Key outcomes from Ordinary Council meeting 11 June 2024

You can watch the recording of the meeting on Council’s YouTube channel.

Please note that these notes are informal notes on the key outcomes from the meeting. The formal minutes and official record will be endorsed at the next council meeting.

Minutes and Committees – Council endorsed the minutes of several meetings and committees including the April Council meeting, May extra ordinary council meeting, Risk and Assurance Committee, Chief Executive’s Performance Committee Meeting, Bay of Plenty Mayoral Forum, Regional Transport Committee and Coast Community Board.

Papers also included the regular reports from the CEO and Mayor and an update from the Ōpōtiki Marine Advisory Group (OMAG).

Public submissions – there were no speakers in the public forum (the report had a speaker who had requested to speak but he was unable to attend).

Adoption of Rates remission and Postponement Policy – This policy outlines the process and approach to waiving or reducing rates owed by a ratepayer due to hardship. The policy is a consolidation of four policies into one and was open for public submissions during March and April. No submissions were received and so the policy was adopted without change from the draft in March.

Hukutaia Plan Change project update – following the decision of council to proceed with the Hukutaia plan change in December last year, this report provided an update on the work and projected timeframes for the plan change, particularly in light of changes in national legislation. Of particular note was clarification on Bay of Plenty Regional Council rules that mean that existing septic tanks within Hukutaia will continue to be permitted once the area is reticulated.

You can read more about the Hukutaia Growth Plan on the website.

Princess Street Grandstand – The grandstand building in Princess Street Reserve is an earthquake-prone building with a number of other structural issues. In 2022, the stairs were removed but the lower level continued to be used as toilet and change facilities. Staff sought direction from council on future solutions to the issues. Council voted to remove the wooden grandstand from the top of the building and then reroof and upgrade the changing rooms and toilets. This work could be funded from the funds set aside to earthquake strengthen council buildings that are part of the Better Off Funding. This will now go out for tender.