Key council decisions

Please note that the minutes of the Council meeting will only be confirmed at the following meeting.

July 2010

• Rates - Rates have been struck for the 2010/2011 year with the first instalment due for payment on 28 August.
• Westport Water Supply - The first stage of improvements to the supply is to commence next week with the replacement of filters.
• Cultural Hub Project - A report was presented outlining the operational savings of combining Coaltown and the I-Site in the new location. External fundraising continues.
• Speed restrictions Brougham Street - The speed limit on Brougham Street from Domett Street to the Orowaiti Bridge remains at 50km/hour.

June 2010

• Annual Plan - Council adopted the 2010/2011 Annual Plan. General rate increase to be 3.1%
• Rates Remission Policy - Council agreed to the changes to the policy effective from 1 July 2011 to allow for an amendment to our Long Term Plan.
• Springs Junction Hall - Decision by the Hall Board to demolish the existing hall was endorsed by Council.  The Hall Board will now investigate the options for a replacement multi-purpose building.
• Volunteer Rural Fire Forces - Grants were approved for Inangahua Junction, Charleston and Seddonville fire forces.
• Westport's Carnegie Library Building - Expressions of interest from the public to lease the building are to be called.
• Leasehold Land - Lessees on Council land to be offered a discount of 20% to encourage them to freehold their property. This offer will expire on 30 June 2011.

May 2010

• Appointment of Deputy Harbourmaster - Adrian Riglea was appointed Deputy Harbourmaster.
• Review of Trading in Public Places - Council agreed to make changes to trading in public places rules. Public consultation will take place with Council considering submissions in July.
• Use of Solid Energy Centre Contrary to Designation - Council agreed that the Development West Coast Hockey Turf could be used outside the designated hours during the weekend of 14/15 August to enable a boys and girls hockey tournament involving teams from the top of the South Island to take place.
•  Naming of Road - Council agreed to name an access road to Caroline Terrace as 'Bucklands Peak Road'.
• Westport Water Supply - Approval was given to undertake a preliminary investigation into identified water sources. Advise will also be sought on the cost of undertaking modelling of the exisiting reticulation, an operational review of the treatment plant, and a leak detection programme. Existing water supply filters will be refurbished.
• Incentive for Payment of Rates - Ratepayers who pay their rates by direct debit will be offered incentives such as movie passes and gym membership.
• Westport Returned and Services Association - Promotion and Development Rate - It was agreed to include in the 'Object' section of the Remission Policy an addition which states that Council supports the provision of welfare activities to returned servicement and women of the district. Such a policy change can only be done by way of an amendment to the Long Term Plan and after a special consultation process. This change would thus allow organisations such as the RSA a promotion and development rate remission.

April 2010

• Promotion and Development Rate RSA - Council resolved to instigate a policy change to allow the remission of $762.62 of the RSA's Promotion and Development rate. A further report will come to a future Council meeting on the process for doing this.
• Punakaiki Destination Plan - Council to advise DWC of the concerns expressed by the Punakaiki community and initiate discussions with all parties with a view to getting a consensus view on the strategic development of this area.
• Livestock Movements Bylaw - this bylaw was adopted with some changes as a result of Council considering submissions.
• SNAs and the requirements of the RMA - Council resolved to rely on the provisions in the Buller District Plan to satisfy Council's obligations under s6c of the RMA until such time as central government provide clear direction on how protection should be provided or sufficient internal resources become available to undertake the ongoing consultation required for the project.
• Freedom Camping - Council agreed to work with the other Coast Councils and wait until after the Mayors and Chair had discussed the matter further.
• Election 2010 - Council resolved to allow early processing of the voting documents during the voting period and that the order of candidates be determined by pseudo random order.  

March 2010

• Buller 2050 Project: Envisioning our Future - Council endorsed the project.
• Buller District Council Community Newsletter - Council will continue to produce the newsletter but on a bi-monthly basis using non-recycled matt paper rather than gloss.
• Reveiw of Trading in Public Places - All policies will be reviewed and reported to the May meeting.
• Cultural Hub Project - Council endorsed the concepts presented for the cultural precinct. They also endorsed the concepts presented for Stage I - Museum and I-Site, to advance to detailed design and preparation of tender documentation.
• Boyracers Snodgrass - Council revoked its earlier decision to install judder bars at Snodgrass as a result of a further meeting with residents. Other safety measures proposed by the Manager Operations will be installed.

February 2010

• Erosion of Inangahua River Bank - site visit to be arranged with West Coast Regional Council staff prior to lodging resource consent application.
• Buller Community Newsletter - Council to consider at March meeting when survey results have been collated.
• Lease of Holland Hall Site - Agreed to grant a lease to the Westport Kindergarten subject to gaining resource consent.
• Food Premises Licence Fees - Fees increased for 2010/2011.
• As a result of the Public Forum a further report on Snodgrass traffic safety will come to the March Council meeting.

January 2010

• Procurement Policy - adopted with minor amendment
• Westport Crime Prevention Cameras - Council agreed to include $5,000 in the 2010/2011 annual plan, but also encourages the Police to also contribute
• New Landfill Development - agreement to submit an application for resource consent to the West Coast Regional Council  and Buller District Council
• Literacy - Summer and Winter Programme Funding - $1,200 to be included in the 2010/2011 annual plan to assist with this programme
• Councillors Remuneration - Council approved the Remuneration Authority's recommendation for new salaries effective from 1 July 2010. A second determination will be issued after teh October election.

December 2009

• Local Government Leaders Position Statement on Climate Change - Council opted not to sign this statement
• Dangerous, Earthquake-Prone and Insanitary Building Policy - following consultation this revised policy was adopted without amendment
• Buller District Playgrounds Audit 2009 - working group of Crs Montgomery and Barnes together with council's Property and Waste Minimisation Officer and Planning Officer has been formed. They will review the audit report and prioritise recommended work and the costs thereof in order of compliance urgency and set budget requirements for the next 5 years to achieve district wide compliance overall.
• Snodgrass Rd - in response to a community request, judder bars and additional speed limit signs will be installed in Snodgrass Rd in an attempt to address a boy racer problem.
• Solid Energy Centre - an additional overflow carpark will be constructed at the northern end of the DWC hockey turf. This is to meet the designation requirements of the site.
• Reseal Tender - Council's annual reseal tender has been awarded to blacktop Construction Ltd in the amount of $603,139.02.

November 2009

• Draft Stock Movement Bylaw - Council adopted this draft with minor amendments to the staff recommendations to go out for consultation in January and February with Council considering any submissions in March 2010. The bylaw is scheduled to take effect from 1 July 2010.
• Use of Reefton Transfer Station for Car Dismantling - Council received a request from an Inangahua resident to allow the use of the Reefton Resource Recovery Park to store and carry out vehicle dismantling. This request was declined but staff will work with the enquirer to find other suitable land and ensure that the activity is carried out appropriately.
• West Coast Events Calendar - a request was received from a West Coast school for funding for a quarterly West Coast Events calendar. This request will be considered as a submission to the 2010/2011 annual plan.
• Council 2010 Meeting Schedule - this was approved with the addition of an ICB meeting on 12 April 2010.
• Public Forum - In response to a concern raised at the public forum, staff will investigate options for reducing the costs of disposing of abandoned vehicles including the suggestion os offering incentives.