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

HUTT CITY COUNCIL

Community Services Committee

Meeting to be held in the Koraunui Stokes Valley Community Hub, Kawakawa Room 184 Stokes Valley Road, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt on

Thursday 5 July 2018 commencing at 5.00pm.

ORDER PAPER

Public Business

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies have been received from Mayor Wallace and Cr Milne.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Generally up to 30 minutes is set aside for public comment (three minutes per speaker on items appearing on the agenda). Speakers may be asked questions on the matters they raise.

3. Presentations

a) Visual Presentation on Accessibility for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (18/1100)

A visual presentation from Ms K Pointon on accessibility of services for the deaf, hearing impaired and those with disabilities.

b) Verbal Presentation from a Representative of the Toimata Foundation (18/1095)

A verbal presentation from Ms M Ducat, a representative of the Toimata Foundation.

c) Verbal Presentation from a Representative of YOUth Inspire (18/1096)

A verbal presentation from Ms A Black, a representative of YOUth Inspire.

4. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

5. Recommendation to Council – 24 July 2018

Report of the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Advisory Group (18/1106)

Report No. CSC2018/3/202 by the Divisional Manager, Strategy and Planning 7

Chair’s Recommendation:

“That the recommendations contained in the report be endorsed.”

6. Update on Graffiti Removal and Reduction Service (18/1040)

Report No. CSC2018/3/96 by the Graffiti Manager/Contracts Officer 13

Chair’s Recommendation:

“That the recommendation contained in the report be endorsed.”

7. Wellington Regional Amenities Fund - Update (18/1082)

Memorandum dated 18 June 2018 by the Committee Advisor 20

Chair’s Recommendation:

“That the recommendation contained in the memorandum be endorsed.”

8. General Manager's Report (18/938)

Report No. CSC2018/3/184 by the Divisional Manager, Libraries 31

Chair’s Recommendation:

“That the recommendation contained in the report be endorsed.”

9. QUESTIONS

With reference to section 32 of Standing Orders, before putting a question a member shall endeavour to obtain the information. Questions shall be concise and in writing and handed to the Chair prior to the commencement of the meeting.

Judy Randall

COMMITTEE ADVISOR

8 05 July 2018

Community Services Committee

22 June 2018

File: (18/1106)

Report no: CSC2018/3/202

Report of the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Advisory Group

Purpose of Report

1. The purpose of this report is to advise the Committee about the 20 June 2018 meeting of Council’s Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Subcommittee and the resulting recommendations.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Committee recommends that Council:

(i) notes the minutes of the 20 June 2018 meeting of the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Subcommittee attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii) notes the actions made to be completed in time for the next meeting of the Subcommittee on 3 October 2018;

(iii) agrees to support the Subcommittee’s recommendation to install a Changing Places toilet facility in Lower Hutt’s CBD as soon as possible; and

(iv) agrees to support the Subcommittee’s recommendation to further investigate involvement in CCS, Disability Action’s work involving the Thundermaps application for:

a) reporting misuse of mobility parking spaces; and

b) mapping the location of mobility parks in Lower Hutt

For the reasons outlined in the report below.

Background

2. The Accessibility and Inclusiveness Subcommittee met on Wednesday 20 June 2018. The minutes, including actions and recommendations, are attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Discussion

3. A number of topics and issues were discussed at the Advisory Group meeting. These were:

a. Changing Places toilet facilities for those who have complex disabilities;

b. Mobility parking and the CCS, Disability Action work with Thundermaps to develop an application that enables people to:

i. report the misuse of mobility parking spaces; and

ii. identify the location of mobility parks in Lower Hutt;

c. Wellington City Council’s Accessibility Advisory Group;

d. Blind Square – an app and beacon system to assist sight impaired people to navigate their way around the city; and

e. The outcome of the group’s submission to Council’s Long Term Plan.

4. The minutes and agreed recommendations/ actions are attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Options

5. There are no options to consider.

Consultation

6. The Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Subcommittee was established in part to be available to Council officers when they are seeking advice from the disability community.

Legal Considerations

7. There are no legal considerations.

Financial Considerations

8. There are no financial considerations.

Other Considerations

9. 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 ensures that Council is meeting the current and future needs of the disability community within the city. It does this in a way that is cost-effective because it helps ensure that all residents are given the opportunity to make a full contribution to the future of the city.

Appendices

No.	Title	Page
1 ⇩	Minutes for the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Subcommittee 20 June 2018	10

Author: Wendy Moore

Divisional Manager, Strategy and Planning

Approved By: Kim Kelly

General Manager, City Transformation

Attachment 1

Minutes for the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Subcommittee 20 June 2018

1. Changing Places

Bruce Hodgins, Divisional Manager Parks and Gardens addressed the Subcommittee about the planning for the installation of a Changing Places toilet. He outlined the request to the LTP and told the group that it was important for the group to emphasise the need for this facility in Lower Hutt. The LTP submission recommended that the facility being the CBD and Parks and Gardens supported this. Bruce also asked the group to think about funding/sponsorship of the facility. There was a general discussion about location and cost.

Questions/comments:

Cr Barratt – understood from the LTP submissions that the need is high for this type of facility in the city

Alexa: wanted to know why a fob key was necessary, how would visitors to Lower Hutt be able to use it if a fob was required and what about adapting existing facilities.

· Expensive equipment that needs to be protected from vandalism and need to ensure safety of users

· Will look at solutions for visitors

· Can’t adapt existing space to provide level of service that a Changing Places facility would provide

Action: Recommend that Council invest in installing a Changing Places toilet facility in Lower Hutt’s CBD as soon as possible

2. Mobility Parking

Presentation by Raewyn Hailes from CCS, Disability Action on Thundermaps App for reporting misuse of mobility parking and also mobility parks that are not marked out. Raewyn can give the group data on no of offences where, when. CCS registers all mobility parking holders.

CCSS also involved in Changing Places

Action:

i. Place on Community Services Committee agenda for recommendation to Council to take part in this

ii. Raewyn to provide data report to Wendy

3. Nick Ruane, Co-Chair Wellington City Council, AAG

Talked to the Subcommittee about how the WCC AAG works with Wellington City Council. Four key points:

· Clear, concise, constructive when talking with Council

· Pragmatic in the short term but grounded in long term principles

· Positive, patient, enduring

· Example based – demonstrating the lived experience of disability. This has an impact and assists when working for change with Councillors and officers

AAG is updating the Disability Strategy at moment and it is due to come out in the next few months. Aligns with NZ Disability Strategy and UN Convention – accessibility, choice, control are the three focus priorities from the Office for Disability Issues 8 strategic priorities.

Public participation is an issue that has come up. Need to keep the forum as open as possible. Genevieve asked how this is managed. Nick replied that the public are free to ask questions however “the business of the AAG is the business of the AAG. Public has designated time to speak – run like any other Council meeting.

Alexa asked if there was separate consultation with the public. Nick said yes e.g. the development of the strategic plan; disability sector has high expectations.

A general discussion about how the two groups could work together. There will be opportunities for collaboration in the future. Perhaps a national conference for all Council Disability Advisory Groups?

Nick spoke about the importance of building a coalition with Councillors and Council officers as a key approach to success.

4. Minutes from previous meeting

No matters arising. Chair moved that minutes be accepted. Seconded Genevieve. Carried

5. Terms of Reference

Some typos to be corrected otherwise TOR approved. Need to include reference to implementation of Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan. Moved by Chair Seconded ?. Carried

6. Long Term Plan Submission

Cr Barratt spoke to this submission at CPC. Emphasised with Council the fact that the Subcommittee is a committee of Council and there to work with Council on disability issues.

Action: Wendy to check Community Plan Committee minute for Council decision and that mention of the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan is included in the Long Term Plan

Wendy to get someone from Transport to address speed limit issue raised in the submission.

7. Blind Square

Wendy updated group. Thomas Bryan contact from Blind foundation will speak at the groups next meeting. Possibility of interview with Thomas discussed.

I-See – Genevieve updated group on what happened with this trial.

8. Ava railway bridge

Jenna spoke to this item. Pedestrian bridge difficult and unsafe.

Action: Wendy to write to GWRC about this

9. General business

Discussed Liberty Swing and other play equipment. Possibility of a board walk or net meshing so that people in wheel chairs can go onto the beach and get near the water.

Action: Wendy to talk to Parks and Gardens about other play equipment and net mesh idea.

Public transport: Genevieve let the group know that the new buses are amazing. General discussion.

Action: This will be added to the letter to GWRC about the railway bridge to let them know that people are happy with new buses.

Meeting closed at 4.57pm.

13 05 July 2018

Community Services Committee

13 June 2018

File: (18/1040)

Report no: CSC2018/3/96

Update on Graffiti Removal and Reduction Service

1. The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the operations of the rapid response graffiti removal service and supporting graffiti reduction community projects during the year 2017-2018.

Recommendation

That the report be noted and received.

Background

2. Graffiti vandalism was highlighted as a serious concern to Hutt City residents during consultation on the Community Plan 2009-2016.

3. Graffiti vandalism negatively impacts on feelings of safety, property values and the image of a city.

4. If graffiti is not removed soon after it appears, it can become a magnet for more. Hutt City Council’s vision is for businesses, residents and visitors to enjoy a graffiti free city.

5. Graffiti vandalism, often referred to as ‘tags’ or ‘tagging,’ is defined in the Summary Offences Act 1981 as:

… the act of a person damaging or defacing any building, structure, road, tree, property, or other thing by writing, drawing, painting, spraying or etching on it, or otherwise marking it without:

a) Lawful authority; and

b) The consent of the occupier or owner or other.

6. Council’s policy is to remove graffiti from areas with high public foot traffic, in high profile areas and residential and business frontages in public view.

7. Hutt City Council is one of the few local authorities where contactors do not need to request permission from property owners to remove graffiti due to the Hutt City Council Public Places Bylaw 2016.

Discussion

8. Graffiti has reduced significantly over the past six years due to the rapid removal of graffiti and the numerous community projects that have been implemented.

Year	2012	2017	Reduction
Tags	22,718	12,758	9,960 (44%)
Area	17,001m2	12,758m2	4,243m2 (25%)

9. The reduction of graffiti in in-scope areas, has enabled Council to respond to requests from residents and business owners to remove graffiti in areas previously considered out-of-scope. These areas include public walkways past 5m, highly visible small business signs, roller doors and other areas that impact on the aesthetic beauty of the city within reason.

10. Residents, police and business owners have complimented Council numerous times on the pro-activeness and rapid removal of graffiti affecting them. The benefits of an increased sense of safety our residents feel and the well maintained business frontages are immeasurable.

11. The Graffiti Removal Contract has recently been awarded to MMS Group Limited. MMS Group Limited was the previous incumbent for this maintenance contract and though they did require some support many years ago, over time they have met and exceeded our expectations in service delivery.

12. The total budget for graffiti removal and prevention is $259,560 per annum.

13. Wainuiomata vandalism prevention projects

a) Homedale Village Mural

A much loved mural in Wainuiomata of Piri Weepu and Tana Umanga was deteriorating at a rapid rate. The poor condition of the mural was attracting vandals and the mural had holes in it from being kicked and tags defacing it.

With a long term strategy in mind to paint a tribute mural of Piri Weepu and Tana Umanga at another high profile site in the future, it was decided that a replacement mural should have a nature theme, as Homedale is the gateway to the Rimutaka Forest Park and Coast Road.

Very thorough community consultation was required to finalise the design concept for this mural, as the previous mural was such a loved and iconic painting in Wainuiomata.

Facebook, word of mouth, the Wainuiomata News, pamphlets and posters were used to communicate that a tribute to Piri and Tana will be painted elsewhere in the future and that we wanted ideas from the community to help a local artist design a new mural for that location.

A local artist Aidan Walbaekken was asked to paint two concept designs based on the outcomes from this community consultation.

The two concepts were presented to the community for them to vote on. Voting was advertised online and in the Wainuiomata News and was conducted online along with voting booths located around Wainuiomata.

The most voted for mural was then painted in Homedale Village and the progress and completion of it has been celebrated in the community immensely.

Local real-estate agent celebrating the mural:

Community reaction to Aidan’s completed work, with over 300 engagements:

b) Konini Water Tower Mural

There is a much utilised walking track in Wainuiomata that leads up to the Konini Water Tower, within a new subdivision in Wainuiomata. This track is used by a variety of people such as firefighters, people training for various sports, dog walkers, mothers and children and elderly.

Council has tried hard to keep this space free of graffiti for many years by collaborating with the Department of Corrections, community groups and contractors but the site is continuously vandalised within days of repair.

Early this year Council was approached by a young aspiring artist who was keen to create a portfolio of his work. He was very eager to paint a mural for a very competitive cost to gain experience, so this opportunity was seized to cover the Konini Water Tower.

The mural spans 300m2 and is the biggest mural I have personally assisted with. We connected with TiHei Rangatahi, a local youth group during the course of this project, and the teens spent many hours over the school holidays helping to paint this mural with our local artist Louis Mikaere’s assistance and mentoring.

This area is now free of graffiti and is much loved and celebrated in the Wainuiomata community.

c) Mr G Mural

The last mural to be painted in Wainuiomata under the Graffiti Prevention umbrella for some time was painted by a very prestigious artist Mr G (Graham). Graham travels New Zealand with his wife painting extremely realistic murals.

The location selected was a plain white wall that is often tagged on a Wellington electrical substation located down The Strand in Wainuiomata.

This street is considered one of the main streets in Wainuiomata. The substation is across the road from a local pharmacy and garden and hardware store, just down the road from a new retirement village that is currently being constructed, and a popular children’s playground.

The artist painted Piri Weepu’s daughter’s hands, holding a seed. The mural is called “He kakano ahau ahau – I am a seed”.

The concept is based on the waiata (song) which is about children knowing who they are and the power of a seed’s potential, reminding all children they are all called to be great and do great things.

d) Use of donated paint

Council continues its relationship with Resene Paint and has received over 400L of paint from them in the last 12 months.

60L of paint has been passed on to “Adopt a Spot” participants who monitor walkways around Lower Hutt for graffiti and remove the graffiti as it appears.

The Department of Corrections has access to the donated paint and conducts paint-outs by creeks around Lower Hutt regularly.

14. Future initiatives

a) Naenae underground rail walkway

For a number of years community constables in Naenae have been advocating for a mural to be painted in a heavily utilised underground walkway located close to Hilary Court.

This walkway is not considered a council asset but it does impact on our residents, school children and visitors of that suburb.

With the “Mahia Atu” philosophy and recognising the needs of this particular suburb, it has been decided to work with police, local children and Greater Wellington Regional Council to paint a phased mural over a number of years, as the site is so vast.

An artist has been selected and she is in the concept design phase, then community consultation will commence in the next financial year.

b) Taita College rail walkway

There is a walkway opposite Taita College that once had a beautiful mural painted throughout it. The mural is over 10 years old now and it is barely recognisable due to the degree of graffiti defacing it.

I hope to work with a local artist and school children from Taita College to repair the area.

c) Strategic graffiti guarding

Asset repairs and maintenance costs Council a lot of money each year. In the coming financial year I hope to identify areas that would benefit from strategic graffiti guarding to prevent permanent damage from occurring.

Appendices

There are no appendices for this report.

Author: Melanie Gardner

Graffiti Manager/Contracts Officer

Approved By: John Middleton

Divisional Manager Infrastructure Contracts

Background

2. The Wellington Regional Amenities Fund (the Fund)^{^[3]} was first established in 2012 to support eligible entities of regional significance with day to day operational expenses and new innovative projects that would help achieve identified regional outcomes. When it was first established the Fund was:

a. intended as a ‘top up’ funding mechanism for entities that provide regional benefits primarily in the arts, culture and environmental attractions and events sectors. Participating councils were expected to continue with their existing investments into local amenities;

b. originally supposed to grow incrementally, starting at $2 million for 2013/14 and capped at $3 million in year five;

c. implemented through a binding agreement of all participating councils in the Wellington region, agreed and was adopted through each council’s 2012-2022 Long Term Plan; and

d. supposed to be reviewed as part of the development of each participating council’s draft 2015-2025 Long Term Plan. This did not happen.

3. The Fund’s initial purpose was to help ensure that regionally significant entities could be sustained or developed in the Wellington region to contribute to the region’s quality of life; attractiveness to residents and visitors; and economy. It was envisaged that the Fund would allow amenities to:

a. Focus more on their core business

b. Reduce the amount of time spent on securing funding across the region

c. Improve their ability to perform on a wider regional basis

d. Improve accessibility to their services

e. Ensure staffing requirements were met adequately for a fixed term.

4. When the Fund was established the key concern was that the region was at risk of losing national organisations such as the New Zealand Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and Opera Company to Auckland (in 2008 Auckland introduced a fund to retain and attract significant arts and culture organisations. This fund has its own legislation^{^[4]}).

Discussion

The WRAF study - 2016

5. In 2016 the Wellington Regional Amenities Fund (WRAF) Joint Committee agreed to commission an Economic and Social Impact study on the Fund to ensure clarity of purpose, and to work towards gaining evidence about the benefit of the fund and the impact it had, both economically and socially, on the Wellington region. Market Economics (M.E) undertook the study. The aim of the study was to assess whether the WRAF has resulted in any:

a. economic and/or social benefits across the region as a result of the Fund’s investment in cultural and environmental amenities; and

b. benefits to the funded organisations.

6. M.E examined a number of research questions that sought to understand the extent of benefits achieved in terms of their scope, significance and distribution across the region. The role of the fund in facilitating partnerships and in building and maintaining projects that contribute to the attractiveness and vitality of the Wellington region were also examined.

7. Specific questions relating to the original fund criteria (2013-15) addressed by the study included:

a. have any regional economic and social benefits been created by the fund since its inception and if yes, what are they and how much?

b. how is the economic return of the fund distributed across the participating territorial authorities (TAs) and does this distribution correlate with the different levels of TA investment in the fund?

c. Has the fund facilitated regional partnerships, and what are the economic benefits of these partnerships?

d. To what extent has the fund preserved significant organisations, projects and events at risk of non-viability or relocation?

e. To what extent has the fund made a significant contribution to building, maintaining or retaining (i.e. the sustainability of) funded projects, events and organisations?

f. To what extent has the fund facilitated the creation, extension/development of arts, culture or environmental ecosystems, and events in the Wellington Region (social benefits)?

g. How has the fund contributed to Wellington's status as an internationally competitive region?

Key Findings

8. The research combined qualitative and quantitative analysis. It was based on data provided by the WRAF and gathered from a questionnaire completed by grant recipients. The analysis was supplemented by a review of applications submitted to the WRAF and the post-grant reports prepared by grant recipients. M.E also considered relevant literature on economic and social benefits as they relate to the arts and culture and amenity sector.

9. As a result of this research, M.E considered that the WRAF had achieved its purpose over the first four funding years. It had been successful in its role of supporting Wellington region’s significant ^{^[5]}arts, cultural, environmental and event organisations. Grants had helped recipient organisations to function more effectively and efficiently, and in doing so, contribute more widely to the social and economic wellbeing of the Wellington region.

10. Other conclusions included:

a. The WRAF contributes to the costs of selected projects/programmes to varying degrees and often in conjunction with other funding organisations/sources

b. Increasingly, contributions from the WRAF appear to be playing a more dominant role relative to overall project/programme costs

c. By supporting some Regionally Significant Organisation (RSOs), the WRAF is supporting those organisations that have a big impact on Wellington region’s arts, cultural and environmental offering and reputation

d. By supporting RSOs (as opposed to smaller, less experienced organisations), the WRAF’s investment is low risk and high yield in terms of desired outcomes for Wellington region

e. WRAF grants helped recipients to do what they do better. The WRAF is helping these strong organisations to get stronger.

Economic Impacts

11. The study considered the economic impacts of the fund. The authors view was that while “economic impacts are a tangible outcome of the Fund, they are a small component of the overall economic effects stimulated by grant activity and are of less relevance at a regional level.”

12. Not unexpectedly, economic impacts have been heavily directed towards Wellington City. The study relates this not just to the fact that this is the location of most of the grant recipients but also to the role Wellington’s CBD plays in the regional economy.

13. It was always going to be difficult if not impossible to be able to assess whether the Fund had contributed regional economic and social benefits since its inception and if yes, what they were and how much they were worth. The study found that:

a. WRAF represents the full transfer of money from one sector (local government ) to another (arts and culture activities) within the region

b. There is a mismatch between the value of grants and the value of contributions. Grants to Wellington RSOs (predictably) exceed WCC contributions

c. There is a net loss of direct expenditure in Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt cities

d. The TA distribution of facilitated economic impacts (impact from audience, visitor and participant spend) closely matches the locations of the actual shows, events, exhibitions or festivals

14. It is important however to recognise the wider less tangible benefits for the economy per se arising from arts, cultural and environmental amenities and events even if they can’t be reliably quantified. WRAF has contributed to:

a. achieving organisational benefits for funded organisations that otherwise may not have occurred

b. the diversity of the regional economy and building regional partnerships (although the focus on RSOs will reduce this benefit)

c. the skill level of the arts, culture and environmental sectors

d. clustering cultural and arts oriented organisations and workers which can breed innovation and new specialisations and concentrating creativity through both physical density and human capital, and

e. stimulating capital and operational expenditure in areas regularly used for arts and cultural events (such as the water front in Wellington’s CBD).

Current Purpose, Priorities, Criteria and Outcomes

15. WRAF is allocated once every year. In March 2017 the Joint Committee of Mayors agreed to a more strategic and proactive approach to the fund, with a focus on regionally significant organisations and on projects and events that have regional impact.

16. This approach built on the 2016 fund review by M.E which emphasised the importance of the fund in supporting organisations (events and projects) that are ‘regionally significant’ – which deliver identified strategic priorities for the region around economic growth, regional connectedness and competitive advantage.

17. Regionally significant organisations are those that are considered to be leaders in their field or have the potential to become leaders. They deliver high quality cultural/environmental activities that reach across the region and draw people to it – making Wellington Region the best place to live and to visit. Each participating local Council contributes to the fund on a per capita basis. The priorities are now:

To increase their long-term contribution to the economy of the Wellington Region by:

a. increasing visitor numbers to the region

b. growing audience numbers and diversity

c. increasing paid and volunteering opportunities

d. ensuring activities are accessible (financially and physically)

e. contributing to another key regional growth sector, for example film, hospitality, recreation.

Partner with organisations in the Wellington region to:

a. strengthen networks (through skills transfer, knowledge sharing, or increased organisational capacity through sharing resources)

b. develop robust, diverse cultural and environmental infrastructures through working in collaboration

c. mentor smaller/like organisations, and/or deliver education opportunities

d. complement other regional events (by ensuring event calendars align).

Contribute to Wellington’s status as a nationally and internationally competitive region by:

a. strengthening its unique arts, cultural and environmental offering

b. addressing gaps in the cultural/environmental ecosystem

c. ensuring they plan to stay in the Wellington Region.

18. In 2018/19 a limited number of organisations will be invited to make applications and these will be identified through the participating Councils. WRAF has a focus on supporting a smaller number of organisations to achieve maximum impact in the region. Applications will be made during July 2018 and considered by the Joint Committee in late August 2017.

19. There is one funding round each year. Funding decisions are made by the WRAF Joint Committee in a public meeting forum at Upper Hutt City Council. The Joint Committee comprises the Mayors of each Territorial Authority that contribute to the fund. The current Chair of the Joint Committee is Mayor Guppy from UHCC and the Deputy Chair is Mayor K Gurunathan from KCDC.

20. The Fund Manager alongside one representative from each contributing Council (Council Officers Group) will review all applications and make funding recommendations to the WRAF Joint Committee. The Joint Committee makes the final decision on which applications best deliver to the fund priorities.

COMMENT

Is Lower Hutt benefitting economically?

21. There is no evidence that Hutt City’s contribution to the Fund $1.2 million contribution (includes 2018) has benefited Lower Hutt in any way – either directly through the funding of Lower Hutt entities – or through collateral benefit accruing to Lower Hutt from events held in other parts of the region (e.g. hotel stays, retail spending).

What about regional collaboration/cooperation?

22. In 2012, when Council agreed to contribute to the Fund, the debate on regional amalgamation was in full swing. Council agreed that it was important that it supported this regional project as a show of good faith and their commitment to working with other Councils in the region. It is unlikely that regional amalgamation will be debated again in the short to medium term. Nevertheless, it is important that the region’s Councils work together to achieve regional success.

Regional Significance

23. The emphasis on the fund being there for entities of “regional significance” means that the great majority of the funding goes to established entities based in Wellington City. There is a lack of regional focus and cooperation as the focus has shifted to big Wellington-based events.

National organisations leaving?

24. No National Organisation such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra or New Zealand Ballet has relocated to Auckland. Only two national organisations have received funding in the three years the fund has existed.

NZ Opera (2013/14)	$50,000
NZSO (2014/15)	$30,000

Regional Priorities

25. It is unclear which regional priorities will be achieved through this funding and what the regional benefit from the amenities to be funded are – what benefits are we talking about – financial, cultural, environmental, quality of life, attracting visitors, competitive edge?

Differential

26. There is no differential applied. The approach to financial apportionment is flawed as no consideration is given to which TAs benefit the most from having the entity partially funded on a regional basis in an economic sense. That is, which local authority receives the highest financial benefit compared with the costs of having the entity in its area?

Council owned entities

27. WCC funds a number of the entities identified as being ‘regional amenities’ – WCC also gets the direct and indirect benefits of this investment. Council funded entities are now able to apply for funding – this decision was made in 2016. Prior to 2016 Council owned entities were unable to apply and this seriously disadvantaged Lower Hutt as all other TAs have their arts and culture organisations as part of a Trust similar to the Community Facilities Trust.

HUTT CITY ARTS AND CULTURE POLICY

28. Council now has an Arts and Culture Policy (which includes community arts and culture and public art). This has the potential to raise the profile of arts and culture in the city and through this increase the vibrancy and attractiveness of the city overall. Council is also investing in key events for the city such as Highlight.

Recommendations:

29. That the Subcommittee:

i. Directs officers to prepare a presentation for a Council workshop to get further direction from Council; OR

ii. Directs officers to prepare a further report for the Subcommittee so that it can make recommendations to Council on:

a. Options for Council’s participation in the Fund

b. Opportunities for arts and culture funding in Lower Hutt

Consultation

30. Comment was sought from arts and culture staff at Hutt City Council.

Legal Considerations

31. There are no current legal considerations.

Financial Considerations

32. There are no financial considerations at this stage.

Other Considerations

33. 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 how Council can best meet the arts and culture needs of the region and Lower Hutt. It does this in a way that is cost-effective because it is ensuring that Council can make an informed decision about its ongoing support of the Wellington Regional Amenities Fund.

31 05 July 2018

- Community Services Committee

28 May 2018

File: (18/938)

Report no: CSC2018/3/184

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.

Recommendation

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.

Museums

4. Saturday 24 June 2018 will see the closing event for 'The Language of Things,’ our major international project for 2018/19. Talks and hands-on jewellery experiences will be mixed with a jewellery-making workshop. 'The Language of Things' will be replaced by 'Embodied Knowledge', opening on 7 July, an exhibition celebrating senior women artists working in sculpture and installation mediums, tied to the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage and accompanied by a new publication.

5. A new partnership was trialled with Kia Mau (the Wellington-based Māori and Pasifika theatre and dance festival) for Matariki this year, with performers in the galleries. We will evaluate the success of this trial with the Kia Mau organisers and hope to offer an expanded programme in 2019.

6. The latest exhibition module to open at Petone Settlers Museum focuses on the historic house, Price's Folly. The next community collection focus will be provided by Community Constable Erua Baker. Preparation is underway for an exhibition module on Geraldine Fitzgerald, founder of Chilton St James, developed in collaboration with the school to mark their centenary and also coinciding with the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage.

7. A satisfying number of nominations have been received for 'Whakatū Wahine', our main 125 Women's Suffrage project at Petone Settlers Museum. This project will recognise and promote the stories of five women living in Lower Hutt aged between 15 and 40 who work to uplift their communities, through a mix of physical exhibition, online content and events.

Community Arts Updates

8. The Creative Communities Panel met on 1 May and allocated $35,000 of funding to local community-based art projects.

9. Planning is well underway for the Hutt Winter Festival, with major creative partners now contracted. Festival dates are confirmed for 17-19 August 2018.

Leisure Active

Swimming Pools

10. The Hits Radio Station and Leisure Active partnered to run two family fun days in April at Huia and Naenae Pools. The events were promoted on the Hits station prior to the day and the Hits team organised games and give aways during live crosses on the day. The event was popular with kids and parents and is something we may look at replicating next year.

11. Two National Waterpolo Competitions were held at Huia during April and May and two national Canoepolo tournaments at Naenae Pool. These events provide great opportunities for our residents to compete or watch top level sport as well as providing economic benefit to our local businesses from visiting teams.

12. A new Swim and Baby Bounce Programme was launched at Stokes Valley Pool in conjunction with the Stokes Valley Library in May. The programme is for children aged six months to five years, with a waterplay session for children and parents followed by songs, rhymes and cup of tea at Stokes Valley Hub. Entry is by gold coin donation.

Fitness Suites

13. During the recent Commonwealth Games all Fitness Suites ran challenges for current members which were well received.

14. Small group training offerings continue to grow and be well supported by members.

15. Fitness Memberships at Huia Pool reached 824 at the end of May. The target was to reach 900 members by the end of June.

16. Unfortunately a decision has had to be made to discontinue the Fitness Suite at Walter Nash Centre. Despite extensive promotions we were unable to make this site a financially viable proposition without introducing a no or low staffing model. This was not felt appropriate for a Council run facility. Current members will be offered two months free at any of our other sites. We will also be trialling a range of group fitness classes at Walter Nash as an alternative.

Recreation Programmes

17. Active in the Hutt staff have been supporting the delivery of the following community recreation programmes over the last two months:

· Schools - Kiwisport FMS, Cummins & Kilgariff “Build and Create” trailer, Pita Pit School Sports Festival, Yoga in Schools,

· Pre-school Children – Taita Tumbling Club, Mini Movers, Kori Kori kids, Takahurihuri Tamariki,

· Adults – “Run the Night”, Refugee and Migrants Women’s only night at Huia Pool, Community Yoga classes across multiple sites,

· Older Adults – Seniors Table Tennis, Low Impact Exercise Classes

Healthy Families

18. A new contract has been signed with the Ministry of Health to continue the Healthy Families initiative in Lower Hutt for another four years.

19. Work initiated by the Healthy Families team over the past two months includes:

· A new community hydration station installed outside the Treadwell Street basketball court in Naenae with two more soon to be installed in Wainuiomata and Petone Esplanade by the children’s playground.

· Facilitated a Council workshop with Mayor and Councillors on the topic of ‘transforming our food and beverage environment’ resulting in discussion for a Naenae fruit and vegetable pop up shop which further led to progress on trialling a Naenae Fruit and Vegetable Market in Hillary Court.

· New World Stokes Valley Owner has declared his car park as smokefree.

· Days Bay Pavilion Café and the soon to be opened Crooked Elm have now gone 100% smokefree and Queensgate Shopping Centre (Stride Property Management) are actively promoting their smokefree status on World Smokefree Day.

· A number of our medical centres have committed to the smokefree message and promotion of smokefree spaces including Naenae Medical Centre, Manuka Health Centre (Petone), Stokes Valley Medical Centre, Epuni Medical Centre, Petone Medical Centre, Kopata Medical Centre, Hutt Union Health (Pomare) and Hutt Union Health (Petone).

· Mayor Ray Wallace, Mo Town Café and The Warehouse Lower Hutt featuring in the Health Promotion Agency’s World Smokefree Day material.

· Burger King has communicated to all sports clubs that they will no longer be providing them with fast food vouchers to give out.

· In partnership with Te Awakairangi Health Network facilitated a successful workshop with the wellness committee at Rimutaka Prison on workplace wellbeing.

· The continued growth of Whai Oranga Medical Centre’s flourishing community garden (including kumara) and who have a core group of local kaitiaki who have also started up a sharing shelf for the community.

· Wainuiomata Hockey Club and Hutt Old Boys Marist have committed to being a pro-water club and have taken on our Player of the Day initiative.

· When you google “Player of the Day Certificates New Zealand” we are currently the second listing behind the Health Promotion Agency but in front of McDonalds or any other fast food company.

Community Plan

20. Leisure Active staff have been busy responding to or working with the following organisations following recent Annual Plan submissions; Hutt Valley Tennis, Hutt Valley Gymnastics, Petone Sportsville, Naenae Football and Cricket Clubs, Hutt Recreation Ground Working Group, Wellington Baseball, the DHB and Te Awakairangi Health Network.

Libraries

21. Following on from the success of the Matiu | Somes Island Project last year, Hutt City Libraries, Te Rōpu Āwhina and the Department of Conservation took 40 Year 9 secondary students from Taita College and Wainuiomata High School to the island

22. At the international Clubhouse Network Conference in Texas, Lily and the team at Naenae Clubhouse were recognised for excellence in marketing Naenae Clubhouse to the public

23. A crew from TVNZ’s Sunday programme filmed Leonard Mitchell’s murals at War Memorial Library. His brother was filmed standing in front of the murals talking about Leonard and the creation of our library’s precious historical paintings

24. Libraries ran 58 offerings for Council’s STEMM Festival Month. Press Release acknowledged the significant contribution Libraries continue to make to the city wide STEMM Festival. “GNS Science and Hutt City Libraries are again joining forces in 2018 to hold a series of free science seminars from this week and during the Hutt STEMM Festival in May to inform, educate and raise awareness of New Zealand’s unique natural resources.”

Community Hubs, Projects and Relationships

25. Koraunui Stokes Valley: Our new manager has started on site and a positive immediate impact has been seen. Visitor numbers at the hub continue to exceed expectations. A very successful first holiday programme has been run during Term 1-2 break from school. Management were particularly impressed with the KSV and WOA Samoan week activities.

26. Walter Nash Centre has just completed a hugely busy period with the Hutt Valley Sports Awards, Symphony in the Hutt community concert and XRoads events. It has also hosted international volleyball in early June, and a skype call between Taita Central School and the Prime Minister. This highlights the ability for this centre to operate as a flexible events space. Kuputupu (community lead game) is now getting trade marked prior to entering production again.

27. Wainuiomata Hub is in the process of completing several capital projects which will make the space viable to use over the short term. These should be completed in July. Management were particularly impressed with the KSV and WOA Samoan week activities.

28. We have hosted visits from several Ministers over the last two months, and Nanaia Mahuta gave a ‘shout out’ to Lower Hutt’s hubs at a recent Social Procurement Conference in Auckland for being good examples of high quality, responsive to community facilities aiming to address big issues within our community.

29. The division is creating a new business plan in June for the 2019/20 financial year. It is extremely likely than in addition to business as usual a strong focus will be on:

· Increasing household income in our communities to reduce material hardship

· Supporting the wider housing project being undertaken across Council

· Reducing the digital divide within the community

30. A full annual report will be completed in July measuring against business plan objectives for 2017/18, but some initial positive results are below.

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

32. The recent residents satisfaction survey has had positive results for both Koraunui Stokes Valley Community Hub (11 of 16 respondents rated 8-10 out of 10) and Walter Nash Centre (98% very satisfied).

33. Fast Five (internal customer survey) results for ‘acceptable’ or ‘very good’ across all three sites are:

§ Customer Service 99%

§ Customer Satisfaction 89%

§ Cleanliness 92%

§ Value for Money 82%

§ Overall Satisfaction 91%

34. A SROI evaluation on Walter Nash Centre will be undertaken over the next 12 months.

35. Naenae hub design brief has been created based on the below. This will be used to form part of an RFP to go to market in the new financial year and from this point we will be able to establish a final project budget.

· Community consultation

· Business case analysis of need (ie current and aspirational uses)

· Core council service requirements

· Partner requirements

· Wider technical advisory group input (approx. 15 officers/external specialists contributing in their relevant fields)

36. Community Funding

· Promotion of, and community engagement around, the new Community Funding streams have been a priority over the last couple of months, with new rounds opening in July.

· Kakano Fund – Opens 2 July and closes 24 July, decisions by 30 August

· Mahia Atu Partnership Fund – opens 2 July and closes 24 July, decisions by 30 September

· Mahia Atu Community Fund – opens 1 October and closes 22 October, decisions by 30 November

37. 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.

An initial timeframe of 1 September for go live has been agreed to by partners. We are entering into a period of intensive community engagement alongside Rata Street School to ensure whanau buy in for this initiative.

Wellington Orchestra put on a world class performance on 18 May at the Walter Nash Centre the night after the Hutt Valley Sports Awards. All North-East schools were invited and buses put on to ensure transport was not a barrier. This free event had approximately 1100 attendees and was a huge success as a number of Councillors who attended will attest.

38. YOUth Inspire

Two Youth Pathways Coordinators based permanently in Naenae. Due to the delay in appointing staff, there was a delay in the NE expansion getting underway. The contract numbers (45 Wainui, 45 NE) are likely to fall slightly below was expected. However, the shortfall will be added to 2018/19 expectations. We are confident these targets will be met. (YTD Wainui 48, NE 34).

Todd Foundation has increased its level of funding for the next two years from $100K pa to $150K pa.

39. City Safety

X-Roads ‘Good mates, Good choices’ event

This programme spanned over one week, focusing on message of ‘Good Mates, Good Choices’ and was held at the Walter Nash Centre. It reached over 3,000 college students within the Hutt Valley region, catering to over 13 different schools and education providers.

We had incredible support from New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Hutt City Council, Upper Hutt City Council, Bachelor of Youth Development Students, 2Face Drama, Wellington Free Ambulance, David (our sound and limo man), Maori Wardens, Family/Friends and so many more great volunteers.

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

40. The status of these projects is as follows:

Fraser Park Sports and Community Hub

41. The Fraser Park Sports and Community Hub is well under construction with approximately 53% of the building now completed. The majority of the building structure, including the first floor and roof, is now in place. Work is now focusing on closing in the building and fitting the windows. Once the building is closed in work will commence on the internal infrastructure, lighting, power and air conditioning plant. The six squash courts which are being built in Europe are now under construction.

42. The project has been delayed by the recent bad weather and resource constraints in the building industry and will now be completed by early December 2018.

43. Fundraising for the project is going well with “only” $627,000 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. Funds raised from the sale of bricks and pavers has reached $10,000. Total fundraising over and above the Council grants for the project has now reached $3,221,584.

44. CFT is now advancing the lease of the roof for a solar farm as the next large fundraising exercise and this is looking possible with two Electricity generators and retailers looking closely at the opportunity. The roof rental capitalised over 20 years, could make a significant dent in the remaining fundraising target and or deliver low cost power to Fraser Park users or other CFT or Council sites elsewhere in the Hutt Valley.

Wainuiomata and Petone Sportsvilles

45. Consultation with member clubs of Wainuiomata Sportsville relating to the operational plan is ongoing.

46. Council officers have been working with Petone Sportsville to promote an alternative development option which includes construction of a smaller sport and community pavilion at the Petone Recreation Ground and the moving of gymnastics to Fraser Park as part of a regional hub. Council recently agreed funding for the gymnastics component of this development option but removed funding for a Petone Recreation Pavilion. While this is unfortunate, Sportsville is not primarily about facilities and therefore Petone Sportsville have indicated they will meet soon to assess their options going forward.

47. $300,000 in this year’s budget will not be expended this year and will be carried over for design work next year.

Other Considerations

48. 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.

[3] Funding decisions from 2013 -2017 are attached as Appendix I

[4] The Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act was passed in 2008. The Act establishes a framework for the secure and sustainable funding of 10 organisations that provide arts, educational, rescue or other community facilities and services which are vital for the Auckland region. Auckland Festival one of only four arts organisations funded under the Act.

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: