Palmerston North City Council

Minutes of the Play, Recreation & Sport Committee Meeting Part I Public, held in the Council Chamber, First Floor, Civic Administration Building, 32 The Square, Palmerston North on 24 February 2021, commencing at 1.00pm

Members Present:	Councillor Billy Meehan (in the Chair) and Councillors Brent Barrett, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Karen Naylor and Bruno Petrenas.
Non Members:	Councillors Rachel Bowen, Renee Dingwall and Lorna Johnson.
Apologies:	The Mayor (on Council Business) and Councillors Susan Baty, Leonie Hapeta (late arrival), Lew Findlay QSM and Aleisha Rutherford.

Note:     Councillor Renee Dingwall attended the meeting via visual audio link.

Councillor Leonie Hapeta entered the meeting at 1.07pm during consideration of clause 2.  She was not present for clause 1.

Councillor Aleisha Rutherford entered the meeting at 1.17pm during consideration of clause 2.  She left the meeting at 3.52pm during consideration of clause 8. She was not present for clauses 1 and 8.

The Mayor (Grant Smith) entered the meeting at 1.27pm during consideration of clause 3. He left the meeting at 2.19pm during consideration of clause 4.  He was not present for clauses 1, 2 and 5 to 8 inclusive.

Councillor Susan Baty entered the meeting at 3.12pm during consideration of clause 6.  She was not present for clauses 1 to 5 inclusive.

1-21	Apologies
	Moved Billy Meehan, seconded Brent Barrett. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1.   That the Committee receive the apologies.
	Clause 1-21 above was carried 10 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor and Bruno Petrenas.

2-21	Presentation - Greasy Chain Charitable Trust Mr Bob Selden, Chair of the Greasy Chain Charitable Trust, and Dr Steve Stannard, Gravel and Tar Race Director, made a presentation regarding 2021 Gravel and Tar races and associated events. Mr Selden stated that in 2021 Greasy Chain Charitable Trust organised the Manawatu Cycling Spree with eight events over three days from 22 to 25 January 2021, including Gravel and Tar, and mentioned some minuses and pluses of the project. The Criterium was cancelled due to lack of numbers and the music and food festival at Memorial Park organised by the Council was poorly attended. For next year, they plan to start with Gravel and Tar in late January and spread the other events out during February, aligning with the national cycling month. Mr Selden explained that the events went very well. One of the highlights was the increase of media coverage including papers, television, Global Cycling Network, and a video showcased on Sky TV. Media coverage and social media engagement with a successful Facebook campaign brought people into the region. These kinds of events give the opportunity to local juniors to try out their skills and demonstrate what they can do. Gravel & Tar was one of two events that could be delivered this year, while most of the events have been cancelled worldwide due to Covid-19. Dr Stannard advised that this has been the 6th edition of Gravel and Tar, with the race concluding successfully and safely. Dr Stannard added that their events are solidly established in the international cycling calendar and have a very strong reputation. However, this year there were not any international riders due to closed borders. The presence of New Zealand’s best known professional cyclist George Bennett helped to attack media attention. They plan to livestream the next events. Finally, Dr Stannard mentioned that one of the barriers was traffic management, which is difficult and very expensive, and thanked Council for its assistance and support. Councillor Leonie Hapeta entered the meeting at 1.07pm. Councillor Aleisha Rutherford entered the meeting at 1.17pm.
	Moved Billy Meehan, seconded Rachel Bowen. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1.   That the Play, Recreation & Sport Committee receive the presentation for information.
	Clause 2-21 above was carried 12 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Leonie Hapeta, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

3-21	Presentation - Netball Manawatu and Manawatu Lawn Tennis Club Professor Andy Martin, on behalf of Manawatu Lawn Tennis Club, and Mr Chris Gunn, Netball Manawatu General Manager, made a multi-sport presentation about a proposal to upgrade the current facilities at Vautier Park and Manawatu Lawn Tennis Club by covering some of the existing courts. Professor Martin advised there was an urgent need for indoor multi-sport facilities in Palmerston North. CET Arena cannot satisfy the increasing demand. The proposal would benefit tennis and netball, which cannot be played in the rain, as well as other sports like badminton, volleyball and basketball. Participation in all these sports has increased significantly. Besides enhancing community sport participation, the proposal would have long term economic impact since secondary school events could be hosted, i.e. volleyball nationals and basketball nationals. Mr Gunn added that the participation rates in netball had not dropped in the last seven years and it was a growing sport, particularly for years 1 to 6. The proposal would help to create an environment conducive to good play and good experience as well as address health implications, considering that the sun is a concern particularly in the younger years. The Mayor (Grant Smith) entered the meeting at 1.27pm. During discussion an additional motion was passed to consider the matter through the ongoing formal process of the Long Term Plan.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1.   That the Play, Recreation & Sport Committee receive the presentation for information. 2.   That the Presentation from Netball Manawatu and Manawatu Lawn Tennis Club be referred as a submission to the Long Term Plan.
	Clause 3-21 above was carried 13 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

4-21	Hearing of Submissions - Draft Play Policy: Rēhia Papaioea! Play Palmy, Play!
	Moved Billy Meehan, seconded Rachel Bowen. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1.   That the Play, Recreation & Sport Committee hear submissions from presenters who indicated their wish to be heard in support of their submission. 2.   That the Play, Recreation & Sport Committee note the Procedure for Hearing of Submissions, as described in the procedure sheet.
	Clause 4-21 above was carried 13 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.
	The following persons appeared before the Committee and made oral statements in support of their submissions and replied to questions from Elected Members. Jennifer Olsson (6) Mrs Jennifer Olsson spoke to her submission and made the following additional comments: · Suggested that the Council install a basketball hoop for the children of her community (Halswell Crescent), pointing out that it would make a big difference to the ability of these children to play. · In relation to point 14 of the Council’s guidelines, Mrs Olsson questioned what the scope of the term ‘community’ was. · There are communities where there is a need to provide tools to kids, for example Westbrook, Highbury and Awapuni. Memorial Park Sports Trust Board (3) Ms Sandy Nimmo spoke to the Memorial Park Sports Trust Board’s submission and made the following additional comments: · Mentioned operational matters with respect to the policy as currently written, and obstacles and challenges that Memorial Park Sports Trust Board was facing regarding the delivery of activities at Memorial Park due to the ongoing construction works. Ms Nimmo clarified that they wanted to help but they would not be able to do so until the works are finished and the equipment storage area is more accessible. · The definition of ‘play’ in the Policy should include motivation and opportunity, in accordance with Sport New Zealand’s definition of play which mentions ‘intrinsically motivated, spontaneous, personally directed, and freely chosen’. · Excellent move for Palmerston North to have a Play Policy. Dr Heather Knox (5) Dr Heather Knox spoke to her submission and made the following additional comments: · The Council can have a big impact in actively promoting and enabling play. Promotion is important. · There is a gap in promoting play by showing concrete examples and providing ideas, especially for parents on how to get out and play. This gap is being filled to some extent by initiatives from individuals or groups, such as the Facebook Page Palmerston North Parents, Palmy Dirty 30, Palmy Rocks and Manawatu Family Microadventures, but it is not a cohesive programme and, generally, parents have interest in this for a certain period of time and then move to other kinds of things when children get older. · PNCC website already has information about parks and playgrounds but upgrading it could be helpful. Communication channels should be used more to promote play, inform more and share experiences, for example through blogs, photo competitions (which can be highly encouraging to share photographs), etc. · The Council or relevant authority should take responsibility for marketing the spaces that we already have to the Palmy community and also to people who come to visit the city. The Mayor (Grant Smith) left the meeting at 2.19pm. Palmy Dirty 30 (4) Mrs Katherine Parlane spoke to her submission and made the following additional comments: · The final version of a policy should be more definitive in its definition of ‘free play’ in order for it to translate into action. For her, free play is providing children with open ended nature-based play opportunities, where imagination aids play, problem solving stimulation, and parallel or collaborative play with other children, spaces with proper amount of risk, surrounded by nature rather than fencing; and also be free of charge. · Suggested that Council: (i) keep engaged with parents who use the parks and reserves often, (ii) actively promote play and (iii) be creative in providing play spaces. · Children need to explore surroundings and have access to nature and interesting resources. A cool shady natural space will hold the attention of a child far longer than a playground. · Supporting free play by non-traditional nature-based venues and activities will ensure our children grow up in a vibrant green city that grows adult creative thinkers who are Palmy Proud. · Thanked the Council for developing a policy that supports children’s right to play. Sport Manawatū (1) Ms Whitney Le Comte, Regional Play Lead, and Mr Brad Cassidy, General Manager Partnerships, spoke to Sport Manawatū’s submission and made the following additional comments: · Acknowledged Council’s job related to the policy so far. · Sport New Zealand has created Aotearoa Play System establishing the 7 principles of play. Principle 3: everybody is responsible to provide play opportunities to tamariki; and principle 4: developing and creating different types of play and varied environments for play. · The policy should contribute by encouraging the community to have self-sustainability to promote play. · Within Aotearoa Play System, Palmerston North is highly regarded. · Sport Manawatū supports active play. Suggested that active play be encouraged through the policy and the Active Community Plan. Jessica Thompson (2) Mrs Jessica Thompson spoke to her submission and made the following additional comments: · Highlighted the importance of sun safety and the risk of melanoma due to sun exposure. · There are cost barriers in relation to access to sunblock. Many families cannot afford it. · Council has the ability to impact people’s lives. · Requested Council use this opportunity to help look after children and families. Cancer Society of New Zealand Manawatu Centre Inc (11) Mrs Kerry Hocquard spoke to the Cancer Society’s submission and made the following additional comments: · The vision of being physically active, sun-smart and smokefree makes really good sense. · More than 353 Kiwis died from skin cancer in 2015 and New Zealand men have the highest melanoma death rate in the world. Everybody has a part to play in trying to reduce these numbers. · The Council’s role is crucial in shaping our social and physical environments, our public spaces, our recreation and sports facilities, our community events, also in the promotion of events, shade planning, sun-smart practices and role modelling. · The Council commitment to shady play spaces shows that health and safety is important to our community. · Milverton Park, Esplanade and Takaro Park are good examples of shady and sun-smart environments. However, Farnham Park is not. · Questioned about the shade planning in the proposed development at Memorial Park. · As the city grows and high density living is increasing, there is a need to complement this with accessible, family-friendly green spaces. Places that allow for people to be sun-smart and physically active, with playgrounds that are safe, provide shade, are attractive and offer interesting experiences. This contributes to the physical and mental wellbeing of the community. · Recommended that shade audits be conducted for outdoor spaces with an equity lens used, and that playgrounds be located adjacent to an existing shade canopy. · This is a time for our Council to continue building on sun-smart and smokefree commitments previously made.

5-21	Draft Play Policy: Rēhia Papaioea! Play Palmy, Play!' - Overview of Consultation Activities and Submissions Memorandum, presented by Julie Macdonald - Strategy & Policy Manager.
	Moved Billy Meehan, seconded Leonie Hapeta. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1.   That the memorandum titled ‘Draft Play Policy: Rēhia Papaioea!  Play Palmy, Play! – Overview of Consultation Activities and Submissions’ presented to the Play, Recreation and Sport Committee on 24 February 2021 be received for information.
	Clause 5-21 above was carried 12 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Leonie Hapeta, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

The meeting adjourned at 2.59pm.

The meeting resumed at 3.11pm.

6-21	Progress report:  Sport Manawatū - Six month report (1 July to 31 December 2020) to Palmerston North City Council Memorandum, presented by Julie Macdonald, Strategy & Policy Manager, and Mr Brad Cassidy, General Manager Partnerships - Sport Manawatū. Councillor Susan Baty entered the meeting at 3.12pm.
	Moved Vaughan Dennison, seconded Karen Naylor. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1.   That the Committee receive the memorandum titled ‘Progress report: Sport Manawatū - Six-month report (1 July to 31 December 2020) to Palmerston North City Council’ and dated 24 February 2020.
	Clause 6-21 above was carried 13 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Leonie Hapeta, Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Rachel Bowen, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford.

7-21	Confirmation of Minutes
	Moved Vaughan Dennison, seconded Karen Naylor. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1.   That the minutes of the Play, Recreation & Sport Committee meeting of 16 December 2020 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.
	Clause 7-21 above was carried 12 votes to 0, with 1 abstention, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Leonie Hapeta, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas and Aleisha Rutherford. Abstained: Councillor Susan Baty.

8-21	Committee Work Schedule In discussion it was agreed that the item on the Work Schedule related to Memorial Park was already completed since the report was presented to the 21 December 2020 Council meeting (clause 151-20). It was also agreed to retain an update report on Memorial Park on the Work Schedule to review the progress on the implementation, which will be referred to the Infrastructure Committee Work Schedule. Councillor Aleisha Rutherford left the meeting at 3.52pm.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Karen Naylor. The COMMITTEE RESOLVED 1.   That the Play, Recreation & Sport Committee receive its Work Schedule dated February 2021. 2.   That the Chief Executive provide a final implementation Report for the Memorial Park Upgrade.
	Clause 8-21 above was carried 12 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Leonie Hapeta, Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Rachel Bowen, Zulfiqar Butt, Vaughan Dennison, Renee Dingwall, Patrick Handcock ONZM, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor and Bruno Petrenas.

The meeting finished at 3.54pm

Confirmed 14 April 2021

Chairperson