Minutes of Eastbourne Community Board

1 6 July 2021

Eastbourne Community Board | Poari Hapori o Ōkiwinui

Minutes of a meeting held in the East Harbour Women's Clubrooms, 145 Muritai Road, Eastbourne on

Tuesday 6 July 2021 commencing at 7.15pm

PRESENT:	Ms V Horrocks (Chair)	Mr M Gibbons
	Ms B Moss	Mr B Spedding (Deputy Chair)
	Mr F Vickers	Deputy Mayor T Lewis

APOLOGIES: There were no apologies.

IN ATTENDANCE: Ms J Randall, Democracy Advisor

PUBLIC BUSINESS

1. APOLOGIES

There were no apologies.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Comments are recorded under the item to which they relate.

Mayor's Address

The Chair noted Mayor Barry’s apology. She read the Mayoral Statement, attached as pages 8-9 to the minutes.

Presentation by a Councillor of Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC)

Cr Prue Lamason provided an update to members as follows:

· The tender process was beginning for the airport bus service between Wellington Railway Station and Wellington Airport. The new service would use ‘real time’ timetable information and integrated ticketing with good regional connectivity to the service. A competition with schools was being considered to help select a name for the new service.

· Consent applications for RiverLink work would be lodged on 2 August. GWRC would be retaining the right to extend the Melling Line northwards in future years. RiverLink work was scheduled to commence by late 2022.

· The GWRC Long Term Plan was approved with relatively low average rates increases. Funding for biodiversity, predator free areas, regional parks and the Whaitua programme was included in the LTP. Wellington Harbour had a severe problem with sediment in the harbour that needed addressing.

· A 1080 drop had recently taken place in the Akatarawa Forest Park. There was a possibility possum carcases could wash downstream in heavy rain and onto beaches which could pose a risk to dogs.

Deputy Mayor Lewis provided an update on the work of the GWRC initiated Whaitua Committee (the Committee). She highlighted the Committee had drafted a report with recommendations that would be incorporated into the National Policy Statement for Fresh Water Management. She said the Committee had been tasked with finding ways to ensure fresh water was taken in clean and returned clean to the environment without polluting waterways.

5. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

Ms Moss declared a conflict of interest in relation to Item 8, the application by the Lowry Bay Residents’ Association. She did not take part in any discussion or voting on the application.

Mr Gibbons declared a conflict of interest in relation to Item 8, the application from the Historical Society of Eastbourne. He did not take part in any discussion or voting on the application.

6. Minutes

Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Mr Gibbons) Minute No. ECB 21301

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Eastbourne Community Board held on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, be confirmed as a true and correct record.”

Election of the Deputy Chair (21/736)

Memorandum dated 11 May 2021 by the Democracy Advisor

The election of Deputy Chair was determined by lot between Mr Spedding and Mr Vickers. Ms Moss used the toss of a coin to determine the outcome.

Mr Spedding won the toss and was appointed Deputy Chair.

Resolved: (Mr Vickers/Mr Spedding) Minute No. ECB 21302

“That the Board:

(1) notes that the Deputy Chair for the 2019-2022 triennium is selected on a rotational basis; and

(2) elects Mr Spedding to the position of Deputy Chair from 6 July 2021 until the first or second meeting of the Board in 2022.”

Community Engagement Fund Round Two - 2020-2021 (21/876)

Memorandum dated 4 June 2021 by the Community Advisor Funding and Community Contracts

Ms Moss declared a conflict of interest and did not take part in any discussion or voting in regard to the application from the Lowry Bay Residents’ Association.

Mr Gibbons declared a conflict of interest and did not take part in any discussion or voting in regard to the application from the Historical Society of Eastbourne.

The Chair advised that members had considered the applications and had agreed on recommendations. She explained the reasons for the recommendations as follows:

· An allocation of the full sum requested was recommended for the Historical Society of Eastbourne and the Point Howard Association as their applications fulfilled the requirements for this fund, had clear community benefits and certainty of being used, as outlined in the application.

· An allocation of $300 was recommended for the Lowry Bay Residents’ Association (the Association) since it was noted the project was in its early stages and did not yet have Council approval. The Association was invited to apply for further funds the following year when more details of the project were finalised. Members noted the request was for $900 rather than the $500 listed on the Order Paper.

· An allocation of $300 was recommended for the Days Bay Playcentre for storage bins and a photo printer since these items fulfilled the requirements of the fund.

· The application from the Mahina Bay Residents’ Association (the Association) had not been considered since the Association had received funding from an alternative source since applying.

Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Mr Spedding) Minute No. ECB 21303

“That the Board:

(1) notes that the Community Engagement Fund closed on 1 June 2021 and
10 applications were received;

(2) notes that four applications did not meet the criteria of the fund and/or the requests were ineligible and one organisation has agreed for their application to be considered in the next round of community engagement fund 2021-2022;

(3) notes that $300 was allocated in the first round of funding and there is $2,066 available to be allocated in this round;

(4) agrees that five applications were considered according to the merits of the application criteria and priorities of the fund;

(5) approves the application from the Lowry Bay Residents’ Association for $330 for the purchase of materials to install a nest swing with a wooden frame;

(6) approves the application from the Days Bay Playcentre for $300 for the purchase of storage bins and a photo printer;

(7) approves the application from the Point Howard Association for $583 for the purchase of building materials for the Point Howard Community Garden;

(8) approves the application from the Historical Society of Eastbourne for $853 for the purchase of specialised archive packaging materials in which to store and preserve local history items;

(9) does not consider the application from the Mahina Bay Residents’ Association for $3,765 for the purchase of an AED (defibrillator) as the Association had since received alternative funding for the project; and

(10) requests the recipients of the Eastbourne Community Engagement Fund attend a future Community Board meeting once their project has been completed.”

Submission to Hutt City Council's Draft Long Term Plan 2021-2031 (21/892)

Memorandum dated 8 June 2021 by the Democracy Advisor

The Chair agreed to discuss the provision of water fountains in outdoor public areas with Council officers and report back to Board members.

Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Ms Moss) Minute No. ECB 21304

“That the Board:

(1) notes that a submission in respect of Hutt City Council’s Draft Long Term Plan 2021-31 requires the Board’s retrospective endorsement; and

(2) endorses its submission attached as Appendix 1 to the memorandum.”

10.

Democracy Advisor's Report (21/733)

Report No. ECB2021/3/78 by the Democracy Advisor

The Chair advised she would report back on the ‘Climate Sensitive Towns and Communities’ Conference at the Board meeting in November 2021.

Resolved: (Deputy Mayor Lewis/Mr Vickers) Minute No. ECB 21305

“That the Board:

(1) receives and notes the report;

(2) retrospectively approves expenditure of $1,953.85 inclusive of GST from the Board’s training budget for the Chair to attend the ‘Climate Change Towns and Communities’ conference; and

(3) notes that the Chair will provide a post-event report at its next meeting in November 2021.”

11.

Chair's Report (21/758)

Report No. ECB2021/3/79 by the Chair

Speaking under public comment, Ms Diane Cheyne, representing the Days Bay Residents Association (the Association), expressed appreciation for the new Days Bay wharf and was looking forward to viewing the design for its shelter. She said she was still waiting for a response on the Association’s feedback on the Williams Park Tennis Courts from Council’s Asset Manager, Parks. She expressed approval for the proposed design of Williams Park that had been presented to the Days Bay Residents Association by Council’s Parks, Reserves and Recreation Planner. She advised a person had been hit by a car on the pedestrian crossing near the Chocolate Fish cafe in Days Bay and asked for action to improve pedestrian safety at the crossing.

Mr Gibbons responded that it was possible there could be some funding for art work for the new Days Bay wharf shelter.

The Chair advised Council’s Traffic Engineer – Network Operations was working on safety improvements to the pedestrian crossing in Days Bay. She said the public information afternoon on the shared path would be held in the Muritai School Hall from 1pm – 4pm in late July.

Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Mr Vickers) Minute No. ECB 21306

“That the report be noted and received.”

12.

Hutt City Local Alcohol Policy (21/938)

Memorandum dated 15 June 2021 by the Chair

Resolved: (Ms Moss/Mr Gibbons) Minute No. ECB 21307

“That the Board requests Council amends the Hutt City Local Alcohol Policy to introduce a cap of two off-licences in the Eastbourne area.”

13. Information Items

Maire Street Car Park Shared Path (21/940)

Memorandum dated 16 June 2021 by the Chair

Mr Vickers advised that Board members were now working with Council officers to implement a permanent shared path through the Maire Street car park.

The Chair thanked Mr Spedding for his work on the project.

Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Mr Vickers) Minute No. ECB 21308

“That the Board notes and receives the memorandum.”

14. Reports from representatives on local organisations

Report Back from Representatives on Local Organisations (21/936)

Report No. ECB2021/3/85 by the Democracy Advisor

Okiwi Trust

The Chair advised that the Okiwi Trust co-ordinator had resigned and a new co-ordinator was being sought. She notes the role had expanded over the past few years and a new job description was being created.

Eastbourne Youth Workers Trust

Mr Spedding reported the youth group was experiencing strong attendances of 20-30 each week.

Community Emergency Response Group

Mr Spedding reported that Council’s Emergency Management Lead would be meeting with the group this week. He noted a Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) officer had already met with the new principal of Wellesley College.

Eastbourne and Bays Community Trust (the Trust)

Mr Gibbons reported that at the Trust’s recent AGM, the secretary had retired and added a new secretary was being sought. He said this year the Trust had received good returns from its investments and had been able to award additional scholarships.

Vibrant Village

Mr Gibbons advised plans for the historic Eastbourne police cell block (the block) were being developed. He noted that he was waiting on the support of the Historical Society of Eastbourne in order to go ahead. He asked for members’ approval in principle. He had requested financial assistance from Council to transport the block from the Menzshed to Rona Bay Wharf and provide electricity. He said the block would be gifted to Council and Council would be responsible for the building’s future maintenance. He added the Historical Society of Eastbourne would refurbish the building but might require funding from Council to do this.

Mr Gibbons advised the new East by West electric ferry service was expected to be ready to operate by the third week of August. He noted it would have capacity for 135 passengers.

Mainland Island Restoration Operation (MIRO)

Mr Vickers advised fencing for the northern part of the Pencarrow Lakes was complete. He explained this would keep cattle out of the area.

15. QUESTIONS

Mr Vickers advised that land near Burdan’s Gate might be available to be converted to a bike pump track. He noted it would require an approved plan and funding from Council. Members expressed support for the plan.

Resolved: (Ms Moss/Ms Horrocks) Minute No. ECB 21309

“That the Board supports in principle a project to convert land near Burdan’s gate to a bike pump track.”

There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.15 pm.

V Horrocks

CHAIR

CONFIRMED as a true and correct record

Dated this 31st day of August 2021

June 2021 Mayoral Statement

Kia ora koutou katoa,

I hope you all have been keeping safe over the past week.

Once again, the recent COVID-19 scare we’ve had in Wellington is a reminder for all of us to stay vigilant.

As local leaders we must set a good example of public health behaviour for the people who live in our city.

Please continue to encourage our residents, especially the ones in your communities, to scan QR codes, wash and sanitise hands, and maintain social distancing.

Even though things are looking positive, remember to check on your friends and family, and encourage ‘local’. These are stressful times, particularly for our small businesses, and it’s important that we all continue to support each other.

LTP

Since the last community board meeting, Council has unanimously agreed to more than double its capital investment as part of its 10 year plan.

This is a massive milestone for the people of Lower Hutt, and it will allow us to front up to some of the biggest challenges we face by getting back to basics and investing in core infrastructure

82 per cent of submitters on our draft ten year plan said that we need to significantly increase our three waters investment. That’s why we’re investing $587 million to fix, replace, and service our pipes over the next ten years.

83 per cent of submitters said that it’s vital that we take a proactive approach to transport investment in our city. We will invest $406 million to support our transport and micromobility programme.

80 per cent of submitters agreed that we should build a new $68 million Naenae Pool so that it replicates the previous facility in size and function, along with innovation and efficiency.

Community visits

I also wanted to update you on what’s been happening in the community since we last met.

Late last May, we blessed the new housing development site, Takai Here Tangata, alongside our partners Te Āti Awa, Kahungunu Whānau Services, and Urban Plus Limited.

This partnership will deliver homes to help our local whānau into housing permanency, and make a small, yet important, difference in the face of Lower Hutt’s housing crisis.

I would like to congratulate the recent Queen’s birthday honour recipients from our city. They have made an enormous contribution to our city and country, and fully deserve the recognition they received. They are:

David John Appleyard for services to education
Bruce Henry Hart for services to education
Peter Ronald Horne for services to bowls and Paralympic sport
Shirley Audrey Lanigan for services to nursing
Peter Anthony Miskimmin for services to sports governance and public service
Benita Jane Robinson for services to the community
Vanessa Ann Taylor for services to bowls and the community

And finally, nine of our local businesses have been nominated for this year's Wellington Gold Awards. We know our city has hubs of business innovation and excellence, and I’m excited to continue visiting our local businesses who drive our city’s economy.