TCDC appoints representatives to external bodies

Mayor has most involvement, reflecting importance of key relationships

Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Glenn Leach has just had his workload increased by being appointed as the Thames-Coromandel District Council representative on a range of external bodies.

Some of the appointments are required by statute but others have been made in recognition of the importance that Council places on its external relationships.

The full list of Council appointees, as approved at the latest Council meeting are:

• Tourism Coromandel - Eddie Morrow (as Mayoral representative); Cr Dianne Connors and Cr Jan Bartley as alternate.

• Hauraki Gulf Forum - Cr Wyn Hoadley; Mayor Glenn Leach as alternate.

• Thames/Coromandel/Hauraki Local Management Group (health issues) - Cr Dianne Connors.

• Environment Waikato Regional Land Transport Committee - Mayor Glenn Leach and Deputy Mayor Peter French.

• Environment Waikato Regional Passenger Transport Committee - Matamata-Piako District Council representative or Hauraki District Council nominee.

• Environment Waikato Waihou-Piako Liaison Sub Committee - Cr Murray McLean.

• Environment Waikato Coromandel Sub Committee - Cr Tony Brljevich.

• Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Joint Committee - Mayor Glenn Leach; Deputy Mayor Peter French as alternate.

• Thames Valley Combined Civil Defence Emergency Management Committee - Mayor Glenn Leach and Deputy Mayor Peter French.

• Rates Postponement Project Joint Committee - Mayor Glenn Leach.

• Hauraki Coromandel Development Group - Mayor Glenn Leach and Deputy Mayor Peter French.

TCDC submission on Marine and Coastal Area
Bill seeks to protect Council rights

Concerns expressed about lack of community input

Thames-Coromandel District Council has signed off on a submission to the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill 2010 proceeding in its current form.

The latest Council meeting considered a draft submission on the Bill prepared by staff, which highlighted the potential for agreement to be reached between the Minister and Iwi without reference to other parties, including local government.

Councillors agreed that the submission should strongly reflect the need for some form of consultative process when considering the impacts of any customary interests application. Currently the Bill provides for two avenues for redress for Iwi - through an application to the High Court or by direct negotiations with the Crown.

The Bill also provides for Iwi that hold a customary marine title to develop a plan that must be included in the relevant local government planning documents. Concern was expressed that these plans could be developed without being required to follow a public process as currently required under the Resource Management Act. TCDC believes better outcomes will be achieved if all planning documents are developed in a collaborative way.

Council also wanted stronger provisions in dealing with wahi tapu recognition orders. Councillors want it written into the Bill that the Minister is required to have regard for local authority views when considering wahi tapu applications, although it generally supports the creation of wahi tapu areas.

Hauraki District Plan submission generally supportive

TCDC backs provision for rural zoning to remain on western side of Kopu Bridge

Thames-Coromandel District Council is supportive of Hauraki District Council's plans to keep land west of the Kopu Bridge zoned rural because it will prevent mirror development across the river that could impact on Kopu's growth.

The Council has lodged a submission on the Proposed Hauraki District Plan, which has recently been notified, that retains the rural zoning for the area.

The submission also supports inclusion of the proposed Hauraki Plains Trail Cycleway within the plan with a view to ensuring consistent provisions apply where developments such as this cross Council boundaries. Similar provisions are sought for navigational rules for the Waihou, Hikutaia and Otahu Rivers.

TCDC is also seeking consistency to recognise that holiday homes are also dwellings as is the case in the TCDC District Plan.

The submission also supports HDC's proposal to retain the Conservation (Indigenous Forest) Zone and Coastal Zone in the Hauraki District Plan, as well as requiring a minimum 40 hectare net lot size for rural submissions.

Whangamata Surf Lifesaving Club lease issues resolved

Club to pay $100 per year plus GST for next 20 years

Thames-Coromandel District Council has signed off on a 20 year lease with the Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club for the use of the land occupied by the club at Williamson Park since 1957.

In line with its three-tier lease policy, as an emergency service the club will be required to pay $100 per year plus GST over this period. In addition, the club will pay one service charge for wastewater, water and solid waste. (This equates to $1402.45 based on 2010/2011 fees and charges).

The approved lease has no provision for rent reviews.

In approving the lease the Council acknowledged it was setting a precedent but stressed this relates only to leases held by groups classified as emergency services - it does not apply to sports clubs or other not-for-profit organisations. Their situation would be considered as part of an overall review of Council's leases policy in conjunction with a wider property strategy review in the new year.

The Council was told the Whangamata Surf Lifesaving Club needed a formal lease to support its fundraising activities, but it had been reluctant to sign up to a contract that did not provide certainty as to the costs over the lease period. The club was concerned that its rent and charges could be increased substantially by a later Council decision.

Thames Community Safety Night Patrol gets TCDC backing and funding

Previous $8000 budget increased to $12,440 to meet 2011/2012 costs

"Night Owls" will continue to patrol Thames streets at night thanks to support and funding from the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

The latest Council meeting was told that previous arrangements with the former Thames-Coromandel Community Safety Trust had come to an end, with a Community Constable taking over some of the role of the former community safety officer and other arrangements being made for bylaw enforcement.

However, this has left the Thames Community Safety Night Patrol without a home and funding.

Council has agreed to enter into a Service Level Agreement with it, and will provide $12,440 in its 2011/12 Annual Plan for the group.

TCDC establishes formal Mayoral Fund policy

Council told fund currently has $8000 annual budget

Thames-Coromandel District Council has adopted a formal policy to cover the use of the Mayoral Fund, which currently receives $8000 in funding from the District Leadership budget.

The Mayoral Fund provides funding for:

• Causes that will promote the profile of a community or the District.

• Causes of hardship that fall outside the community or District grants criteria.

• Emergency/disaster situations where the District has no other provision to cater for the event.

Applications for funding may be approved for not-for-profit community groups/organisations and individuals, but no funding will be granted to business initiatives or commercial enterprises.

ENDS

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