Agenda of Community Services Committee

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
Membership:	9
Meeting Cycle:	Meets on a six weekly basis, as required or at the requisition of the Chair
Quorum:	Half of the members
Reports to:	Council

7 03 May 2018

Community Services Committee

03 April 2018

File: (18/513)

Report no: CSC2018/2/102

Targeted Swimming Programmes

Purpose of Report

1. To consider options for targeted funding to improve access to swimming for children.

Recommendations

That the Committee recommends that the Community Plan Committee:

(i) receives the report;

(ii) notes that of all the options presented, officers believe Option 5 (new position – requested funding $80,000) would make the greatest difference; and

(iii) notes that currently there is no funding identified in the draft Long Term Plan for any of the presented items.

For the reason: If funding was identified and approved the officers’ preferred option would provide for a dedicated resource to drive a range of initiatives within targeted communities improving accessibility and capability. This is consistent with current Council policies and strategies.

Background

2. Council considered a report in December 2017 to make swimming free for Under 5's (attached as Appendix One to the report). Council agreed the following actions from this report:

(i) notes that Hutt City Council pools are currently well used by residents;

(ii) notes that there is no evidence that making swimming free for under-fives produces long term increased usage by this group;

(iii) notes that other barriers such as transport and parental support and ability are greater limiting factors to usage than price alone;

(iv) agrees to remain within the current charging policy for the 2017-18 financial year; and

(iv) refers the matter to the Community Plan Committee to consider options for targeted investment for improving access to swimming for children.”

3. At the December 2017 meeting officers did not recommend the adoption of free swimming for Under 5’s. While similar initiatives showed an initial increase in usage by this group, this increased usage soon diminished and returned to normal levels within 18 months.

4. Furthermore there was no evidenced improvement in swimming ability or water safety from these initiatives.

5. Officers suggested that if Council was willing to invest in this area, then a more targeted approach would likely achieve more. Officers also updated Council on a number of successful and targeted initiatives currently being offered.

6. As requested, and should Council want to consider further investment in this area, the following are options to improve access to swimming for children.

7. Note: none of these are included in the draft budget.

Discussion

Option 1 - Expand Splashtime Sessions - Funding Requested $23,000

8. Splashtime is a popular preschool programme introduced at Huia Pool this year. This is an instructor-led drop-in session where parents and pre-schoolers are introduced to waterplay techniques to build confidence in and around the water for both parents and children.

9. The proposed funding covers the cost of instructors for the programme with participants continuing to pay the pool entry fee of $3.50 (child and parent).

10. This proposal would allow for 8 sessions per week across our 3 indoor pools and an additional 5 sessions per week during Summer at our outdoor pools, with an estimated attendance of 3,500 children per year.

11. This proposal would improve adult and child water confidence encouraging greater parent-led water education.

Option 2 - Introduce Kiwisport Style Lessons to Early Childhood Centres (ECE’s) - Funding Requested $25,000

12. Council currently secures Kiwisport Regional Funding to subsidise eight instructed lessons for all school children in Lower Hutt. The rate of subsidy depends on the decile rating of the school.

13. We are currently experiencing increased enquiries from Early Childhood Centres for similar group lesson bookings. There are currently 106 ECE’s registered in Lower Hutt City.

14. This proposal is to reduce the cost of lessons from the current $14.50 to $5.00 per lesson for these group bookings or $50 per child for a set of 10 lessons.

15. The proposed fee change will make the proposal cost-neutral for Council. Currently we have budgeted a 25k profit from ECE lessons therefore the requested funding will cover this loss of profit.

16. It is estimated that within 3 years up to 20% of ECE’s may enrol in the programme affecting around 900 children per year.

17. This proposal would reduce barriers for working parents who have limited time to take children to lessons. To make these lessons free for low decile communities would cost a further $60,000.

Option 3 - First Set of Lessons Free for Under 3’s – Funding Requested $10,000

18. Swim City offers public lessons for Under 3’s at a cost of $145 per term. The proposal is to offer the first set of lessons free for all Under 3 enrolments.

19. The funding requested covers the loss of revenue based on an uptake of 16 spaces per term or 64 children per year.

20. This proposal would reduce the barrier of cost for the initial lesson but would not reduce ongoing costs. Parents however who have taken part in these sessions will have gained ideas on how to engage children in meaningful water play.

Option 4 - Extend Magic Card – Funding Requested $126,000

21. Council currently issues Magic Cards to four schools in the North East. One of the benefits of these cards is to provide free entry to swimming pools.

22. The proposal is to extend the scheme to all 17 decile 1-3 schools. This would affect around 3,000 children.

23. This proposal would reduce the barrier of cost for these children and likely initially increase usage.

24. However as highlighted in the Under 5’s report there is no evidence that this increase will sustain in the longer term and that without a structured programme there is unlikely to be an improvement in water safety and swimming ability.

Option 5 - New Position – Requested Funding $80,000

25. Introduce a new position to work directly with schools and ECE’s in our most deprived communities to improve the quality and frequency of aquatic programmes provided and target individual children who would benefit from more intensive interactions.

26. The position would work closely with teachers and other education providers to expand the effectiveness and reach of current lessons provided and introduce new initiatives (eg: Splashtime, ECE lessons, Water Skills for Life) in a more targeted manner.

27. Requested funding would cover the cost of one FTE and operational funding for targeted initiatives which could include assistance with transport. Potentially this proposal could affect up to 6,000 children.

28. This proposal would address capacity and capability issues as well as reduce barriers such as transport. It would leverage funding which is already provided through initiatives such as Kiwisport in schools.

Options

29. The Committee could recommend to the Community Plan Committee one or more of the above options for funding consideration or seek more information on alternative proposals.

30. Officers recommend Option 5, as this option provides a dedicated resource to drive a range of initiatives within targeted communities.

31. Funding for all of these initiatives could be considered on a short term or permanent basis.

Consultation

32. None at this stage.

Legal Considerations

33. None.

Financial Considerations

34. Detailed in the report.

Other Considerations

35. In making this recommendation, officers have given careful consideration to the purpose of local government in section 10 of the Local Government Act 2002. Officers believe that this recommendation falls within the purpose of local government in that it improves access to local public services. It does this in a way that is cost-effective because it considers the effect on rates and user charges in delivery of community outcomes.

Appendices

No.	Title	Page
1 ⇩	Free Swimming Report	12

Author: Marcus Sherwood

Divisional Manager, Leisure Active

Approved By: Matt Reid

General Manager City and Community Services

18 03 May 2018

Community Services Committee

10 April 2018

File: (18/578)

Report no: CSC2018/2/114

Epuni Community Hall Lease

Purpose of Report

1. This report considers the future management of the Epuni Community Hall, with the current lease having expired in September 2017.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Committee recommends that Council:

(i) notes that the main part of the Epuni Community Hall is leased to the Hutt City Musical Theatre which manages the hall for its use and makes it available to other groups for hire;

(ii) notes that the lease expired on 30 September 2017 and since then has been on a month-to-month basis; and

(iii) agrees that Council takes back the management of the hall from 1 July 2018 with the Musical Theatre being given bookings preference in recognition of its previous tenure.

For the reason that there is a need to improve the use and availability of the hall, particularly with the Naenae Community Hall being out of commission for 12-18 months and the Horticultural Hall no longer available.

Background

2. In 1988 the former Lower Hutt City Council decided to lease the Epuni Community Hall to the Lower Hutt Operatic Society. This decision followed a comprehensive review of community hall usage. It was seen as a new approach with the Council previously having managed this hall and all other community halls.

3. Avalon Park Pavilion, the Treadwell Street (Ex YWCA) Hall and the Naenae, Stokes Valley and Taita Community Halls were also subject to lease arrangements which were agreed to by Council over the next few years. Of these only the Avalon Park Pavilion continues to be leased.

4. Hutt City Musical Theatre, (formerly the Operatic Society) currently leases the Epuni Community Hall, but this is now on a month-to-month basis with the lease period having expired on 30 September 2017. The Musical Theatre has requested a further 3 year lease term.

5. The Musical Theatre is an incorporated society dedicated to bringing quality musical theatre to Lower Hutt. As an amateur company it provides an opportunity for individuals and families to become involved in musical theatre productions in a variety of roles. It puts on two or three shows a year.

6. A meeting with a representative of the Musical Theatre revealed that, apart from its own requirements, there were only two other regular hirers, one a community church organisation and the other Scottish dancing. The hall also had casual hirers from time to time.

7. Plunket also leases part of the hall for the purposes of a toy library and there are some areas which are jointly used by the Musical Theatre and the toy library. The Plunket lease is due to expire at the end of 2019.

Discussion

8. The Musical Theatre and its predecessors have had a long (30 years) and successful association with the Epuni Community Hall and in normal circumstances a renewal of a lease arrangement would be appropriate. However, due to changing circumstances with a decrease in venue availability (that is with the demolition of the Horticultural Hall and the imminent unavailability of the Naenae Community Hall), having this hall managed in-house by Council would ensure better control, flexibility and fairness in allocating what is likely to become a resource in greater demand.

9. Council currently manages most of its other halls in this way so it would mean that there would be greater consistency across the various Council-owned halls for hire.

10. Officers would work with the Musical Theatre to provide it with some surety of use for its planned productions and put in place a plan for handover.

Options

11. There are two main options to consider. The first is to renew the lease with the Musical Theatre for a defined period (say 3 years), working closely with the organisation to help increase use of the facility by other regular hirers.

12. The second option is for Council to take back the day-to-day management of the hall, negotiating with the Musical Theatre suitable access for its show and rehearsal requirements. This is the preferred option as it will provide Council with more flexibility in managing community need for hall space, particularly with the redevelopment of the Naenae Community Hall.

Consultation

13. Officers met with a representative of the Musical Theatre in November to discuss the lease and related matters. A further meeting has been arranged in mid-April to discuss the contents of this report.

14. The Central Community Panel has discussed this matter and is supportive of Council taking back control of the hall as it considers that there are opportunities for wider community use not currently being realised.

Legal Considerations

15. As the community hall is located on reserve land any lease is subject to the Reserves Act 1977.

Financial Considerations

16. The Musical Theatre pays an annual lease rental of $3,000 per annum and meets other day-to-day operational costs such as cleaning, electricity and minor maintenance.

17. Council would need to pick up these day-to-day operational costs, but would also receive the hire income which is expected to mostly offset these costs, subject to the Musical Theatre paying its share of hire rental charges. Council has a halls booking system in place for all of the other halls it manages. This is a marginal cost which can be managed within existing resources.

18. With either option Council meets all programmed maintenance costs. The interior of the hall has recently been redecorated ($100k), with the exterior planned for the 2019/20 financial year ($77k).

Other Considerations

19. In making this recommendation, officers have given careful consideration to the purpose of local government in section 10 of the Local Government Act 2002. Officers believe that this recommendation falls within the purpose of local government in that it considers the future management of a Council owned community asset.

Appendices

There are no appendices for this report.

Author: Bruce Hodgins

Divisional Manager, Parks and Gardens

Author: Marcus Sherwood

Divisional Manager, Leisure Active

Approved By: Matt Reid

General Manager City and Community Services

21 03 May 2018

- Community Services Committee

26 March 2018

File: (18/472)

Report no: CSC2018/2/103

General Manager's Report

Purpose of Report

1. The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with a general update from the City and Community Services Group.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Committee notes the updates contained in the report.

Background

2. The Chair of the Community Services Committee and General Manager City and Community Services agreed that a report from Community Services should be provided at each meeting.

Discussion

3. An update is provided below. Officers request Committee members provide feedback on the sort of information they would most like included in these updates.

Overall Comments from General Manager

4. At the last Community Services Committee meeting, a report was requested regarding Council’s efforts regarding graffiti eradication. During March and April 2018 the graffiti contract has been through a full tender process. For this reason a more appropriate time to report on this work will be at your next meeting.

5. During CPC deliberations, Council requested additional information and clarity regarding the following:

· Dowse Collection Acquisition Budget

2016/17 - $26,000

2017/18 - $40,000

2018/19 - $43,000

This amount enables us to add carefully selected works to The Dowse’s collection each year. Following our collection policy, acquisitions are focused on building on our collection strengths (especially ceramics, jewellery and photography) and creating a more diverse representation of New Zealand art (more work by women and Māori and Pacific artists, to balance out a historical tendency to acquire the work of male Pākehā artists). Every work purchased is carefully evaluated for its ability to be regularly incorporated into exhibitions at The Dowse, as part of a “working collection.” Where possible, we acquire works that have been shown at The Dowse, to continue to tell the story of our history. We tend to acquire 3-6 works per year, at the modest end of the contemporary art market.

· SV Koraunui Hub extended hours – on average the new Hub is open 66 hours per week. This compares to the previous Library hours of 42 per week. The Hub is also increasingly being booked after hours for private and wider community use.

Museums

Events

6. Two new exhibitions have opened at The Dowse since the last report:

· Sleeping Arrangements is the 2017/18 Blumhardt Foundation / Creative New Zealand internship exhibition, an annual event in our calendar. Curated by Simon Gennard, the exhibition is centred on works by Malcolm Harrison from The Dowse’s collection and includes work by three other artists from more recent generations.

· Shannon Te Ao: my life as a tunnel is a new project by this Wellington-based artist, who won the prestigious Walters Prize in 2016. The exhibition is paired by works from the collection by the late Ralph Hotere.

7. Planning for a joint set of events and symposia around feminism and art by women in early July is underway – this is a collaboration between The Dowse, City Gallery Wellington, Enjoy Public Art Gallery and the Adam Art Gallery. It will coincide with the start of a major exhibition of work by senior New Zealand women artists at The Dowse, part of our contribution to the 125th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage.

8. The next new exhibition module at Petone Settlers Museum opens on 13 May, and focuses on the Petone architectural marker Price’s Folly.

Museum Updates

9. Summer hours have finished at Petone Settlers Museum; we are now open 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday until November.

10. Our 2018/19 Blumhardt Foundation / Creative New Zealand intern will be Milly Mitchell-Anyon. This is the 12th time The Dowse has hosted this extremely successful opportunity for an early career curator, and many of the graduates of the programme have gone on to success in the cultural sector.

11. Our long-serving Graphic Designer Michael Pester and our Front of House and Retail Manager Sasha Greig both finished their time with the Museums team in March. In April we welcomed their replacements, Eva Charlton and Nicola Fowlie.

Community Arts Updates

12. The Creative Communities Funding Scheme Round 1 for 2017/18 closed on 26 March. 20 applications were received, asking for approximately $68,000 in funding; there is $35,000 to allocate. The Creative Communities panel meets on 1 May.

13. Planning is well underway for the Hutt Winter Festival, and a project manager has been contracted to assist Pippa Sanderson in delivering this programme. Festival dates are confirmed for 17-19 August.

Other items

14. Shapeshifter is a biennial outdoor sculpture exhibition, organised by the Rotary Club of Hutt City and held in alternating years in February-March in the Riddiford Gardens. The 2018 exhibition was cancelled, partly due to uncertainty around whether the Gardens would be available (in the event they were not) and partly to allow the Club to assess their capacity to continue to run the event. Following a request from the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Arts & Culture Subcommittee, Courtney Johnston met with the Chair of the Shapeshifter sculpture exhibition committee to discuss potential partnerships for a 2020 exhibition. The Club is still assessing whether they wish to continue with the event. An update will be provided to the Arts & Culture Subcommittee when a decision is reached.

15. The Hutt Sister City Foundation made a submission to Council’s Long-term Plan consultation in 2017 regarding the possibility of new sculptural or building commissions in the Civic Precinct to mark sister city relationships. Courtney Johnston met with the Foundation Chair Paul Duffin to discuss their submission. It was resolved that there is no current funding to commission such sculptures for the area, and extra buildings in the Civic Gardens are out of scope of the current plans. It was suggested that a dedicated area on the Community Pathway outside The Dowse could be a good option for a public acknowledgement of sister city relationships, which could also easily be extended over time to mark anniversaries and new relationships.

Leisure Active

Highlights

16. Our three outdoor pools have now closed for the Summer with the outstanding weather resulting in a 63% increase in usage at these sites. The extended hours of operation were well received and supported by the public.

17. Our subsidised Kiwisport swimming lessons in schools was in full swing this term with over 30,000 lessons delivered across the city.

18. The new Huia Pool and Fitness continues to perform well with Fitness memberships reaching 740 at the end of March. Women’s Only Night has restarted in the hydrotherapy pool with over half of the women attending from ESOL classes in Lower Hutt.

19. The Weetbix Tri was once again hosted at Huia Pool and Hutt Rec in March with 1,550 children participating, an increase on previous years.

20. A new Thai Box Class has been piloted at Stokes Valley Hub in conjunction with the Fitness Suite. This has been well attended with an average of 25 people per night.

21. The Northeast Pathways has had a big participation month with 2,143 instances of physical activity created this term across cricket, yoga, a visit round the bays, and an EOTC swimming day.

22. The Tumbling Club developed at Walter Nash Centre has had a strong start and seems to have a sustainable model. At this stage we have cause to believe that at least 60 children from across Taita/ Pomare/ Stokes Valley will attend each week, having had 160 attendees during February.

23. The Active in the Hutt team have created 1,205 instances of physical activity just through our group fitness and exercise offerings during February. This is across our running group, group fitness, yoga and falls prevention programming.

24. Our ‘Play’ project continues to gain momentum, with a community ‘play n create’ trailer gaining funding from Cummings Kilgariff & Co Realty and ready to be launched in schools in Term 2, linking with the Healthy Streets initiative and continuing conversations with Sport NZ on funding a dedicated Play Champion at Council.

25. The Healthy Families team have been heavily involved in advancing our Smokefree Public Places policy including consultation within town centres, working with the Naenae community to investigate a fresh produce market, working with Council divisions to increase water availability in public spaces, championing the ‘play’ philosophy across Council and in community.

Challenges

26. Increased attendances and extended hours at pools also mean increased operational costs. This is partially offset by additional revenue.

27. Extending the ‘Play’ philosophy into community presents some health and safety challenges which are being worked through with our Health and Safety team.

28. We are currently awaiting renewal of our Healthy Families contract funding from the Ministry of Health. Current funding is due to finish in July.

Libraries

29. We will continue to provide library services for Upper Hutt customers until at least the end of April dependent when they can reopen.

30. Work has started on a pilot with St Bernard’s College following on from our work at Taita College. Our objective is to increase student engagement with electronic resources in particular and their public library generally.

31. Naenae Clubhouse created a video for suicide awareness that was covered in the media. They have also created a promotional video to encourage public participation in the Long Term Plan process.

Community Hubs

32. Koraunui Stokes Valley: Our new manager has been confirmed and starts with us on 9 April. Visitor numbers at the hub continue to exceed expectations with over 100,000 visitors between November – February (12 month forecast was 150,000). Our partnerships have been very successful.

33. Walter Nash Centre leagues have now begun again and the centre is becoming extremely busy. Café Boston has opened its doors which is a partnership between Council, café operators and Youth Inspire to offer training and employment to clients of Youth Inspire. Twilight basketball has been received exceedingly well and we welcome Councillors to come down at 10:00pm on a Friday night at our next advertised session.

34. Wainuiomata Hub is undertaking some remedial works now and early in the new financial year, to ensure the facility remains viable to use for the next five years. Several large community events (arts exhibition and rural fest) have been successful.

35. A focus for hubs over the coming 12 months is to clarify and strengthen the offering across literacy, recreation, arts, and technology access, whilst maintaining commercial viability.

36. Overall, the three hubs are tracking above projected visitation levels for the financial year.

37. Naenae hub consultation has concluded and the analysis report is available on request. It will be uploaded onto the Council website once the project page goes live. A number of planning exercises and research have been conducted to inform key decisions about the project. A version one business case has been completed, and in the coming months a design brief will be crafted based on consultation and key Council requirements.

Community Partnerships & Relationships

38. Community Funding

· Strategy

o Sessions were held across the city with groups promoting the new strategy. Initial focus was groups that were funded last year, and groups whose funding will be collapsed from 1 July 2019.

o Testing has been completed for changes to our Grants System. The Community Funding Advisor will run further sessions with community on these changes in May/June.

· Round table reporting held for previous grant recipients.

39. Te Awakairangi Access (TAKA)Trust

· Rata Street WIFI Pilot

TAKA trust with the help of its partners (MOE, Chorus and Network 4 Learning (N4L)) will soon be delivering the controlled WIFI access to tamariki in their homes.

120 whanau from Rata Street will receive fibre to their homes and have access to their school internet with N4L enabling education to happen in the after-hours space.

· Wellington Orchestra will be putting on a world class performance on the 18^th May at the Walter Nash the night after the Hutt Valley Sports Awards.

This event is free for the local community and it will be an event which will light up the North-East. The evening theme will be themed with Star Wars, Moana, other Disney themes incorporated with classical music.

All North-East schools have been invited and buses will be provided for schools that require transport.

· Free Bikes in Schools

Ride Holidays (who provide cycle holidays) sought funding support from its clients to support improving access to bikes for kids in low decile schools. This resulted in the purchase of 27 brand new bikes. These bikes went to Taita Central and a formal thank you is currently being arranged by the school TAKA and Council.

40. YOUth Inspire

Priority projects identified outside of business as usual to support growth of the group and maximize opportunities for Rangatahi: (All Board members to take up additional responsibilities)

o Construction and Infrastructure Collective

o Community Driving School

o Long Term Partnerships

o Business Events

New Board Members: Karen Morgan (Principal, Taita College) and Sean Hansen (HV Area Commander, Police).

We have received $30,000 from Lotteries funding towards operational costs.

41. Ministry of Social Development has moved the Naenae Akoranga Holiday programme to a multi -year funding arrangement. Funding now secured for the next 2 years.

42. City Safety function is currently operating in a limited capacity. The new City Safety Manager begins on 30 April.

City & Community Services Group and Community Facilities Trust (CFT) Significant Projects

43. The status of these projects is as follows:

Fraser Park Sports and Community Hub

· The Fraser Park Sports and Community Hub is well under construction with approximately 41% of the building now completed. The majority of the building structure, including the first floor and roof beams, are now in place.

· Fundraising for the project is also going well with “only” $927,935 now to be raised to meet the agreed budget of $13.1 million. Funds raised from small Hutt City businesses who have agreed to sponsor parts of the project have now reached over $387,000. Total fundraising for the project has now reached $2,172,065.

Wainuiomata and Petone Sportsvilles

· A preliminary business case has been completed by Visitor Solutions for both Wainuiomata and Petone Sportsvilles. Both organisations are now refining these plans to meet their operational needs and desired outcomes. Wainuiomata Sportsville will present this to founding clubs for sign-off prior to further design development taking place.

· In the case of Petone an alternative development option is being explored. This essentially follows the withdrawal of two clubs from Sportsville. If an alternative development option is the preferred scenario then Council will need to consider and endorse this alternative before any further work is undertaken.

· In regard to both Sportsville developments, it has become clear during business case development that lease costs (which include rates and insurance) will be challenging for clubs if they are based on capital values as is currently the case. A report on rates chargeable to Sportsvilles is due to be considered by Council early this year.

Other Considerations

44. In making this recommendation, officers have given careful consideration to the purpose of local government in section 10 of the Local Government Act 2002. Officers believe that this recommendation falls within the purpose of local government.

Appendices

There are no appendices for this report.

Author: Sandra Mann

Divisional Manager, Libraries

Author: Melanie Laban

Divisional Manager, Community Projects and Relationships

Author: Mike Mercer

Divisional Manager Community Hubs

Author: Marcus Sherwood

Divisional Manager, Leisure Active

Author: Courtney Johnston

Director, Museums

Approved By: Matt Reid

General Manager City and Community Services

[1] This excludes sites that are considered high profile, significant on a city-wide basis due to their size and location, or where the site crosses ward or community boundaries.

[2] The Operational Guide for Urban Forest Plan is available from Council’s Parks and Gardens Division.

Cr L Bridson	Cr J Briggs (Deputy Chair)
Cr S Edwards	Cr M Lulich
Cr G McDonald	Cr C Milne
Cr L Sutton

Mayor W R Wallace (Ex Officio)

Determine and monitor:

Consider and make recommendations to Council:

General: