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 August 2019, commencing at 9.00am

Members

Present:

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

Non Members:

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

Apologies:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) (early departure) and Councillor Adrian Broad.

Councillor Aleisha Rutherford left the meeting at 9.16am during consideration of clause 27. She entered the meeting again at 9.26am during consideration of clause 28. She was not present for clause 27.

26-19

Apologies

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Susan Baty.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Committee receive the apologies.

Clause 26-19 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Rachel Bowen, 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.

27-19

Presentation - Nero Restaurant

Scott Kennedy, owner, Nero Restaurant made a presentation regarding his business and ambassadorial role for NZ Beef and Lamb.

Mr Kennedy started his training as a chef at Periwinkles in George Street as a 17 year old straight out of school. He travelled to Wellington two days a week to attend Polytech training during this time. When he was 21 he opened his first restaurant, Vavasseur, which he operated for 10 years and then opened Nero’s which is his current restaurant.

He is also a Beef and Lamb Ambassador for New Zealand which involves travelling overseas promoting the good food we have in New Zealand. This role has given credibility to his business and also is great for the Manawatu.

He believed Palmerston North had some good restaurants that was now getting national recognition and the Plate of Origin was a fantastic competition that created a focus on the region.

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Tangi Utikere.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

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

Clause 27-19 above was carried 14 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

28-19

Presentation - Tui Early Learners

Lars and Deborah Pedersen, Directors of Tui Early Learners made a presentation regarding their business.

Tui Early Learners was a 100% family owned Childcare business that not only looked after children but their education as well. All five of their centres had recently achieved the highest rating possible by the Education Review Office placing them in the top 5% of childcare centres in New Zealand.

They have approximately 65 staff and also employ students as they prefer them to train on the job and currently have 12 students working with them.

Lars and Deborah were proud to have won the 2018 Westpac Business Supreme Award as well as category winners in Education, Technology & Research and Large Business Award.

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Duncan McCann.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

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

Clause 28-19 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

29-19

Presentation - Chard Consulting Limited

Fiona Chard, Managing Director of Chard Consulting made a presentation on how her company provides business management advice to nationwide organisations.

Born and Bred in Palmerston North, Ms Chard has a strong connection to the local community, is a member of Rotary and heavily involved in Hockey at all levels.

Chard Consulting was started in 2011 with one client providing management consulting to the tertiary education market, but has since found that the work they do is valued by a wide range of people in business. The business is described at doctors for organisations and also personal trainers. They are approved all-of-government providers which manes that government agencies and those signed up to all-of-government contracts can engage directly with the business without having to go through a procurement round.

Being located in Palmerston North had both advantages and disadvantages. A major disadvantage was the cost and reliability of regional air travel. Also not being close to government to be able to regularly engage with decision-makes in formal and informal settings. However would like to look at opportunities to bring those people to the region and expose them the business that is done up here.

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Aleisha Rutherford.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

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

Clause 29-19 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

30-19

Confirmation of Minutes

Moved Aleisha Rutherford, seconded Rachel Bowen.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting of 10 June 2019 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Clause 30-19 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

31-19

International Relations 6-monthly update

Memorandum, from Toni Grace, International Relations Manager.

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Duncan McCann.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

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

Clause 31-19 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

32-19

Committee Work Schedule

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Gabrielle Bundy-Cooke.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Economic Development Committee receive its Work Schedule dated August 2019.

Clause 32-19 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The public part of the meeting finished at 10.17am

Confirmed 9 September 2019

Deputy Chairperson