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 16 March 2022, commencing at 9.00am
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Members Present: |
Councillor Leonie Hapeta (in the Chair), and Councillors Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Lew Findlay QSM, Bruno Petrenas, Aleisha Rutherford and Mr Ruma Karaitiana. |
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Non Members: |
Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan and Karen Naylor. |
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Apologies: |
The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillor Rachel Bowen (for lateness). |
The Mayor entered the meeting at 9.03am during consideration of clause 1-22.
Councillor Orphée Mickalad entered the meeting at 9.06am, and Councillors Rachel Bowen and Pat Handcock arrived at 9.11am during consideration of clause 2-22. They were not present for clause 1-22.
Councillor Aleisha Rutherford left the meeting at 10.35am during consideration of clause 8-22. She was not present for clauses 8-22 and 9-22.
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Apologies |
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Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Vaughan Dennison. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the Committee receive apologies from Mayor Smith and Councillor Rachel Bowen (for lateness). The Mayor arrived at 9.03am.
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Clause 1-22 above was carried. |
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Presentation - Humphries Construction and Racing Awapuni Combined Enterprise (RACE) Presentation, by Paul Humphries, Chief Executive of Humphries Construction and Chairperson of Racing Awapuni Combined Enterprise (RACE).
Councillor Orphee Mickalad entered the meeting 9.06am.
Mr Humphries spoke on the residential and economic sphere for Humphries Construction. He raised the following points: - Residential sales and transactions have slowed in Palmerton North, however demand remains high. Sales have been affected by the new restrictive lending rules under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA). - New government standards for insulation, cladding, roofing, joinery and glazing will increase the price of construction. - Product supply issues continue, and are not helped by the building code which requires building consents to specify the brand of product to be used. This has created a product supply problem and reduces competitive pricing for the product.
Mr Humphries also spoke in his capacity as Chairman of the RACE Group of Clubs, Awapuni and Trentham, which includes Manawatū, Trentham, Feilding, Marton, Rangitikei and Wellington Racing Clubs. - Awapuni Racing club is looking to begin their Kikiwhenua subdivision which is a 300 lot subdivision. - The Awapuni synthetic track development has started ahead of schedule due to favourable weather conditions. This is due for completion in June/July this year. - Building a new 24 barn/stable complex at Awapuni with two more to be consented - Trentham is progressing a residential development consisting of 22 sections. - The future outlook for RACE is strong and they are currently financially stable. This situation has encouraged other central region clubs to want to discuss becoming part of RACE. Further discussions are being undertaken at present.
Councillors Pat Handcock and Rachel Bowen arrived at 9.11am.
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Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Vaughan Dennison. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the Economic Development Committee receive the presentation for information.
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Clause 2-22 above was carried. |
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Presentation - Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) Presentation, by Jerry Sherman Chief Executive of Central Economic Development Agency . Mr Sherman outlined to the Committee that CEDA had some personnel changes in the last few months. He had started as the new Chief Executive Officer in December 2021 and new board members had been appointed. He gave an overview of CEDA’s Work Programme and upcoming schedule. The major projects being undertaken were: - Clarity around the Central New Zealand Distribution Hub which was to be developed on the outskirts of Bunnythorpe. - Continuing development of the Food Strategy and promoting Palmerston North as a destination. - Links between CEDA, shareholders and stakeholders. |
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Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Vaughan Dennison. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the Economic Development Committee receive the presentation for information.
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Clause 3-22 above was carried. |
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Presentation - Manawatū Chamber of Commerce Presentation, by Amanda Linsley, Chief Executive Manawatū Chamber of Commerce. Ms Linsley introduced the new Chair of the Manawatū Chamber of Commerce Board, Mr Steve Davey to the Committee. She raised the following points: - Re-branded the Manawatū Chamber of Commerce has been undertaken to refresh and introduce “Business” into the LOGO. - Offered business support through the pandemic – providing information to keep businesses updated on Government policy and agencies available to assist them. - Supported a “buy local” campaign, not just locally but regionally. More people working from home has significantly affected foot traffic through the city -which has adversely affected trade. - Acted as a voice to government on behalf of local businesses regarding the effect of proposed policies. This has involved meeting other business agencies. - Promoted our region’s profile – by working with the other 33 Chambers around the country. - Palmy BID – continuing support to help it grow and achieve its outcomes. - Manawatū Business Awards – revitalised format being introduced for 2022. The event is scheduled for 4 November 2022. Have sought Council support. |
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Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Vaughan Dennison. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the Economic Development Committee receive the presentation for information. |
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Clause 4-22 above was carried. |
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Confirmation of Minutes
Remove Cr Lew Findlay from the attendance list as he was an apology.
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Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Vaughan Dennison. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the minutes (as amended) of the Economic Development Committee meeting of 8 December 2021 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record. |
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Clause 5-22 above was carried. Abstained: Councillor Lew Findlay QSM. |
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Summary report on the December 2021 Quarterly Economic Monitor Memorandum, presented by Peter Crawford, Economic Policy Advisor. |
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Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Susan Baty. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the Summary report on the December 2021 Quarterly Economic Monitor is received.
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Clause 6-22 above was carried. |
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International Relations and Education Update Report Memorandum, presented by Gabrielle Nguyen - International Relations Manager. |
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Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Orphée Mickalad. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the Committee note the progress on the International Relations and Education activity over the past six months, contributing to the Economic Development Plan and Innovative and Growing City Strategy.
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Clause 7-22 above was carried. |
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Health Care and Social Assistance Sector Profile 2021 and Logistics Sector Profile 2021 Memorandum, presented by Julie Macdonald, Strategy and Policy Manager. Councillor Aleisha Rutherford left the meeting at 10.35am. |
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Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Vaughan Dennison. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1 That the memorandum titled ‘Health Care and Social Assistance Sector Profile 2021 and Logistics Sector Profile 2021’, be received for information
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Clause 8-22 above was carried |
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Committee Work Schedule
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Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Vaughan Dennison. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1. That the Economic Development Committee receive its Work Schedule dated March 2022. |
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Clause 9-22 above was carried. |
The meeting finished at 10.37am
Confirmed 15 June 2022
Chairperson