9 February 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Mayoral spending
Enquiry
The reported requested the total of Mayor Chadwick's spending since being re-elected in October 2016 to the end of 2017.
Can this please be broken down into what the spending was for and how much.
Please include any vehicles the mayor has or is using, funded by ratepayer money.
Can I also get any spending by Dave Donaldson during his time as acting mayor over this period.
Response
The following information was provided:
All costs have been incurred as part of the mayor and deputy mayor's official council duties.
Council has a sensitive spending policy which applies to all elected members as well as staff and there is a travel policy for elected members, which in the case of international travel requires a business case to be prepared and submitted for the consideration and approval of the full Council as per the International Travel Policy for elected representatives. Income generated from council hosting of overseas delegations is used to subsidise international travel by elected officials.
Remuneration for elected members is set by the Remuneration Authority (RA). See the RA website for more information about remuneration for elected members.
The mayor's vehicle is part of her total remuneration package. The mayor's total remuneration, as determined by the RA, has not changed from the 2016/17 financial year: $132,069, which includes $3654 for vehicle (p147 of Annual Report for 2016/17 financial year).
Councils decide if a car is to be supplied for the mayor, taking into consideration what is most cost effective for council and ratepayers. If a vehicle is provided, salary is reduced to reflect private use.
Mayor - spending since October 2016:
Entertainment (eg coffee, meals) | $1047.35 | 15 transactions |
Conferences & meetings (including flights, accommodation & registration) | $2710.41 | 3 meetings in Wellington 1 conference (LGNZ, Auckland) |
Domestic travel (taxis make up 80%) | $1984.56 | 21 taxi transactions (including 1 in Rotorua) |
International travel costs | $5136.28 | For China trip approved by Council and funded through income generated from hosting of overseas delegations. This is used to subsidise travel by elected officials. |
Deputy Mayor - spending since October 2016:
Conferences & meetings | $1269.57 | 1 conference (LGNZ, Auckland) |
Domestic travel costs | $511.27 | Includes a return flight to Wellington |
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Telfer Young 2017 CDB Vacancy survey
Enquiry
The reporter sought comment from Council about the TelferYoung 2017 CBD Vacancy Survey and the 2017 Industrial Vacancy survey.
Response
CBD Vacancies:
District Revitalisation Portfolio lead Karen Hunt:
As a city we're really going from strength to strength. The more we do the more confident our business community is and the more vibrant Rotorua is as a place to live, visit and invest in. This is reflected by this very positive trend in the inner city.
A key objective in revitalising the CBD was strengthening the spine of our inner city, Tutanekai Street, through projects like intersection upgrades and Te Manawa so it's great to see the success of that reflected in these results.
While Council has led the 2030 vison, the community have been the team behind making these positive changes, including in the inner city, and supporting the work we're doing and our district's aspirations.
Some key projects have been completed - Te Manawa, Te Aka Mauri and intersection upgrades - and all of this keeps people coming back to the inner city again and again.
Industrial land:
Economic Development Portfolio Lead Dave Donaldson:
There are significant areas currently zoned industrial and the draft Spatial Plan has identified some potential new areas.
Council works with landowners to help them realise land aspirations, which could open up more industrial land and staff work through options with landowners, developers and businesses.
Our proximity to the Port of Tauranga and excellent connectivity generally makes Rotorua an attractive option for industry and available space is quickly being developed or redeveloped.
We're also starting to see some industrial changing to commercial development such as the motel development on Fairy Springs Road, Lynmore Junction and other sites. That's often beneficial in terms of reducing impact on urban areas.
