Minutes of Community Services Committee

2 3 May 2018

Community Services Committee

Report of a meeting held in the The Re-Makery, 310 Waiwhetu Road, Epuni on

Thursday 3 May 2018 commencing at 6.05pm

PRESENT:

Cr G Barratt (Chair)
Cr L Bridson	Cr S Edwards
Cr M Lulich	Cr G McDonald
Cr L Sutton	Mayor WR Wallace

APOLOGIES: Apologies were received from Cr Briggs, Cr Milne, the General Manager, City and Community Services, the Divisional Manager, Community Hubs and the Divisional Manager, Community Projects and Relationships.

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr B Hodgins, Divisional Manager Parks and Gardens (part meeting)

Mr S Keatley, Huia Pool and Fitness Manager

Mr M Sherwood, Divisional Manager, Leisure Active

Ms J Randall, Committee Advisor

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Mayor Wallace blessed the meeting.

Suspension of Standing Orders

Resolved: (Cr Sutton/Cr Barratt) Minute No. CSC 18201

“That Standing Order 4.4 be temporarily suspended due to the technology not being available at the meeting venue.”

1. APOLOGIES

Resolved: (Cr Barratt/Mayor Wallace) Minute No. CSC 18202

“That the apologies received from Cr Briggs and Cr Milne be accepted and leave of absence be granted.”

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Comments are recorded under the item to which they relate.

3. Presentation

Verbal Update from Community Connections (18/495)

Mrs A Cole, a Service Coordinator at Community Connections, advised her organisation was not-for-profit and worked to support people with disabilities. It provided individualised support so that clients could continue to live in their own environment, build networks and reach goals. She highlighted their work as guides and mentors to help people with disabilities to build capabilities and live their lives. She said they worked hard to build resilience in their clients and dispel stigma.

In response to questions from members, Mrs Cole advised the organisation was funded by the Ministry of Health. She said clients were referred to them by GPs or Life Unlimited. She believed a new pilot that provided individual funding would give clients more control and choice than before.

In response to a question from a member, the Chair advised Community Connections was represented on Council’s Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Subcommittee.

4. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

There were no conflict of interest declarations.

PRECEDENCE OF BUSINESS

Resolved: (Cr Barratt/Mayor Wallace) Minute No. CSC 18205

“That in terms of Standing Order 10.4, precedence be accorded to Item 6 dealing with the Epuni Hall Lease.”

The item is recorded in the order in which it is listed on the order paper.

5. For Committee input prior to Community Plan Committee referral

Targeted Swimming Programmes (18/513)

Report No. CSC2018/2/102 by the Divisional Manager, Leisure Active

The Divisional Manager, Leisure Active elaborated on the report.

In response to questions from members, the Divisional Manager, Leisure Active advised the figure of $126,000 for extending the Magic Card scheme was based on the current card usage extrapolated to children in other schools and the cost of their pool visits. He said the effectiveness of Option 5 in other regions had not been investigated. He believed Option 5 would provide an effective resource to create connections with targeted children and their families in low decile areas.

Members discussed the benefits and disadvantages of Option 5 and noted the Community Plan Committee would make a final decision on the matter.

RECOMMENDED: (Cr Barratt/Cr Lulich) Minute No. CSC 18204

“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.”

6. Recommendation to Council - 22 May 2018

Epuni Community Hall Lease (18/578)

Speaking under public comment, Mr M Gibson, Chair of The Hutt City Musical Theatre (HCMT) advised the group comprised approximately 70 members and was in the process of setting up a junior musical theatre which would further increase its size. He said if the Epuni Hall lease was not renewed, the group would not be able to continue. He highlighted the group’s competency at managing bookings and the ability of regular users to continue to use the hall during production periods.

In response to questions from members, Mr Gibson said that limiting the time HCMT could use the facility would make it difficult for the group to continue. He estimated the cost of venue hire would double and the income loss from hall hire would make HCMT unsustainable. He noted that the Hutt Repertory Theatre would not be suitable for HCMT to use. He said the lease renewal was not discussed at the group’s meeting with officers in November 2017 and at the meeting in April 2018, officers did not consult or discuss their report. He emphasised that certainty of bookings and income were both needed since some shows ran at a loss and income from grants was unreliable. He confirmed the group advertised its contact details, kept the hall clean and tidy and ensured equitable use by hirers.

The Divisional Manager, Parks and Reserves elaborated on the report. He noted HCMT had been competently managing the lease on Epuni Hall. He emphasised his recommendation was a reflection of temporary hall closures and a response to a request from the Central Community Panel (the Panel) rather than a reflection on HCMT.

In response to questions from members, the Divisional Manager, Parks and Reserves said there were a number of new facilities available for groups to hire. He highlighted the Divisional Manager, Community Hubs would try to match groups with spaces available. He said the Panel had been aware of local groups that were in need of venues and recognised the Epuni Community Hall (the hall) was a valuable asset that could be more available. He was unclear if local groups had an issue with the affordability or the availability of venues.

Cr Edwards noted the Panel had been aware many groups in the community could not afford venue charges and the Panel had considered using their budget to pay the charges for some groups. He said it was important that HCMT recognised the hall was in high demand. Mayor Wallace believed there was potential to accommodate Naenae community groups in their local area. He suggested the Panel worked alongside groups to find venues.

The motion was taken in parts. Parts (i) – (iii) were declared CARRIED on the voices.

RECOMMENDED: (Cr Barratt/Mayor Wallace) Minute No. CSC 18205

“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 to renew the lease with the Hutt City Musical Theatre for a defined period (say 3 years), working closely with the organisation to help increase use of the facility by other regular users.”

7.	General Manager's Report (18/472) Report No. CSC2018/2/103 by the General Manager, City and Community Services
	Speaking under public comment, Ms V Perris representing Plunket, expressed appreciation for Plunket’s ability to use the community hubs. She noted they were strategically placed, encouraged a higher uptake of clients and enabled clients to access other services. She highlighted the collegial support Plunket staff received from other staff at the hubs that enabled them to better provide care and support. Responding to a question from a member, Ms Perris highlighted the beneficial nature of the hubs to Plunket’s work and reinforced Plunket’s interest in being a part of any future hubs. The Divisional Manager, Leisure Active elaborated on the report. In response to questions from members, the Divisional Manager, Leisure Active advised the design brief for the proposed Naenae Hub covered goals and space requirements rather than design. He added engineers would be assessing the feasbility of connecting the Naenae Pool to the Naenae Hub. He confirmed the Divisional Manager, Community Hubs would be meeting with staff to discuss the requirements of other Council divisions such as Archives and Emergency Operations. Mayor Wallace clarified that the viability of the Wainuiomata Library and Community Centre was not at risk. He noted the Wainuiomata Hub would be a re-development of the existing library and community centre rather than a new centre.
	Resolved: (Cr Barratt/Cr Sutton) Minute No. CSC 18206 “That the Committee notes the updates contained in the report.”
8.	Presentation for Meeting on 5 July 2018 (18/655) Report No. CSC2018/2/64 by the Committee Advisor The Chair advised that the next meeting to be held on 5 July 2018 would be held at a community space with details to be advised shortly. She proposed that meetings continued to be held in the community. Members noted that the Committee would receive a presentation from YOUth Inspire at its next meeting. Members thanked Ms Milne and her team for their warm welcome to the Re-Makery.

9. QUESTIONS

There were no questions.

There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 7.30 pm.

Cr G Barratt

CHAIR

CONFIRMED as a true and correct record

Dated this 22^nd day of May 2018