Community Services Committee
Report of a meeting held in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 30 Laings Road,
Lower Hutt on
Thursday 2 March 2017 commencing at 5.30pm
PRESENT: Cr G Barratt (Chair) Cr L Bridson
Cr J Briggs Cr S Edwards
Cr M Lulich Cr G McDonald
Cr C Milne Cr L Sutton
Mayor WR Wallace
APOLOGIES: Cr C Milne
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr M Reid, General Manager, Community Services
Ms C Johnston, Director, Museums
Mr M Mercer, Divisional Manager Community Hub
Mr G Stuart, Divisional Manager Regulatory Services
Mr S Keatley, Huia Pool Manager
Mr G Craig, Divisional Manager City Development
Ms H Clegg, Minute Taker
PUBLIC BUSINESS
Cr Briggs lead a welcoming Karakia.
1. APOLOGIES
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Resolved: (Cr Barratt/Cr Sutton) Minute No. CSC 17101 “That the apology received from Cr C Milne be accepted and leave of absence be granted.” |
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
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3. |
Wellington Region Emergency Management Office - 12 month update Mr Bruce Pepperell, Regional Manager/Group Controller, Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (‘WREMO’) presented a slide show detailing the last 12 months work of WREMO, assisted by Ms Cindy Mellor, Operational Readiness Advisor WREMO and the Divisional Manager Regulatory Services. Mr Pepperell explained that the November 2016 earthquake was the biggest earthquake to affect the region since the 1855 quake, and that the subsequent weather events had compounded the situation. He advised that as well as the Central Emergency Operations Centre, there were five Regional Centres operating after the event. He then explained the issues concerning the potential tsunami threat, stating that scientists were required to analyse a lot of data before concluding the earthquake was actually two events, and that these had involved a significant rupture at sea – a phenomenon that had not occurred before. This led to the uncertainty surrounding the initial reports of a “No tsunami threat”, and to that ultimately being reversed. Mr Pepperell advised the public should adhere to the “Strong, Long, Be Gone” rather than waiting for an official instruction. He stated that in future, sirens would not be used to broadcast a tsunami threat, as they were ineffectual, and may be damaged in a major event as they were powered by electricity. He acknowledged the complications, panic and confusion that had occurred as a direct result of the evolving situation, and that lessons had been learnt by all authorities. He stated WREMO’s first objective was to ensure public safety. With regard to communications, Mr Pepperell explained that this was a key part of WREMO’s operations and in the days following the event, there had been 10.7 million “hits” on all social communication methods including the Red Cross Hazard app). Mr Pepperell explained the changes which had occurred to the organisation in the aftermath of November 2016 including that central and local government links had been strengthened and the Wellington Regional Resilience Acceleration Group was strengthened to three dedicated staff members at both WREMO and Council. With regard to the Pyramid of Preparedness, Mr Pepperell confirmed training for all staff had been amended (noting that training was consistent across the region so that a person could work in any emergency centre without having to learn a new system). He also confirmed that technological upgrades had already occurred and the Wellington Regional Response Plan was currently being revised. He stated that improvements were being finalised including linkages between Council call centres and the emergency centre, installation and education of the Tsunami Blue Lines, finalising of the Hub Guide for use in all Civil Defence Centres and holding of business continuity symposia. He noted that it was his intention that all changes would be in operation within the next six months. Mr Pepperell clarified that the awareness after an event needed to be quicker, to enable correct messages to be sent to the public. In response to questions from members regarding the Tsunami Blue Lines, Mr Pepperell explained all those living within the zones should know what zone they live in. He explained the ideal way to educate the public on the Tsunami safe areas was through constant reinforcement, visibility and that the lines have been calculated according to a one in 6000 year event. With regard to educating the public on what to do in a disaster, Mr Pepperell informed members that a public education programme was about to commence. The Chair thanked Mr Pepperell and his team for their hard work and dedication. |
4. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS
There were no conflict of interest declarations.
5. Recommendation to Council - 14 March 2017
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A Second Electric Vehicle Car Park at Stevens Grove (17/238) |
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The Divisional Manager City Development elaborated on the report. He confirmed both electric vehicle car parks were P180. Members agreed that this was a commendable initiative, with the number of electric vehicles in the City projected to grow. |
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ReCOMMENDED: (Cr Barratt/Cr Bridson) Minute No. CSC 17102 “That the Committee recommends that Council approves the installation of a second Electric Vehicle Park in Stevens Grove, attached as Appendix 1 to the report.” |
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6. |
Register of Mobility Parks (17/118) Report No. CSC2017/1/2 by the Traffic Engineer |
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Cr Bridson asked whether the process for Managing Traffic Management Enquiries was an internal one or one that Council had approved. She considered that the process seemed to be re-active rather than pro-active. Officers were asked to investigate the question and report back to members directly. Cr McDonald advised that she transported her disabled father in her car with a mobility sticker she had applied for. She expressed concern that at mobility car parks the ramps were always on the driver’s side. Officers were asked to investigate installing ramps on the passenger side of mobility car parks and report back directly to members. Members discussed the legality of mobile drivers using mobility stickers and carparks when transporting disabled passengers. It was requested that officers clarify the legal situation and report directly back to members. Cr Briggs asked that the public be informed about where the mobility car parks were located within the City. He suggested that the list of mobility parks be placed on Council’s website, along with accompanying maps with street numbers to better identify where the parks were located. Officers were asked to follow up on this matter and report back directly to members. |
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Resolved: (Cr Barratt/Mayor Wallace) Minute No. CSC 17103 “That the Committee notes that officers maintain and review a register of mobility parks in Lower Hutt every three years.” |
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7. |
Activity Review - Museums (17/178) Report No. CSC2017/1/3 by the Director, Museums |
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The Director, Museums elaborated on the report. She stated that although the division was based at The Dowse, it managed all four museums. She gave a brief summary of the past year’s work. With regard to the current and future risks, the Director, Museums stated ongoing development and maintenance were issues. She added that her focus was on controlling risk, meeting expectations and setting appropriate revenue levels. She further added that The Dowse relied on generous businesses and was investigating ways of successfully approaching visitors to donate. In relation to the Public Art Gallery collections, the Director, Museums stated the Division was meeting all its KPI’s and was looking at ways to increase its social media coverage. She further stated that plans were underway to investigate how to digitise the entire Dowse collection. She explained that the Division was committed to Petone Settlers Museum’s future. With regard to the proposed foyer/entrance changes, the Director, Museums explained the proposed design was at concept drawing stage currrently and that $150,000 had already been budgeted for the work. She added that within The Dowse, other rooms would require money spent on AV equipment, furnishings and sound proofing, particularly in light of the Events Centre nearing completion. In response to a question from a member, the Director, Museums agreed the Pataka Museum in Porirua had high visitor numbers and that this occurred every year due to the exhibitions held there and the location of the museum on a main pedestrian thoroughfare. In response to questions from members, the Director, Museums explained that she did not have actual figures for the increase in numbers of visitors to the Petone Settlers Museum. She assured members that information would be forthcoming in the end of year reporting and she was confident of passing the 25,000 visitor number. She agreed that it would be preferable to have extra local visitors to The Dowse and that monitoring of the visitor numbers would improve in the coming year. In response to questions from members concerning advertising, the Director, Museums explained that the Dominion Post no longer ran an Arts Review section and that museums were having to rely more and more on social media and other avenues to advertise their exhibitions. She acknowledged that this was an area of focus. She confirmed that she would investigate Vibrant Hutt for future articles. She added that The Dowse regularly used the Hutt News as this had been highly successful in the past. In response to questions from members regarding finances, the Director, Museums stated she was constanty looking at ways to use existing monies in a cost effective way and how to generate more income. She highlighted the tourism market as having untapped potential in the Hutt Valley (including the cruise ship market), along with working more closely with the Maori population. The Director, Museums explained she had links with many arts related groups, associations and forums and that she was continually looking to create more value for the museums. The Chair congratulated the Director, Museums on her work to date. |
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Resolved: (Cr Barratt/Cr Lulich) Minute No. CSC 17104 “That the Committee: (i) notes the information contained in this report; (ii) notes that this review also meets the intent of section 17A of the Local Government Act 2002; (iii) agrees that a full section 17A review should not be undertaken at present for the reasons outlined in the report; and (iv) recommends that the Community Plan Committee considers funding $60,000 for promoting programmes and activities at the refurbished Petone Settlers Museum.” |
8. Information Item
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a) |
Community Services Committee Work Programme (17/214) Report No. CSC2017/1/33 by the Senior Committee Advisor |
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Resolved: (Cr Barratt/Cr McDonald) Minute No. CSC 17105 “That the work programme be received.” |
9. QUESTIONS
There were no questions.
There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 7.25pm.
Cr G Barratt
CHAIR
CONFIRMED as a true and correct record
Dated this 14th day of March 2017