Minutes of Economic Development Committee

Palmerston North City Council

Minutes of the Economic Development Committee Meeting Part I Public, held in the Council Chamber, First Floor, Civic Administration Building, 32 The Square, Palmerston North on 12 February 2018, commencing at 9.02am

Members

Present:

Councillor Adrian Broad (in the Chair), The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Gabrielle Bundy-Cooke, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay QSM, Leonie Hapeta, Duncan McCann, Aleisha Rutherford and Tangi Utikere.

Non Members:

Councillors Susan Baty, Jim Jefferies, Lorna Johnson, Karen Naylor and Bruno Petrenas.

1-18

Presentation - CEDA - Business Growth

Presentation from Peter Ellingham, Business Growth Advisor Technology & Innovation, Brian Sami, Business Growth Advisor and Rebecca Brownlie, Business Mentor Co-ordinator.

The Regional Business Partner programme is funded through Callaghan and NZTE and is tasked with helping SMEs (Small and Medium Business Enterprises) within the Horizons region to grow. A lot of these businesses have time to work in the business but not investing in growing the business.

The Business Growth Advisors work with these organisations sharing challenges, successes etc to get the right support and connections to assist their business to grow. Capability Development Vouchers provide co-funding to help businesses access expert coaching or training in a range of areas.

Businesses Mentoring is offered with local volunteer mentors working with small organisations to help make the most of business challenges and opportunities. It was noted that there was a shortage of mentors in the trades area.

Mr Ellingham works with Start Ups, Fonterra, BCC and a number of other organisations on behalf of Callaghan Innovation to support businesses that have the potential to stimulate economic growth in the region, this includes co-funding for research projects.

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Gabrielle Bundy-Cooke.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Economic Development Committee receive the presentation for information.

Clause 1-18 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Rachel Bowen, Adrian Broad, Gabrielle Bundy-Cooke, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay QSM, Leonie Hapeta, Jim Jefferies, Lorna Johnson, Duncan McCann, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas, Aleisha Rutherford and Tangi Utikere.

2-18

Presentation - CEDA - New Zealand AgriFood Week

Presentation from Linda Stewart, CEO and Jemma Brackebush, Communications Senior.

NZ AgriFood Week is into its third year and runs from 12 – 17 March 2018 with Opening night being held on 12 March 2018. The week is themed “Transforming Food Producers For the Future” with the events topics and guest speakers linked to the theme.

The week allowed industry leaders, agri professionals and the wider farming and food producing community to connect, engage and shared ideas. This year CEDA are looking into measuring the economic benefit to the local economy by working with the major conferences and surveying attendees.

In 2017 there were 25,000 attendees, including Central District Field Days and in 2018 hero events include Perspective 25, Future Leaders and Plate of Origin competition with seven restaurants taking part and a number of other events supporting and collaborating on the theme.

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Karen Naylor.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Economic Development Committee receive the presentation for information.

Clause 2-18 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

3-18

Confirmation of Minutes

Moved Lorna Johnson, seconded Rachel Bowen.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting of 11 December 2017 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Clause 3-18 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

4-18

International relations update report

Memorandum, dated 26 January 2018 from the International Relations Manager, Toni Grace.

Moved Adrian Broad, seconded Duncan McCann.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. To note the progress and outcomes of international relations activity, including the 2017 New Zealand China Mayoral Forum.

Clause 4-18 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

5-18

Committee Work Schedule

Moved Karen Naylor, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Economic Development Committee receive its Work Schedule dated February 2018.

Clause 5-18 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The meeting finished at 10.26am

Confirmed 12 March 2018

Chairperson