18 September 2019
Media: NZME
Topic: Council spending on staff Christmas function
Enquiry
In the lead-up to local body elections, NZME would like to query how much was spent by local Government on Christmas parties last year. My questions to you are below.
How much did the Rotorua Lakes Council spend on a Christmas party (or Christmas parties) for staff last year? Please include a breakdown on what the money was spent on.
Where was the party (or parties) held, what was the format (ie. a dinner, drinks...) and how many staff were catered for?
If there was a separate event for elected members, what did that cost?
May I also please have a quote from the mayor Steve Chadwick about whether she believes the money was well spent or not and what the importance of Christmas parties are for staff?
Response
Information:
On the last day of work for the year Council provides lunch for staff, generally consisting of ham, chicken, salads, bread, a small selection of desserts and juice. It is an alcohol-free occasion, costing approximately $3000 and attended by approximately 150.
Staff values champions are acknowledged as part of the lunch.
The lunch is held in the Council's staff cafeteria.
Any leftovers are donated to the annual Rotorua combined churches Christmas dinner or a charitable organisation like Love Soup which feeds the homeless.
Staff do not receive gifts from the organisation.
Elected members (Council, rural and lakes community boards and council's Te Arawa partnership board Te Tatau o Te Arawa) have a separate function, usually a dinner. Last year's function cost $1938 (food and drinks) for 38 people.
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
The Christmas lunch for staff is a small but important acknowledgement of the hard work they do for our community. It's certainly not excessive and is a lovely occasion which staff enjoy and value, providing an opportunity for us to thank them and celebrate their values champions.
The elected members Christmas dinner is very low key and like the staff function, is an opportunity to acknowledge what's been achieved during the year. It was held at my home last year and we are always very aware of cost.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post/BOP Times
Topic: Rotorua rates compared to other districts
Enquiry
We've been supplied an embargoed copy of this year's Taxpayers' Union's rates report and are seeking comment to this report this afternoon please.
The report, which I've been told has been checked by councils, shows the average Rotorua rates are $2358 (compared to the provincial council average of $2391, and national average of $2367). Staff costs per household is $934 (compared to provincial average of $1036, and national average of $1086). All up, Rotorua ranks 30th in NZ for average rates. Last year, it was 35th.
- How does the report's RLC findings stack up compared to recent criticism about unreasonable rates in Rotorua?
- The RLC rates appear to be fairly standard compared to other, similar-sized TAs. Is this a case of Rotorua playing catch up or are Rotorua's rates disproportionate to what you feel is ideal?
- What, if anything, has been done in the past year to help fix rates or keep them low?
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Response
Mayor Chadwick responded to the reporter directly, by phone, and made the following key points:
Council is always very aware of the need to keep rates increases as low as possible and considers how best to spread the rates burden.
Partnership funding for key projects Council is delivering have helped keep rates lower.
Rates were previously kept artificially low, which meant previous councils couldn't invest in growth and means Rotorua is now playing catch-up
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Mayor's letter to ministers seeking alignment of Government agencies
Enquiry
I have prepared a story on the letter sent from the mayor with reaction from the ministers it was sent to.
Can I please clarify where the mayor got her stat about the 2700 registered homeless from, and when that was dated to?
Subsequent questions:
Reporter sought more clarification about why it was important to her to write to the ministers, and if she could give a little more context/examples about her concerns for our "Motel Mile".
Response
We have checked this for you and can clarify that it should be Rotorua had about 2700' not has.
The number refers to 2676 people in Rotorua who needed emergency housing special needs grants in 2018 in Rotorua because they were unable to find housing and needed accommodation assistance. The information came from the Ministry of Social Development.
From Mayor Chadwick re subsequent questions:
"As I said when I tabled the letter at last week's Council meeting, housing is an issue of high concern and we need to keep the pressure on to get more housing.
Right now we are frustrated by a lack of alignment between government agencies and with the likes of NZTA objecting to land we are trying to open up for housing. We have been talking to government agencies about this and I wanted to ensure the relevant ministers are aware of our frustrations.
We need more homes - of all types - and solutions will require a collaborative approach by all with a role to play. This includes local and central government and its agencies, which need to be aligned in order to make a difference. Right now, this misalignment is keeping people out of homes.
Ultimately, we all want the same outcome but we need a better collective response and want to partner with Government.
What we are currently doing collectively isn't producing the homes our community desperately requires. We want to develop a plan and actions so we can provide homes that match people's needs and align with the aspirations of our community. Council can't do this alone and is prepared to with all agencies and organisations to provide housing solutions for our community.
As I've said many times, using motels as temporary housing is not a viable long-term solution. It is far from ideal for those requiring emergency housing and is not what visitors expect when they book visitor accommodation."
NOTE: See p6 of the 12 September Extraordinary Full Council meeting (HERE) to view the letter referred to in this media enquiry/response
