30 November 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Aquatic Centre
Inquiry
I'm doing a follow-up on the Aquatic Centre management changes and was hoping Council would be able to answer these questions.
Are Rotorua Aquatic Centre staff employed by Rotorua Lakes Council being made redundant from their current employment contracts?
Do they have a choice to transition to CLM and retain their jobs if they agree to CLM terms and conditions? Or will they have to re-apply for their positions?
When do CLM take over management of the complex?
Additional question regarding amount of redundancy that may be paid out - what is the ballpark figure and is that something ratepayers would foot? (it was explained over the phone, for info only, that this could not be answered as the process was still underway)
Response
From Operations Group Manager Henry Weston:
Following Council's decision, we are now in a transition phase and there are a couple of processes underway - negotiations with staff and contract negotiations with Community Leisure Management (CLM).
We've worked hard with CLM to create as many opportunities for existing Aquatic Centre staff as we can and we're confident the majority will be offered opportunities with the new management company. That's expected to happen quickly.
Aquatic Centre staff have met with senior CLM management and the council, CLM, union representatives and staff are working through the transition.
An update will be provided at the appropriate time. In the meantime, we ask for the community's patience to enable all parties to work through this in an appropriate manner.
Click HERE to see the page created to keep the public informed of progress regarding the transition to the new partnership between Council and CLM to manage the Aquatic Centre.
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Media: BOP Times/Daily Post
Topic: Government's plans for ministry of forestry
Inquiry
The reporter sought comment from the mayor regarding government's plans to base a ministry of forestry in Rotorua (as was announce pre-election) and the potential impact on Rotorua and BOP.
Response
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
We're interested to see how we can support the intention to base a ministry of forestry in Rotorua - it would obviously be a good fit for our district. However, we don't yet have a clear picture of what it will involve and therefore what it could mean for Rotorua or the wider Bay of Plenty.
We've contacted Minister Jones' office to arrange for him to meet with us to discuss it and I've undertaken to have all the right people along when he is able to come and speak with us.
When in Rotorua recently the Prime Minister confirmed the intention to relocate the ministry of forestry to Rotorua but we have no detail yet so we look forward to discussing it with the minister as soon as possible.
