Council complete annual plan deliberations
It was all in a day’s work for Nelson City Councillors and staff as deliberations for the 2017/2018 annual plan were completed on Tuesday.
Among the issues brought to the table, councillors approved a grant of $15,000 to the Bishop Suter Trust to continue to allow for free entry to all Suter Art Gallery visitors in 2017/18.
However, a second clause to fund $10,000 for free entry to all visitors as part of the operating grant to the Suter for the first three years of the Long Term Plan 2018-28 was not voted on, instead being referred back to the trust’s statement of intent process.
Christmas decorations
There may be a little extra Christmas cheer around Nelson’s CBD after a motion was passed to allocate $100,000 for the purchase of a Christmas tree and decorations for Christmas 2017.
Initial investigations had placed costs in the ‘‘tens of thousands’’, although health and safety, banners and other decorations would bring the total closer to the budgeted amount.
In response to a question from Cr Matt Lawrey regarding proposed costs on a Christmas tree, council chief executive Clare Hadley referred to an occasion where Palmerston North had spent $35,000 on a civic Christmas tree. She anticipated that half of the $100,000 budget would be needed to purchase an appropriate quality Christmas tree for Nelson.
Lawrey also asked if there was an opportunity for local businesses to contribute sponsorship in the hope of reducing costs. Mayor Rachel Reese said that there had been two offers, but details were at this stage confidential.
Stoke bus loop
Earlier, a recommendation to cease the Stoke bus loop service from July 1 was passed.
The decision removed the $80,000 budget for the Stoke Bus Loop in 2017/18, pending the results of the regional public transport plan review currently under way. It was acknowledged that the loop may resume if a more feasible option could be provided.
Cr Ian Barker welcomed the move and expressed frustration that the under-utilised service had been allowed to carry on as long as it had.
‘‘At least it is being realised it has not been used and it has cost us $40 per ride subsidy,’’ he said.
Cr Brian McGurk said he reluctantly supported the recommendation, although it was disappointing that an expressed need among the demographic profile in Stoke had not translated into adequate use by residents.
‘‘Just to say it didn’t work and therefore we should kick it for touch is a mistake – I look forward to having a review and seeing what we can deliver that meets people’s needs.’’
Marina
The council increased the budget for the marina boat ramp to $330,000 in 2017/18, as well as the marina development plan budget from $40,000, included in the draft Annual Plan, to $60,000.
It also approved a budget of $35,000 for relocating the trailer boat storage yard.
Council parks and facilities asset planner Andrew Petheram said the funding would be used in two parts. One part related to the updating of the current draft strategy, which would then follow on to the development plan that comes out of the strategy.
‘‘In order to complete the capital works at the marina, we need to know the location of where these works will be, so that will be drawing up a development plan with details relating to the location of buildings, carparking, traffic access and boat parking.’’
Reese said the setting up of the Marina Advisory board had been a success, and added a clause to thank the marina advisory group for their work.
‘‘Members of the advisory group are very enthusiastic – for a number of them, boating is their life and they’re retired so they’re putting a huge amount of energy into and they’re down there discussing, talking, plotting, planning – my job is just keeping them under control,’’ Petheram said.
The advisory group would require another two meetings before Petheram hoped to report back to council by August.
He believed that there was a good cross-section of marina users represented in the advisory group.
‘‘I don’t believe there are any rogue groups – they’re out there and seeking all alternative views.’’
LED lights
The council increased the capital budget for the city’s LED street lighting upgrade programme in the Annual Plan 2017/18 from $53,000 – as included in the Draft Annual Plan 2017/18 – to $2.4 million.
It was noted that the New Zealand Transport Agency was funding 85 per cent of the total for the 2017/18 year, while the council’s 15 per cent share totalling $360,000 would come under capital expenditure.
Much of the funding would be set aside in the purchasing of equipment, while the majority of work associated would be done by contractors and would therefore have minimal impact on staffing for other projects.