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 13 August 2018, commencing at 9.01am

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:

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

Apologies:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) (for early departure on Council Business).

The Mayor (Grant Smith) left the meeting at 10.47am at conclusion of clause 33. He was present for clauses 32 and 33.

32-18

Apologies

Moved Adrian Broad, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Committee receive the apologies.

Clause 32-18 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.

The meeting adjourned at 9.01am

The meeting resumed at 10.30am

33-18

Presentation - ComputerCare NZ Ltd

Presentation, from Wayne Masters, Managing Director of ComputerCare NZ Ltd.

ComputerCare had started in 1990 and had grown since then to now employing 50 staff. Located at the back of the old Farmers building they provide technology advice and support to businesses throughout the central North Island.

The biggest problem they face as a business is getting more staff as the business is currently growing at a rate of 30%. Mr Masters had recently attended the Microsoft conference in Las Vegas and it appeared that was an international concern.

ComputerCare work with UCOL and offer six month internships, but there was still a disconnect between tertiary institutions and the “real world”. Cultural fit and work life balance was still high priority for new employees. Palmerton North still struggles with its image but Mr Masters believed that by making it an attractive place to live, with good schools, affordable housing and a wide range of entertainment this would change.

Moved Adrian Broad, seconded Vaughan Dennison.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

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

Clause 33-18 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) left the meeting at 10.47am

34-18

Presentation - Midway Occupational Health Services

Presentation, from Allyson Harwood, Managing Director of Midway Occupational Health Services.

Ms Harwood came to Palmerston North from Hawkes Bay to train as a Nurse, with the intent of moving back, however has remained in Palmerston North and believed that it was an amazing place to raise a family.

In 1998 she bought Midway Occupational Health Services and initially had three staff but that had now increased to eight. They now deal with small, medium and large businesses across the lower North Island and had recently set up in Whanganui.

The business had changed a lot since it began with technology a large part of the role.

Moved Adrian Broad, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

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

Clause 34-18 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

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.

35-18

Presentation - Sort It Careers Expo Review

Presentation, from Julia Giles, Events Co-ordinator and Tessa Lyons, Events Senior, CEDA.

The Sort It Careers Expo had been held on 17 May 2018 with 73 exhibitors, 25 of which were businesses, in attendance. Over 4,000 visitors attended, including 2700 high school students from 20 High Schools.

A business after 5 function had been held with 120 attendees and also a Study to Work Programme for International Students with 35 attendees.

The Expo had received very positive feedback with 97% of exhibitors stating they would exhibit again in 2019.

Moved Gabrielle Bundy-Cooke, seconded Lorna Johnson.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

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

Clause 35-18 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

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.

36-18

Confirmation of Minutes

Moved Adrian Broad, seconded Aleisha Rutherford.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting of 11 June 2018 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Clause 36-18 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

37-18

International Relations 6-monthly update

Memorandum, dated 30 July 2018 from the International Relations Manager, Toni Grace.

Moved Duncan McCann, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Committee note the progress of International Relations activity over the past six months, contributing to the achievement of the International Relations Plan and outcomes of the Economic Development Strategy .

Clause 37-18 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

38-18

Approval of international travel for the Mayor to Sister City, Missoula

Memorandum, dated 30 July 2018 from the International Relations Manager, Toni Grace.

Moved Adrian Broad, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That the Mayor be granted approval to travel overseas in October 2018 to visit Sister City Missoula, Montana, and associated business.

Clause 38-18 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

39-18

Committee Work Schedule

Moved Vaughan Dennison, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

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

Clause 39-18 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The meeting finished at 11.32am

Confirmed 10 September 2018

Chairperson