6 March 2020

Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Council staffing

Enquiry

Following a response in November 2019 to a request for information under the Local Govt and Official Information and Meetings Act [see HERE on Council's website], the reporter asked for commentary, additional information and clarification as follows:

Why were there fewer staff at RLC last year, compared with the years before? Was there any restructure or particular event that these figures would be directed affected by?

Why do more employees appear to be earning more (in the pay brackets)? And how much of this is impacted by the living wage going up? Can you please elaborate?

What positions or which areas the reduction in staff numbers came from? Could we please find that out?

Also, how much money was spent on wages in 2018/19 and of that how much came from ratepayers? (I did ask originally but didn't get a very clear answer) It'd be great if we could please have that same info for 2017/18 too.

Original question and answer:

Where does the money used to pay staff come from? (how much of this pay, if any, comes from ratepayers?)

The majority of staff costs is paid from rates income, however some staffing is paid by user fees or external contract funding eg: NZTA and Provincial Growth Fund.

Response

The responses below can be attributed to Rotorua Lakes Council CE Geoff Williams:

Why were there fewer staff at RLC last year, compared with the years before? Was there any restructure or particular event that these figures would be directed affected by?

Staff numbers change constantly as we look to manage staffing levels to help manage costs. People who leave are not necessarily automatically replaced, some roles are reviewed to determine if they are still needed and/or whether they could be delivered differently or by other staff. Last year we carried a large number of vacancies and not all of those positions were retained.

Why do more employees appear to be earning more (in the pay brackets)? And how much of this is impacted by the living wage going up? Can you please elaborate?

Strong market movements means highly skilled staff have many opportunities open to them so we need to pay market rates to attract and retain good staff. We also have to recognise people's skills, expertise and any added responsibilities they may be given. Much of our work requires a high level of skill and expertise and that is reflected in what we need to pay.

What positions or which areas the reduction in staff numbers came from? Could we please find that out?

There are no areas in particular - changes have occurred in many different departments.

Clarifications etc below are information rather than attributable comment:

Also, how much money was spent on wages in 2018/19 and of that how much came from ratepayers? (I did ask originally but didn't get a very clear answer) It'd be great if we could please have that same info for 2017/18 too.

Where does the money used to pay staff come from? (how much of this pay, if any, comes from ratepayers?)

The majority of staff costs is paid from rates income, however some staffing is paid by user fees or external contract funding eg: NZTA and Provincial Growth Fund.

Different activities are funded differently and user fees (eg for dog registration, consenting and event bookings and services) contribute to the costs of running some of our services, including the cost of staff.

The reference to external contract funding refers to the likes of contracts for externally funded major projects that may cover the cost of eg project management and subsidies we receive from the likes of NZTA for our local roading programme.

As per the previous response you received to your formal LGOIMA enquiry, the majority of staff costs annually are paid for through rates.

Total staff salaries and wages for the last few financial years (1 July to 31 June), as per Council's annual reports:

• $24.431m for the 2016/17 financial year
• $24,737m for the 2017/18 financial year
• $25,625m for the 2018/19 financial year

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Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Westbrook recreation precinct proposal

Enquiry

Re Westbrook precinct concept proposal reporter sent the following message:

The press release doesn't answer all of my questions.

I understand there was a meeting held on March 4 at 6 pm at the sports stadium.

I understand it was regarding the future of the Springfield Golf Course and stakeholders were invited, but it was invitation-only.

I understand neither owners of nearby properties / the neighbouring community were invited.

I also understand an element of that meeting was to discuss the usage of the club, with three options: a) keep it as it is b) reduce it to nine holes c) remove the golf course altogether - perhaps for a housing development.

• Can the council please confirm these things are correct? If some elements are correct and some not, please clarify. (I realise you've said golf club members were notified/invited - is that the only part that was incorrect?)
• What was the nature of the meeting and why was it not a public meeting?
• What was the outcome of the meeting?
• Which stakeholders were invited? Why were they chosen to invite?
• If owners of nearby properties / the neighbouring community were not invited, why not?

Who was there from the Rotorua Lakes Council?

Response

The following information was provided:

The meeting on Wednesday 4 March was to present the initial concept of the sports and recreation precinct at Westbrook.

The meeting was inclusive of sports clubs and groups across Rotorua, including the Springfield Golf Course.

Over the past few years, Council has also been engaging with sports clubs, groups, and regional and national sports organisations to understand their potential needs going forward.

The presentation was led by the Sport and Recreation team from Rotorua Lakes Council who have been working on the proposal.

Information packs on the proposal are currently being distributed to residents in the neighbouring area. Council are asking for the community to feedback on what they value about the current Westbrook sports facilities and area, what they would like to see in any future developments, and any other thoughts they may have on the proposal at this stage.

The feedback gathered will help inform any plans going forward, before funding options are explored, and any final proposal is prepared for submission into Council's 2021-2031 Long Term Plan. The Long Term Plan will also provide a further opportunity for community feedback.