MINUTES OF Carterton District Council
Ordinary Council Meeting
HELD AT THE Carterton Events Centre, 50
Holloway St, Carterton
ON Wednesday, 14 May 2025 AT 1:00 pm
PRESENT: Mayor Ron Mark, Deputy Mayor Steve Cretney, Cr Brian Deller, Cr Robyn Cherry-Campbell, Cr Steve Laurence, Cr Grace Ayling, Cr Lou Newman, Cr Steve Gallon
IN ATTENDANCE: Staff
Geoff Hamilton (Chief Executive), Karon Ashforth (Corporate Services Manager), Solitaire Robertson (Planning and Regulatory Services Manager), Glenda Seville (Community Services and Facilities Manager), Johannes Ferreira (Infrastructure Services Manager), Victoria Caccioppoli (Financial Accountant), Becks Clarke (Community Development Team Leader) via videoconference, David Johnson (Information Systems Manager), Natascha Anderson (Financial Services Officer) via videoconference, Marcus Anselm (Communications and Engagement Manager), Robyn Blue (Democratic Services Officer), Katrina King (Democratic Services Officer)
Other
Brook Ah Wong – Youth Council
Destination Wairarapa – Anna Maxwell and Roger Wigglesworth
1 Karakia Timatanga
The meeting opened with a karakia by all members.
2 Apologies
MOVED
That an apology be received from Cr Dale Williams.
Cr S Laurence, Cr R Cherry-Campbell
CARRIED
3 Conflicts of Interests Declaration
There were no conflicts of interest declared.
4 Public Forum
1. Mary Byrne and Eleanor Harper presented a petition against fluoride being added to Carterton water. In their view, the current legislation which mandates fluoridation is contrary to our understanding of democracy and violates the NZ Bill of Rights. They informed Council about the negative effects of fluoride and sought to have Council add it’s weight to the NZ First policy of removing fluoride from all municipal water supplies. Council noted that Carterton does not currently fluoridate its water supply. They presented a petition to Council, however it was not officially received as it did not meet the minimum threshold of 20 signatures from Carterton residents.
2. Roger Boulter provided an update on his submission to the Regional Transport Plan. His submission identified that the capacity of the Hutt Valley rail services needs to be reviewed now, otherwise there will be impacts on the planned increase in Wairarapa rail services. He said his submission was well-received.
3. A proposal for a multi-sport indoor stadium in Carterton was tabled by Haley Malcolm, suggesting the possible relocation of sports codes to a new potential site. Councillors acknowledged current leases and sport code dynamics, and expressed support for further investigation of the idea.
5 Youth Council views on agenda items
Brook Ah Wong was in attendance at the Council meeting.
On behalf of the Youth Council, Glenda Seville identified that the Youth Council is in support of the Wairarapa/Tararua model for Local Water Done Well. The group noted this is an important decision that will have implications for future generations. There needs to be affordability and access to core services.
They noted that CDC is geographically in the middle of the three Wairarapa councils and there will be an impact if one or more councils chooses to be independent.
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1. Purpose For the Council to receive a report of activities for the quarter ending March 2025. |
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That the Council: 1. Receives the report. Cr B Deller / Cr R Cherry-Campbell CARRIED |
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1. Purpose To seek the approval of Councillors to disestablish the Wairarapa Library Service (WLS) between Carterton District Council (CDC) and South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) and return management of the libraries to the respective councils effective 1 July 2025. |
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That the Council: 1. Receives the report. Cr L Newman / Cr R Cherry-Campbell CARRIED 2. Notes that since its inception the Wairarapa Library Service has been struggling with significant operational challenges, stemming from different financial, IT, staffing, budgeting, planning, and service delivery systems/business processes between the two Councils. These challenges have generated inefficiencies that have affected productivity and customer focus. 3. Notes that attempts have been made to improve our operational efficiency and streamline our systems, however we have not been able to improve the model to the point that both Councils can achieve their strategic objectives through the shared service model. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr S Laurence CARRIED 4. Approves disestablishing the Wairarapa Library Service and returning the management of the libraries to respective Councils effective from 1 July 2025. Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Cr G Ayling CARRIED 5. Approves the unbudgeted increase of a 0.5FTE library assistant. Cr B Deller / Cr R Cherry-Campbell Against – Cr G Ayling and one other councillor 6. Notes there is expected to be no impact to customers and levels of service will remain the same. Both Councils have agreed and will implement a detailed transition plan with minimal disruption. 7. Notes that SWDC and CDC will continue to cooperate closely on shared activity to the benefit of customers. We will actively explore that future cooperation via an MOU. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr L Newman CARRIED |
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1. Purpose For the council to approve renewal of agreements with Economic Development providers; Destination Wairarapa, Business Wairarapa and Wairarapa Dark Skies Association. |
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That the Council: 1. Receives the report. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr B Deller CARRIED 2. Agrees to renew the existing MOU with Destination Wairarapa for a one-year term at $55,968 plus GST (plus an adjustment for inflation based on the annual CPI). Cr Deller / Cr R Cherry-Campbell Against Cr Ayling – and one other councillor One other councillor against CARRIED
3. Agrees to renew the existing MOU with Business Wairarapa for a one-year term at $15,000 plus GST. Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Deputy Mayor S Cretney Against - Cr Ayling – and one other councillor CARRIED
4. Notes the one-year extension allows more time to further develop a new MOU with both organisations and the other two councils. Cr S Gallon / Cr B Deller CARRIED
5. Notes CDC will enter a new MOU with Wairarapa Dark Skies Association for a two-year term at $10,000 plus GST per annum. Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Deputy Mayor S Cretney Against – Cr S Gallon, Cr G Ayling, Cr L Newman CARRIED |
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1. Purpose For Council to receive the results of the 2025 Community Satisfaction Survey and seek Council approval to prepare and complete an annual community satisfaction survey to ensure compliance with audit requirements and maintain continuity of feedback data. |
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That the Council: 1. Receives the report. 2. Agrees to Council preparing and completing an annual community satisfaction survey. 3. Adopts the 2025 Community Satisfaction results and associated Action and Engagement Plan. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr L Newman CARRIED |
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1. Purpose For the Council to consider the adoption of the draft Annual Plan 2025/26 and resolution to set rates for the year ending 30 June 2026. |
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· There was discussion about the impact of the proposed rates for 25/26 and the impact on urban ratepayers related to an increase in the depreciation of waters assets. · The options to reduce the rise in rates for urban ratepayers are: o Receive advice if reserve funding for one purpose can be used for another o Deferring depreciation of assets o Reviewing the model for allocating wages (this may have either a positive or negative effect on urban ratepayers) o Use debt funding or financial contributions. MOVED That the Council: 1. Receives the report. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr B Deller CARRIED Recommendation 2 deferred 2. Adopts, pursuant to Section 95 of the Local Government Act 2002, draft Annual Plan 2025/26, including the schedule of fees and charges as attached in Attachment 2. Recommendation 3 deferred 3. Delegates authority to the Mayor and Chief Executive to make minor editorial changes to the draft Annual Plan 2025/26 prior to publication.
Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Cr S Laurence CARRIED 5. Asks the Chief Executive to provide Council with advice on the options for reducing rates. Mayor R Mark / Cr G Ayling CARRIED |
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1. Purpose For Council to consider the setting of rates for the 2025/26 financial year. |
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All recommendations were deferred That the Council: Receives the report: Pursuant to Sections 23, 24 and 57 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, resolves to set the rates, due dates and penalties regime for the 2025/26 financial year as follows: All rate amounts stated are GST inclusive. (a) General rate A general rate on the capital value of each rating unit in the district. The general rate is set on a differential basis over three rating categories as follows:
Where – · Residential means: - all rating units used primarily for residential purposes within the residential zone of the Carterton District as depicted in the District Plan - all rating units located in the commercial and industrial zones of Carterton District, as depicted in the District Plan, that are used primarily for residential purposes - all rating units associated with utility services (water, telecommunications, etc.) that are located in the urban area. · Commercial means: - all rating units in the commercial zone of Carterton District, including the Carterton Character Area, as depicted in the District Plan, and all rating units outside the said commercial zone that have existing use rights or resource consent to undertake commercial land use activities under the Resource Management Act 1991 - all rating units in the industrial zone of Carterton District, as depicted in the District Plan, and all rating units outside the said industrial zone that have existing use rights or resource consent to carry out industrial land use activities under the Resource Management Act 1991. - Excludes any rating units used primarily for residential purposes - Includes any rating units within the rural zone of Carterton District, as depicted in the District Plan, holding or exercising existing use rights or resource consent to carry out commercial or industrial land use activities under the Resource Management Act 1991 · Rural means: - all rating units within the rural zone of Carterton District, as depicted in the District Plan, but excluding those rating units that hold and are exercising existing use rights or resource consent to carry out commercial or industrial land use activities under the Resource Management Act 1991 - all rating units associated with utility services (water, telecommunications, etc) that are located in the rural area. A General Rate set under section 13(2)(b) Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, on every rating unit on a differential basis as described below: • a rate of 0.19238 cents in the dollar (including GST) of capital value on every rating unit in the Residential category • a rate of 0.34629 cents in the dollar (including GST) of capital value on every rating unit in the Commercial category • a rate of 0.15391 cents in the dollar (including GST) of capital value on every rating unit in the Rural category
(b) Uniform Annual General Charge A Uniform Annual General Charge on each rating unit in the District to fully fund Governance activities and to fund Community Support activities within the maximum possible under section 21 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002. The Uniform Annual General Charge is calculated as one fixed amount per rating unit, for the rating year 2025/26 this rate will be $1,291.25 (including GST) per rating unit set under section 15(1)(a) Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.
(c ) Targeted rates Regulatory and planning service rate A regulatory and planning service rate for regulatory, resource management, and district planning services on every rating unit in the district, calculated on capital value. A targeted Regulatory and Planning Services Rate of 0.00849 cents per dollar of capital value set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 on every rating unit in the district. Urban wastewater rates A differential targeted rate for the Council’s urban wastewater and treatment and disposal of wastewater services of a fixed amount per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit in relation to all land in the district to which the Council’s urban wastewater service is provided or available. The rate applied is as follows: · A charge per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit that is able to be connected · A charge per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit connected The Council also sets a rate (pan charge) per water closet or urinal within each separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit after the first one for rating units with more than one water closet or urinal. For the purposes of this rate: · ‘Connected’ means the rating unit is connected to the Council’s urban wastewater service directly or through a private drain. · ‘Able to be connected’ means the rating unit is not connected to the Council’s urban wastewater drain but is within 30 metres of such a drain. · A separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit used primarily as a residence for one household is treated as not having more than one water closet or urinal. a. A rate of $692.38 per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 for rating units that are not yet connected but are able to be connected to the Council’s urban sewerage reticulation system. b. a rate of $1,384.77 per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 for rating units that are connected to the Council’s urban sewerage reticulation system. c. a rate of $1,384.77 set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 for each water closet or urinal after the first in each separately used or inhabited part of a non-residential rating unit connected to Council’s urban sewerage reticulation system.
Waingawa wastewater rates A targeted rate of a fixed amount on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit that is connected to the Waingawa wastewater service. And A differential targeted rate on capital value on all properties connected or able to be connected to the Waingawa wastewater service. The rate will be set on a differential basis over two rating categories: · All rating units located in the Waingawa industrial zone of Carterton District, as depicted in the District Plan, that are used primarily for residential purposes · All other rating units in the Waingawa industrial zone of Carterton District. For the purposes of these rates: · ‘Connected’ means a rating unit that is connected to the reticulated wastewater service. · ‘Able to be connected’ means a rating unit that can be connected to the wastewater service, but it not, and is a property situated within 30 metres of such a drain. The purpose of these rates is to fund the operation and maintenance of the Waingawa wastewater service. a) a targeted Waingawa Sewerage Rate of $219.00 set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit that is connected to the Waingawa Sewerage Service located in the Waingawa industrial zone of Carterton District, b) a rate of 0.21579 cents per dollar of capital value set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 on all rating units connected or able to be connected to the Waingawa Sewerage Service, in the Waingawa industrial zone of Carterton District that are not used primarily for residential purposes, c) a rate of 0.10789 cents per dollar of capital value set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 on all properties used primarily for residential purposes connected or able to be connected to the Waingawa Sewerage Service located in the Waingawa industrial zone of Carterton District. Stormwater rate A stormwater rate on all rating units within the urban area calculated on land value. For the purposes of this rate the ‘urban area’ is rating units: · Within the residential zone of the Carterton District as depicted in the District Plan, · Adjacent to the residential zone where stormwater from the property drains to the Council’s urban stormwater system. o a targeted Stormwater Rate of 0.04610 cents per dollar of land value set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 on all rating units within the urban area. Refuse collection and kerbside recycling rate A refuse collection and kerbside recycling rate for kerbside refuse and recycling collection on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit to which the Council’s collection service is provided or available. (a) a targeted Refuse Collection and Kerbside Recycling Rate of $126.00 set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit where Council provides the service, or the service is available. Urban water rates A differential targeted urban water rate of: · a fixed amount on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit that has been fitted with a water meter or meters and is connected to the Council’s urban water supply system. · of a fixed amount per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit for rating units that are not yet connected but are able to be connected to the urban water supply. Additionally, a targeted metered water rate per cubic metre of water supplied, as measured by meter, for water consumed over 225 cubic metres per year. This rate will be invoiced separately from land rates. For the purposes of the differential targeted rate: · ‘Connected’ means a rating unit to which water is supplied, · ‘Able to be connected’ means a rating unit to which water can be, but is not, supplied being a property situated within 100 metres of the water supply. The purpose of these rates to fund the operation and maintenance of the urban water supply. (a) a rate of $906.12 set under section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit that has been fitted with a water meter or meters and is connected to the Council’s urban water supply system, (b) a rate of $453.06 per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 for rating units that are not yet connected but are able to be connected to the urban water supply system, (c) a targeted Metered Water Rate of $2.10 per cubic metre set under section 19(2)(a) Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 for each cubic metre of water supplied, as measured by meter, over 225 cubic metres per year. (d) A targeted Metered Water Rate of $3.20 per cubic metre set under section 19(2)(a) Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 for each cubic metre of water supplied, for temporary connections for Commercial and Industrial rating units as defined by the differential for General Rate. Carterton Water Race Systems targeted rates A targeted rate on a differential basis, calculated on land area, on rating units within the Carrington or Taratahi water race system classified areas as follows: · Class A land area 200 metres either side of the centreline of the water race · Class B land area from 200 to 500 metres either side of the centreline of the water race · Class C land area able to be irrigated from water drawn from natural watercourses fed from the Water Race System, calculated from conditions of the applicable resource consent. A rural water services rate on every rating unit situated in the Carrington or Taratahi Water Race Classified Areas for provision of the service. The amount is a rate per rating unit. For the purposes of this rate ‘provision of the service’ means the provision of water for stock or domestic use, including where: · The water race channel passes over the ratepayer’s property · The water race is piped through the ratepayer’s property · Water is extracted from the water race on a neighbouring property. o a targeted Rural Water Race Rate of $311.83 set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 per rating unit on land situated in the Carrington and Taratahi Water Race System Classified Areas that has provision of the service. o a targeted Rural Water Race Rate set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, calculated on land area on rating units within the Carrington and Taratahi Water Race System Classified Areas as follows: • Class A $36.82683 per hectare • Class B $ 8.45052 per hectare • Class C $226.44919 per hectare where classes are defined in the Funding Impact Statement. A metered Water Race rate for principally commercial / industrial use – per cubic metre taken - $2.30 per m3. A metered Water Race rate for principally horticultural use per cubic metre taken - $1.40 per m3. Waingawa Process Water – a
metered Process water rate per cubic metre taken - $1.25 per m3. Waingawa water rates A targeted rate of a fixed amount on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit that has been fitted with a water meter or meters and is connected to the Waingawa Water Supply service. For the purposes of this rate: · ‘Connected’ means a rating unit to which water is supplied. Additionally, a targeted rate per cubic meter of water supplied, as measured by meter. This rate will be invoiced separately from other rates. The purpose of these rates is to fund the operation and maintenance of the Waingawa Water Supply service. (a) a targeted Waingawa Water Rate of $773.11 per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit set under Section 16 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 on all rating units that are connected to the Waingawa reticulated water service. (b) a targeted metered Waingawa Water Rate of $3.22 per cubic metre set under Section 19(2)(b) Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, as measured by meter, for all water supplied to each rating unit which has been fitted with a meter or meters with consumption up to and including 50,000 cubic metres per year and is connected to the Waingawa reticulated water service. (c) a targeted metered Waingawa Water Rate of $2.78 per cubic metre set under Section 19(2)(b) Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, as measured by meter, for all water supplied to each rating unit with consumption over 50,000 cubic meters per year, which has been fitted with a meter or meters and is connected to the Waingawa reticulated water service. Economic Development Rate The economic development rate is primarily used to fund regional and local economic development initiatives. · a targeted Economic Development Rate of $586.88 per rating unit on all Commercial and Industrial rating units as defined by the differential for General Rate. (d) Due Dates for Rate Payments (excluding metered water rates) Pursuant to Section 24 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, that the rates (excluding metered water rates) for the year 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 be assessed in four equal instalments with each instalment due on the due date for payment for that instalment set out in table 1 below.
Table 1: due dates and penalty dates for rate payments (excluding metered water rates)
(e) Due Dates for Metered Water Rate Payments Pursuant to Section 24 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, that the due dates for metered water rates are as set out in the table below for each reading period for the year 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Table 2: due dates and penalty dates for metered water rates
(f) Penalty Charges (Additional Charges on Unpaid Rates) Pursuant to Sections 57 and 58(1)(a) of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, a penalty of 10% of the amount of each instalment of rates (except metered water rates) remaining unpaid after the relevant due date for payment will be added on the relevant penalty date for the instalment stated in table 1. Targeted rates for metered water supply will be invoiced separately from other rates. A 10% penalty will be added to any part of the invoiced metered water rates that remain unpaid after the relevant due date stated in table 2 as provided in Sections 57 and 58 (1)(a) Local Government (Rating) Act 2002. The penalty will be added on the relevant penalty date for the instalment stated in table 2. Pursuant to Sections 57 and 58(1)(b) of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, a penalty of 10% will be added on 1 July 2025 to the amount of rates assessed in previous financial years and remaining unpaid as at 30 June 2025 excluding metered water rates. Pursuant to Sections 57 and 58(1)(b) of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, a penalty of 10% will be added on 1 August 2025 to the amount of water meter rates assessed in previous financial years and remaining unpaid as at 31 July 2025. |
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1. Purpose For the Council to set the Dog Control Fees for 2025/26. |
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That the Council: 1. Receives the report. 2. Adopts the Dog Control fees for 2025/26. 3. Gives notice of fees for registration of dogs by public notification no less than one month prior to the fees taking effect. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr B Deller CARRIED |
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1. Purpose For Council to consider the officer’s review of Calibre’s report - Lincoln Road Flood Risk Assessment - and consider recommendations for flood management. |
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That the Council: 1. Receives the report. Cr L Newman / Cr S Gallon CARRIED 2. Recommends officers develop the scope of work and cost estimates for: (a) Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) for Carterton District, and (b) Active maintenance of the Waikakariki Stream, and (c) Mitigation options for the Mangatārere Flood risk and bring these back to Council for consideration. Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Cr S Gallon CARRIED |
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1. Purpose For the council to consider consulting on Carterton's Draft Speed Management Plan 2025. |
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That the Council: 1. Receives the report. 2. Delegates to the Chief Executive the authority to: (a) approve the final consultation document for the Draft Speed Management Plan 2025, and (b) undertake further consultation on the Draft Speed Management Plan 2025, and (c) implement the changes as far as practicable within existing budgets. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr B Deller Against – Cr G Ayling CARRIED |
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1. Purpose For the Council to adopt the Standing Orders 2025. |
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That the Council: 1. Receives the report. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr R Cherry-Campbell CARRIED 2. Agrees to: (a) Option C as the default option for speaking and moving motions in clause 22 for Council. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr R Cherry-Campbell CARRIED (b) Option C as the default option for speaking and moving motions in clause 22 for Committees. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr S Laurence CARRIED 3. Agrees to: (b) include the provision of the Chair having a casting vote. Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Cr B Deller CARRIED 4. Adopts the Carterton District Council Standing Orders 2025 with the changes agreed in (2) and (3), and the amendments as noted in this paper and in the Standing Orders 2025 in Attachment 1. Cr B Deller / Deputy Mayor S Cretney CARRIED |
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1. Purpose For the Council to be informed on planned Council operational activities, major projects, and other matters of importance and interest. |
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· CDC Community Services were congratulated for their work with Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs. They are setting an example for other councils to follow. MOVED That the Council: 1. Receives the report. Deputy Mayor S Cretney / Cr R Cherry-Campbell CARRIED |
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1. Purpose To present the financial results to Council for the period ending 31 March 2025. |
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That the Council: 1. Receives the report. Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Cr S Gallon CARRIED |
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1. Purpose For the Council to be informed on Service Requests received in March 2025 to 5 May 2025, and Complaints received from March 2025 to 5 May 2025. |
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That the Council: Receives the report. Cr G Ayling / Cr S Gallon CARRIED |
8 Exclusion of the Public
RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC
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That the public be excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting. The general subject matter of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:
Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Cr B Deller CARRIED |
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That Council moves out of Closed Council into Open Council. Mayor R Mark / Cr B Deller CARRIED |
9 Karakia Whakamutunga
The meeting closed with a karakia by all members.
The meeting closed at 5.25 pm
Minutes confirmed: …………………………………………………
Date: ...................................................