Decision digest | Regional Strategy and Policy Committee

05 March 2015

Workplan updates, research and challenges for a multi-lingual Auckland go in front of committee

Auckland Council committee members met today to receive an update on the strategy and policy forward programme and a report on the technical publications produced by council’s Research and Evaluation Unit. Input on behalf of the Devonport community and a request by Manurewa Local Board was also received. 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 also webcast on the council’s website and items will be available on demand within 24 hours of the meeting.

Items 1-8 are administrative items, excluding public input which is summarised below. There were no extraordinary items.

Item 5: Public Input – Continuation of Devonport’s no spray policy

The committee received a presentation from Sharon Byron-McKay regarding a submission made to council on the use of herbicides on roadsides, parks and sports fields, with particular reference to the Devonport area.

Council is currently consulting with communities on proposed changes to its weed management practices as part of its 10 year budget (Long-term Plan 2015-25). Ms Byron-McKay’s submission is being considered as part of this consultation process.

Item 9: Draft Auckland Languages Strategy

Councillors were presented with a proposal by COMET (Auckland Community Education Trust) to develop an Auckland Languages Strategy. Chief Executive Susan Warren emphasised the proposed strategy had come about due to the work of a number of diverse groups collaborating on an action plan to best support languages in the city. The council was asked to support this initiative which seeks to encourage multilingualism in our diverse city and harness the economic and social benefits of languages across Auckland.

The committee heard about concerns regarding the decline in numbers speaking Te Reo and immigrants losing their native languages. COMET asked for support for our indigenous language by encouraging more use of Te Reo and a multilingual Auckland through more students learning different languages at school, which is greatly encouraged by city educators.

The committee discussed how it could support the Language Strategy Plan and its alignment with Auckland’s Art & Culture Strategy and Young Persons Policy and the use of bi-lingual signage, which is increasing. Councillors supported COMET’s draft strategic action plan and council staff will continue to work with COMET on council-related activity.

Item 10: District Licensing Committee Review – Request by Manurewa Local Board

A request by the Manurewa Local Board to complete the District Licensing Committee (DLC) review by April 2015 was received. A report from council staff reiterated that the terms of reference for the DLC review are still being finalised and the committee had agreed in December 2014 to consider the review once the Provisional Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) is adopted.

Councillors discussed what prompted this request from the board and when the Provisional LAP was due for adoption (expected May). LAP deliberations will be held at the end of March and the Chair of the LAP Hearings, Cr Cashmore, echoed the need to complete this process before the Provisional LAP can be finalised and that this decision will then give greater certainty about any impact on the DLC structure. This will also allow more time for staff to seek feedback on the DLCs from all 21 local boards. The committee confirmed its 2014 decision on the understanding a report on the review will be made to the June/July meeting.

Item 11: Strategy and Policy Forward Programme

A progress report on the Strategy and Policy Forward Programme was presented to committee. Of the 21 work items on the programme, nine are in development and 12 in implementation phases.

Item 12: Technical publications from council’s Research and Evaluation Unit

Auckland Council publishes a range of technical publications so that evidence, results and advice from its research, evaluations and monitoring programmes and data for statutory environmental monitoring responsibilities are reported and available publicly.

These reports are widely used by the public, government agencies and businesses and demonstrate the depth and breadth of research that council undertakes. The report was received and members acknowledged the value of this research to council’s decision-making process.

Item 13: Policing (Cost Recovery) Amendment Bill – submission by council

A retrospective report was presented to the committee on the council’s submission to the Law and Order Committee on the Policing (Cost Recovery) Amendment Bill. The submission was endorsed.

Ends

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