8 November 2019

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Council workplace wellbeing initiatives

Enquiry

I am writing an article on wellbeing in the workplace and how that matches up with productivity. The story comes off the back of some Bay of Plenty companies implementing a four-day working week, while others promote multisport and exercise together at lunchtime. I am hoping to include the Rotorua District Council in this as I am sure there are ways they are promoting a work-life balance.

My questions to the appropriate person at the council are:

• What does Rotorua District Council do to promote workplace wellbeing?
• Why is a healthy work-life balance important, particularly in your line of work?
• Has the company done any survey on productivity levels since promoting wellbeing in the workplace? If yes, what are the results?
• If no survey, anecdotally how has this way of working changed the productivity in your staff?
• How much has it cost the company to implement this type of wellbeing in the workplace? Eg any extra costs? Have people had to take pay cuts?
• Do you agree with a four-day working week to help increase productivity in the workplace? Why/Why not?
• Please add anything else you would like to say here:

Response

From Richard Bird, Manager Organisation Development & Capability:

"The wellbeing of our staff is a top priority for Rotorua Lakes Council and we have a fantastic team of staff ensuring that there are plenty of activities and work programmes to encourage people to make positive lifestyle habits both at work and outside of work.

We undertake an engagement survey annually, which is a good predictor of productivity. Our surveys reveal high levels of staff engagement and very positive results around questions focused on work life balance and safety and wellbeing.

We understand that staff spend a majority of their life at work and it can often be a demanding environment. The benefits of having a safe and healthy workplace extend beyond productivity within the organisation. We know that a positive environment at work will enable staff to enjoy their home life more."

Information:

Rotorua Lakes Council is part of the WorkWell scheme which was developed by Toi Te Ora Public Health to support organisations to implement initiatives to encourage health and wellbeing within the workplace. The WorkWell programme supports corporate policies such as flexible working, drug and alcohol policy, smoke free policy, sun protection policy and eye health policy.

The key focus areas of the WorkWell programme are (please note these are set by Toi Te Ora as part of the national scheme):

• Smoke free
• Safe drinking and drug free
• Healthy eating
• Physical activity
• Mental wellbeing
• Sun safety
• ImmunisationRotorua Lakes Council has been part of the programme since 2011 and achieved Gold Standard Accreditation in 2018.Staff report changes as a result of the programme that include healthier eating, weight ,loss, increased physical activity, smoking cessation. Whilst the wellbeing programme is not the only contributor to increased engagement and productivity, it does make a significant contribution.A four-day work week is not something Council has explored to date but Council's Flexible Working Arrangements Policy enables staff and their managers to come to arrangements that meet business requirements while ensuring the quality of the balance between work, family and personal life.Programme cost:The cost of the programme is low with an annual budget of around $5,000. This is because many of our activities are no cost, organised voluntarily by staff or run drawing on community resources e.g Toi Te Ora, Healthy Families, Tipu Ora, BNZ.Some examples of WorkWell initiatives put in place at Rotorua Lakes Council:
• Subsidies for staff sports teams and fun runs e.g. Rotorua Ekiden
• Walking Wednesdays
• Corporate rate offers with local gyms
• Promotion of Dry July
• Free nutritional seminars with Healthy Families Rotorua
• Healthy snack competition
• Healthy shared food information
• Free financial wellbeing seminar
• Access to sunscreen for all staff and sun safety wear for staff working outdoorsCouncil's Safe and Sustainable Journeys team also plays a key role in encouraging staff to think about the way they travel to and from work by implementing ways to adjust to using active modes of transport such as walking, biking or e-biking.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Media: NZME

Topic: Council catering spend

Enquiry

In the year to August:

- How much did the council spend on catering for council meetings?

- How much did the council spend on catering for other internal functions?

-How much did the council spend on catering for external (public) functions?

Response

Council's catering costs for the year to 31 August 2019 are as follows.

Council meetings: 11,946.71

External meetings: 75,096.92

Internal meetings: 65,908.52

________________________________________________________________________________________

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Fryer Rd property

Enquiry

[re 175 Fryer Rd] May I please have some information about this piece of land?

• Who owns it?
• How many people have owned this piece of land? Who are they?
• What were the plans for this piece of land in terms of development?

Response

The reporter was advised that the current owner has requested their details be kept confidential under the Local Government (Rating) Act.

The reporter was also provided information that was supplied to Rotorua Daily Post in October regarding subdivisions - 175 Fryer was included in the information provided stating that a resource consent has been granted for 17 lots.