Decision digest | Governing Body

23 February 2017

Elections and air quality lead discussion at Governing Body

A look back at the 2016 local body elections and preparation to consult on the contribution of domestic fireplaces were hot on the agenda at today’s meeting of the Auckland Council Governing Body.

The Mayor and councillors also discussed the council’s recent submission to the government on its proposal for development on Point England Reserve.

The following is a digest of decisions made. The agenda is available on Auckland Council’s website and minutes will be added once confirmed. This meeting was alsowebcast on the council’s website and items are available on demand.

Items 1-10 are administrative items, excluding public input which is summarised below.

Item 6: Petitions
Gayleen Mackereth, representing the Howick Ratepayers and Residents Association Inc., presented a petition relating to development and views from Stockade Hill and Crawford Reserve, Howick.

Item 7: Public Input

Lisa Prager spoke to the meeting on ‘Congestion, creation, collusion’.

Item 11: Submissions on Point England Development Enabling Bill

The Governing Body heard from Mayor Phil Goff on the presentation of the council’s submission to the government on the Point England Development Enabling Bill. The Mayor highlighted the main points made in the submission, which included:

• Point England Reserve is a highly valued public reserve for the Tāmaki community and the wider Auckland community.

• Use of special legislation to lift reserve status and provide for housing development outside normal statutory processes sets a concerning precedent.

• Assurance must be given that the Crown has considered all other options for reaching a Treaty settlement with Ngāti Paoa, such as the potential release of land owned by the Tāmaki Redevelopment Company.

• If the Crown pursues the course of action proposed by the Bill, impacts from the loss of reserve land must be offset by reinvesting the entire proceeds of the sale in improved public open space in the Tāmaki area.

• The proposed development land, if sold, should only be sold to Ngāti Paoa as a component of their Treaty settlement or otherwise remain as reserve land.

The submission was approved under delegation in order to meet the government’s deadlines. It records the views of six local boards. The Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board submitted separately.

Item 12: Relationship Agreement – Te Uri o Hau and Item 13: Relationship Agreements with Mana Whenua

A template for the development of relationship agreements with mana whenua was approved and will be shared with local boards to allow them to start working with their respective mana whenua groups. An agreement between the council and Te Uri O Hau, using this template, was approved under item 12.

Item 14: Recruitment process for Independent District Licensing Committee members and resource management commissioners in 2017

The Governing Body agreed to the recruitment process for District Licensing Committee members and resource management commissioners in 2017.

Item 15: 2016 Elections – Highlights and Issues

A presentation on the 2016 local government elections, largely focussing on Auckland, was given by the General Manager Democracy Services. Her presentation included the recommended basis for a submission to the government’s ‘Inquiry into the 2016 local authority elections’. A political reference group will contribute to this submission.

Item 16: Political Working Party for negotiations with the Independent Māori

Statutory Board for 2017/2018 Funding Agreement

Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore and councillors Clow, Collins and Hills were appointed to the political working party to work with the Independent Māori Statutory Board on its recommended funding agreement for 2017/18.

Item 17: Accountability of Auckland Council Controlled Organisations -

Recommendations from the Appointments and Performance Review

Committee

The Governing Body approved the recommendations of the Appointments and Performance Review Committee, including the scope and timing, of an accountability review of Council Controlled Organisations.

The objectives of this review are to increase the accountability and value for money of council-controlled organisations by:

• increasing the transparency of council-controlled organisation decision-making

• increasing the responsiveness of council-controlled organisations to the public and council

• improving the recognition of ratepayer funding for council-controlled organisation activity

• increasing the ability to align council-controlled organisations to the direction set by the council.

Item 18: Statement of Proposal: Draft Air Quality Bylaw for Indoor Domestic Fires - Recommendations from the Regulatory Committee

The Governing Body adopted the statement of proposal for a Draft Air Quality Bylaw for Indoor Domestic Fires, as recommended by the Regulatory Committee. This allows the draft bylaw to go out for public consultation.

The draft bylaw proposes a set of regional rules to manage how domestic fires contribute to air quality in urban Auckland; identifies prohibited fuels; acknowledges installation standards and addresses nuisance issues, such as smoke impacts on neighbouring properties.

ENDS

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