Ecological Significance designation, Heritage Order, Significant Ecological Feature designation, or Sensitive Area classification; and
    3. General limitation of Residential zones to planned or expanded Settlement areas

    Rural 2:

    1. Redefine to include Restricted Use (Rural 2: Limited Access and Land areas of restricted use).

    CARRIED

  12. Top ORGANISATION EFFICIENCY GAINS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008

    1. That the Finance and Strategy Committee notes the organisational efficiency gains of $4.3 million and revenue increases of $4.9 million for the six months ended 31 December 2008.
    2. That the Finance and Strategy Committee notes the organisation's commitment to continuing savings, efficiency gains and quality of service improvements.

    CARRIED

  13. Top BUSINESS CASE FOR COUNCILLOR TRAVEL TO BRISBANE

    That the Finance and Strategy Committee approves Councillor Bhatnagar and Councillor Northey to travel to Brisbane from 1-4 April 2009 to participate in the mayoral business mission to Brisbane.

    CARRIED

    [Secretarial note: Councillor Bhatnagar and Councillor Northey declared a conflict of interest and did not partake in discussion or voting on item 13.]

  14. Top NOTICE OF MOTION: ADOPT NEW STANDING ORDER TO GOVERN COUNCILLORS' USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING MEETINGS

    [ATTACHMENT 14A]

    That a Working Party be established consisting of Councillor Casey, Councillor Donnelly and Councillor Bhatnagar to consider the recommendations in Councillor Casey's notice of motion to adopt new standing orders to govern councillors' use of electronic devices during meetings, and report back to the Finance and Strategy Committee on the need or otherwise to change council's standing orders.

    CARRIED

    [Secretarial note: Item 16 was taken at this time.]

  15. Top EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC : LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND MEETINGS ACT 1987

    That the public be excluded from the following part(s) of the proceedings of this meeting.

    The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under Section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution follows.

    This resolution is made in reliance on Section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public, as follows:

    Item No.

    General subject of each matter to be considered

    Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

    Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

    Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution
    C1. ROYAL NEW ZEALAND FOUNDATION OF THE BLIND - RATES WRITE OFF Public conduct of matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason to withhold exists under section 6. Section 6(a)

    The making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, investigation, and detection of offences and the right to a fair trial.

    In particular, Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 restricts the inspection of rates records (including account balances and arrears) to specific individuals.

    		 Section 48(1)(a)

    The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 6.

    C2. DELEGATED DECISION OF THE GROUP MANAGER PROPERTY AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MANAGER Public conduct of matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason to withhold exists under section 7. Section 7(2)(h)

    The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.

    In particular, the report contains references to the property's value and information that may impact on the property owner's commercial activities; identification of the site and contract terms which form the basis of negotiations between council and the landowner; sensitive information about council's proposed intentions for the site, which could prejudice or disadvantage its commercial activities.

    		 Section 48(1)(a)

    The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

    CARRIED

  16. Top COUNCIL SUBMISSION ON THE TAXATION (BUSINESS TAX MEASURES) BILL

    [ATTACHMENT 16A]

    That Council make an urgent submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee of Parliament on the Taxation (Business Tax Measures) Bill expressing general support for the Bill but taking into account the comments made in the attached submission from the New Zealand Council of Social Services and also additional comments made Councillors, with the Council submission to be signed off by the Chairperson of the Finance and Strategy Committee and Councillor Northey.

    CARRIED

    There being no further business the Chairperson declared the meeting closed at 12:43 pm.