Minutes of Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee

Palmerston North City Council

Minutes of the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee Meeting Part I Public, held in the Council Chamber, First Floor, Civic Administration Building, 32 The Square, Palmerston North on 17 November 2021, commencing at 1.01pm

Members

Present:

Councillor Rachel Bowen (in the Chair), The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Brent Barrett, Zulfiqar Butt, Renee Dingwall, Lorna Johnson, , Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

Non Members:

Councillors Susan Baty, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay QSM, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Leonie Hapeta and Billy Meehan.

Apologies:

Councillor Orphée Mickalad; Councillors Susan Baty, Lew Findlay and Leonie Hapeta (early departure).

Councillor Leonie Hapeta left the meeting at 2.26pm during consideration of clause 29. She was not present for clauses 29 to 35 inclusive.

Councillor Susan Baty left the meeting at 2.56pm during consideration of clause 30. She was not present for clauses 30 to 35 inclusive.

Councillor Aleisha Rutherford left the meeting at 2.56pm during consideration of clause 30 and entered the meeting again at 3.17pm. She was not present for clause 30.

Councillors Lew Findlay QSM and Billy Meehan left the meeting at 2.58pm after consideration of clause 30. They were not present for clauses 31 to 35 inclusive.

Councillor Karen Naylor left the meeting at 3.52pm after consideration of clause 33. She was not present for clauses 34 and 35.

23-21

Apologies

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Committee receive the apologies.

Clause 23-21 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Lew Findlay QSM, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

24-21

Presentation - Creative New Zealand

Mr Richard Thompson and Ms Cara Peterson presented Creative New Zealand’s survey findings for Palmerston North residents relating to New Zealanders and the Arts: attitudes, attendance and participation.

Participation in Arts events/locations among Palmerston North residents is consistent with the national average. The majority of Palmerston North residents are clear that the Arts is a key part of the City’s identity, and want it to be recognised as a place that supports the Arts. They also feel that the Arts make an important contribution to a community’s resilience and wellbeing, and that the Arts improve New Zealand society.

The Arts contribute to our sense of self, nationhood, and understanding of others, and should reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity. For most residents the Arts are also an important way of connecting with their culture and taking part in Arts can help support their identity.

Overall Palmerston North residents feel positive about the accessibility and inclusivity of the Arts in their community, including the range of arts and artistic activities available to experience. 61% agree they can easily access arts in their community, which is higher than the national average. 42% of Palmerston North residents feel that the Arts is important to their personal wellbeing, which is in line with the New Zealand average.

The net impact of COVID-19 has been to value the Arts more in terms of their wellbeing.

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the presentation from Creative New Zealand be received for information.

Clause 24-21 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

25-21	Public Comment Ms Margaret Tennant made public comment about the old Post Office building. She spoke about the history of the building and the reasons why, in her opinion, it was a particularly important building for the Council to provide support for. The building is significant as it reflects social and geographical change. It is an important symbol of the role of government in the city, historically very important to the city economy and employment. The building encapsulates the neo-liberalism of the 1980s and the transformation of government functions played out in our landscape. The building is part of the wider context of The Square Te Marae o Hine - one of the historical anchor points which also include the Grand Hotel, DIC, All Saints Church and Ansett Tower. The building provides a physical anchor point but is also part of people’s experience and memories about Palmerston North. History is to the community as memory is to the individual – if individuals lose their memory they lose their sense of identity, the anchor of their being. A society without awareness of its own history may similarly be rudderless.
	Moved Zulfiqar Butt, seconded Rachel Bowen. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the public comment from Margaret Tennant be received for information.
	Clause 25.1-21 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Lew Findlay QSM, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett. 2. That the Chief Executive urgently investigate if there is any role for Council in securing the future of the Old Post Office building, including options to include it in Streets for People with a view toward transit hub and related uses, and report back to an elected member Workshop or Council meeting as appropriate.
	Clause 25.2-21 above was carried 9 votes to 6, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Zulfiqar Butt, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Karen Naylor and Bruno Petrenas. Against: Councillors Susan Baty, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay QSM, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan and Aleisha Rutherford.

26-21

Presentation - Act Three Productions

Mr Alan Nagy provided an update on the upcoming programme and current position of Act Three Productions (formerly Abbey Musical Theatre).

Mr Nagy discussed the impact COVID-19 had made on Act Three Productions during 2020 and 2021. After being forced to cancel the April 2020 season of Sister Act, the Society was able to re-stage it in August 2020, with the assistance of the Regent on Broadway Promotions team and hours of voluntary work and perseverance.

After four performances of Sister Act, Palmerston North moved to Alert Level 2. The Society’s production team were able to work with the Regent on Broadway to find a creative solution to this dilemma, allowing a return to the stage with a segregated audience of 400 people per performance – a solution that was adopted by many performance venues around New Zealand.

The Society went on to produce a successful season of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat later in 2020 and in April 2021, Chicago. Four nights in to the 2021 season of We Will Rock You another COVID-19 lockdown occurred, which meant this production had to be abandoned, resulting in a financial loss even after generous assistance and relief from some of the major creditors to the production. Mr Nagy thanked the Regent on Broadway team, BounceNZ, Pixel Productions and Image Group for their assistance and patience.

The Society received financial assistance through the Palmerston North City Council’s COVID Relief Fund and a Givealittle page which raised over $15,000. The Society was very thankful both to the Council and the community for this assistance; these and other contributions kept the Society solvent. They are currently staging Legally Blonde with generous assistance from CR Law.

Scheduled productions for 2022 include a re-staging of We Will Rock You in February (3,000 tickets have already sold), Godspell and Jersey Boys.

Mr Nagy expressed the Society’s thanks to the Council and the Regent on Broadway for their ongoing commitment and assistance.

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the presentation from Act Three Productions be received for information.

Clause 26-21 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

27-21	Confirmation of Minutes
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Vaughan Dennison. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the minutes of the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee meeting of 14 April 2021 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.
	Clause 27.1-21 above was carried 11 votes to 0, with 4 abstentions, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford. Abstained: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Susan Baty, Lew Findlay QSM and Leonie Hapeta.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Vaughan Dennison. 2. That the minutes of the extraordinary Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee meeting of 5 May 2021 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.
	Clause 27.2-21 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Lew Findlay QSM, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Vaughan Dennison. 3. That the minutes of the extraordinary Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee meeting of 29 September 2021 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.
	Clause 27.3-21 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Lew Findlay QSM, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

28-21

Caccia Birch Trust Board - Annual Report 2020-21

Memorandum, presented by Hannah White, Democracy & Governance Manager.

Mr Grant O’Donnell, Chair, Caccia Birch Trust Board presented Caccia Birch Trust Board’s Annual Report 2020-21 to the Committee.

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That Council receive the Caccia Birch Trust Board’s Annual Report 2020-21 (Attachment 2 of the memorandum titled ‘Caccia Birch Trust Board – Annual Report 2020-21’), presented to the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee on 17 November 2021.

Clause 28-21 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

29-21

The Regent Theatre Trust - Annual Report 2020-21

Memorandum, presented by Hannah White, Democracy & Governance Manager.

Mr David Walsh, Manager, Regent Theatre presented the Regent Theatre Trust Board’s Annual Report 2020-21 to the Committee.

Councillor Leonie Hapeta left the meeting at 2.26pm.

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That Council receive the Regent Theatre Trust Board’s Annual Report 2020-21 (Attachment 2 of the memorandum titled ‘The Regent Theatre Trust – Annual Report 2020-21’), presented to the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee on 17 November 2021.

Clause 29-21 above was carried 14 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Lew Findlay QSM, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

30-21	The Globe Theatre Trust - Annual Report 2020-21 Memorandum, presented by Hannah White, Democracy & Governance Manager. Mr Gerry Keating, Manager, Globe Theatre presented the Globe Theatre Trust Board’s Annual Report 2020-21 to the Committee. Councillors Susan Baty and Aleisha Rutherford left the meeting at 2.56pm.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett. The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 1. That Council receive the Globe Theatre Trust Board’s Annual Report 2020-21 (Attachment 2 of the memorandum titled ‘The Globe Theatre Trust – Annual Report 2020-21’), presented to the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee on 17 November 2021.
	Clause 30-21 above was carried 12 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Lew Findlay QSM, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor and Bruno Petrenas.
	The meeting adjourned at 2.58pm. The meeting resumed at 3.17pm. Councillors Lew Findlay QSM and Billy Meehan were not present when the meeting resumed. Councillor Aleisha Rutherford was present when the meeting resumed.

31-21

Te Manawa Museums Trust - Annual Report 2020-21

Memorandum, presented by Hannah White, Democracy & Governance Manager.

Mr Andy Lowe, Chief Executive, Te Manawa presented Te Manawa Museums Trust’s Annual Report 2020-21 to the Committee.

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That Council receive Te Manawa Museums Trust Board’s draft Annual Report 2020-21 (Attachment 2 of the memorandum titled ‘Te Manawa Museums Trust – Annual Report 2020-21’), presented to the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee on 17 November 2021.

Clause 31-21 above was carried 11 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

32-21

Statements of Expectation for Cultural Council Controlled Organisations 2022-2023

Memorandum, presented by Gillian Tasker and Stephanie Velvin, Community Development Managers.

In The Regent’s SOE, Ms Tasker stated that the Regent Trust Board has addressed the final issue in the table under Section 2, Development of the Statement of Intent. They have reviewed employee leave procedures and reduced employee leave liabilities accordingly. Officers recommended that this item be removed from the Regent’s SOE.

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That Council approve the Statements of Expectation for Te Manawa Museums Trust, Regent Theatre Trust (as amended), and Globe Theatre Trust (Attachments 1–3 of the memorandum titled ‘Statements of Expectation for Cultural Council Controlled Organisations 2022-2023’), presented to the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee on 17 November 2021, as the basis for the Statements of Intent 2022–2025.

Clause 32-21 above was carried 11 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

33-21	Report on future plans for celebration of Waitangi Day and Matariki public holidays in Papaioea / Palmerston North Memorandum, presented by Luke McIndoe, Head of Events.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the memorandum titled ‘Report on future plans for celebration of Waitangi Day and Matariki public holidays in Papaioea/Palmerston North’ presented to the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee on 17 November 2021, be received for information.
	Clause 33-21 above was carried 11 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.
	Councillor Karen Naylor left the meeting at 3.52pm.

34-21

Feasibility and Process for Establishing a Heritage Advisory Panel

Memorandum, presented by David Murphy, Chief Planning Officer.

During discussion, Elected Members felt that Palmerston North had a unique story to tell, and that consideration of a Heritage Advisory Panel should be referred to the 2022/23 Annual Budget.

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Rachel Bowen.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That the Chief Executive is directed to prepare a programme to establish a Heritage Advisory Panel to be considered as part of the 2022/23 Annual Budget.

2. That it be noted that should the Council wish to proceed with the establishment of a Heritage Advisory Panel it will be recommended that:

· The panel is a volunteer community-based panel that helps scope research of heritage themes to be addressed as part of the delivery of Council activities

· The panel contains Rangitāne representation

· The membership and terms of reference of the panel are prepared in consultation with Rāngitane, Manawatū Heritage Trust and other interested heritage stakeholders.

Clause 34-21 above was carried 10 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

35-21

Committee Work Schedule

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee receive its Work Schedule dated November 2021.

Clause 35-21 above was carried 10 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Rachel Bowen, Brent Barrett, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

The meeting finished at 4.26pm.

Confirmed 13 April 2022

Chairperson