Agenda of Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee

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Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee

OPEN MINUTES

Minutes of a meeting of Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee held in the Mossburn Fire Station,, 45 Devon Street,, Mossburn on Monday, 21 March 2016 at 6.30pm.

present

Chairperson	Jim Guyton
Deputy Chairperson	Ged Newlands
	Lance Hellewell (arrived 6.15pm)
	Alister Macdonald (arrived 6.20pm)
	John MacKenzie
Councillor	Bruce Taylor John Douglas

IN ATTENDANCE

Committee Advisor	Rose Knowles
Community Engineer	Bruce Miller

PUBLIC GALLERY

Norma Boyle

Gerald Coghlan

Mark O’Kane

1 Apologies

There were no apologies received.

2 Leave of absence

There were no requests for leave of absence.

3 Conflict of Interest

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

4 Public Forum

Moved Member Newlands, seconded Member Mackenzie

and resolved that the subcommittee go into Public Forum to allow members of the public to speak.

G Coghlan and concerned citizens tabled correspondence regarding their concerns of the safety of pedestrians crossing the highway outside the Mossburn Diner towards the toilets and the nonexistence of a “School Warning Sign”.

Issues raised included;

· Speeding traffic in the 50k zone

· Congestion with the playground, toilets and diner in same area

· Large tourist buses parking on both sides of the highway

· Speed signs need moved out further to the edge of the township

· Vision blocked by buses coming out from Wreys Bush Road

· No school signs at intersection to the school

In responding to the issues raised the Community Engineer advised that all the concerns will be passed on to the Safety Engineer and NZTA, with a request for them to attend a CDA meeting to discuss the issues.

Moved Member Newlands, seconded Member Taylor

and resolved that the subcommittee moves out of Public Forum.

5 Extraordinary/Urgent Items

There were no Extraordinary/Urgent items.

6 Confirmation of Minutes

Resolution

Moved Member Taylor, seconded Member Mackenzie

That the minutes of Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee, meeting held on 16 November 2015. Be confirmed.

Reports

7.1

Works and Finance Report to Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee for the period ended 29 February 2016

Record No: R/16/3/3197

The Works and Finance Report prepared by the Community Engineer, Mr Bruce Miller for the period ending 29 February 2016, was tabled.

Issues reported to the subcommittee included;

The contractor will install a sump at the transport corner once the power transformer unit in Lumsden has been upgraded enabling the power system to be closed off to complete the project.
Southroads have completed the footpath along the fence at the Recreation Grounds and tidied up with a rock garden at the end of the footpath.
The skip at the toilets over the Christmas period has been a success.
The Information Kiosk will be upgraded as a joint project with Lions, CDA and Venture Southland.
Large trucks leaving the Farmlands building and damaging the road are being investigated and a discussion to be had with Transit re changing the exit.
Anzac Flags will be installed by the Mossburn Fire Brigade.
Greenwaste issues have been addressed.

Recommendation

That the Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee:

a) Receives the report titled “Works and Finance Report to Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee for the period ended 29 February 2016” dated 14 March 2016.

8.0 Updates

8.1 Chairperson’s Report

The Chairman, Jim Guyton, reported on matters with which he has been involved since the subcommittee’s last meeting which included;

· Cluster meeting in Lumsden

· Township mowing issues

· Public toilet issues

· TB free spraying around the Cemetery

· Upgrade of the Mossburn Kiosk and funding options with Venture Southland.

Moved Member Mackenzie, seconded Member Hellewell

and resolved that the Mossburn Community Development Subcommittee apply for funding from Community Trust of Southland, Community Initiatives fund and Meridian White Hill Fund to assist with development of the upgrade of the Kiosk.

8.2 Committee Reports

Community Centre

Member Taylor advised that the leaking pipes have been repaired and the lighting project completed.

Cemetery

Chairman Guyton advised that he has requested a no dogs sign from Dog Control and that the cemetery requires a new water tank.

Moved Member Newlands, seconded Member Taylor

and resolved that Chairman Guyton in conjunction with the subcommitteee member purchase and install a new water tank.

8.3 Councillor’s Report

Councillor Douglas reported on matters from the District Council table. These included;

· Biodiversity Issues

· Tourist numbers

· Euromagnetic Survey

· Council elections

· Cycle trail update

The meeting concluded at

8.30pm. CONFIRMED AS A TRUE AND CORRECT RECORD AT A MEETING OF THE Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee HELD ON 21 MARCH 2016

DATE:...................................................................

CHAIRPERSON:...................................................

Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee

25 July 2016

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Elected Members' Expense Reimbursements and Allowances

Record No: R/16/7/10223

Author: Sheree Marrah, Finance Manager

Approved by: Anne Robson, Chief Financial Officer

☐ Decision ☐ Recommendation ☒ Information

Purpose

1 The purpose of this report is to inform Community Boards and Community Development Area Subcommittees of the recent changes to Council’s Elected Members’ Remuneration and Reimbursements Policy and the associated impact on them. The revised policy amendments were adopted by Council on 8 June 2016 and are effective from 1 July 2016.

Executive Summary

2 The Remuneration Authority (RA) sets the framework for the remuneration and reimbursement of local government elected members, namely the Mayor, Councillors and Community Board members. Council recently reviewed its Elected Members’ Remuneration and Reimbursements Policy as a result of some minor changes required by the RA to mileage and travel time allowances.

3 In undertaking the review, Council staff recommended a number of additional amendments to the policy to allow reimbursement of expenses and the payment of allowances to Community Board members and Council Subcommittee members.

4 The revised policy includes the provision of mileage and travel time allowances as well as expenditure reimbursements for Community Board and Subcommittee members, in line with Councillors.

Background

5 The RA sets the framework for the remuneration and reimbursement of local government elected members, namely the Mayor, Councillors and Community Board members. The RA sets the maximum level of expenses and allowances available to elected members. Council’s policy is required to be in alignment with the maximum levels set by the RA.

6 The previous Council policy mistakenly excluded Community Board members from receiving allowances. As Council had no other formal policy on reimbursement and allowances for Council Subcommittee members, it was recommended that Subcommittees also be included in this policy.

7 The specific provisions relevant to Community Boards and Council Subcommittees incorporated into the revised policy are as follows:

· Mileage allowance, can be claimed in line with Councillors, where travel exceeds 30 kilometres within a day. The mileage allowance will be paid to elected members at a rate of 74 cents per kilometre (consistent with the IRD rates) for the first 5,000 kilometres. The rate for travel in excess of 5,000 kilometres will remain at 37 cents per kilometre. The 30 kilometre round trip threshold (ie, 15 kilometres each way) applies to visits to Council offices (or other regular meeting venues deemed to be a Council office for the purpose of this policy). For other Council requested travel by elected members, no threshold will apply.

· Travel time allowance, can be claimed in line with Councillors, at a rate of $37.50 per hour, where travel time exceeds 1 hour within a day.

· The policy states that where Community Board or Subcommittee meetings are held at a regular venue other than a Council office, this location will be deemed to be a Council office for the purposes of mileage and travel time allowances.

· Reimbursement for costs can be claimed for courses, seminars and training associated with the role of an elected member. Associated travel and accommodation costs may also be reimbursed if in accordance with the policy.

· Community Board and Council Subcommittee members will not be eligible to claim the communication allowance stated in the policy.

8 In order to claim an allowance a claim form will need to be completed by the elected member (see sample claim forms attached). For reimbursements a claim form will need to be completed and supporting invoices/receipts attached. Completed forms will be submitted to the relevant Committee Advisor to arrange for approval and payment.

Funding

9 Although the revised change in mileage and travel time allowances for Community Board and Council Subcommittee members has not specifically been budgeted for in 2016/2017, it is anticipated that this will not be a significant cost to the communities as the majority of elected members live within 15 kilometres of their nearest Council office and travel less than one hour to attend meetings.

10 Payment of allowances and reimbursements will be funded from local operating budgets of the relevant Community Board or sub-committee.

Policy

11 A copy of the revised policy, effective from 1 July 2016, is included as attachment A to this report.

Recommendation

That the Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee:

a) Receives the report titled “Elected Members' Expense Reimbursements and Allowances” dated 18 July 2016.

Attachments

a FINAL Elected Members' Remuneration and Reimbursements Policy (effective 1 July 2016) View

b Elected Member Allowance Claim Form View

c Elected Member Expense Reimbursement Claim Form View

Mossburn Community Development Area Subcommittee

25 July 2016

POLICY: ELECTED MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND REIMBURSEMENTS POLICY

GROUP RESPONSIBLE: Financial Services

DATE APPROVED: 25/6/08, 26/5/10, 26/1/11, 6/4/11, 29/6/11, 9/10/13, 16/4/14, 8/6/16

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1 July 2016

FILE NO: 10/4/3/1, 18/1/6/4, 240/10/7/8, 240/10/1/5, 240/10/1/6

140/20/1/4, 240/10/7/8, R/16/5/7922

POLICY DETAIL:

1.0 SCOPE

1.1 This policy provides the framework for:

(a) Remuneration of the Mayor and Councillors;

(b) Expenditure reimbursement and allowances for the Mayor and Councillors;

(d) Expenditure reimbursement and mileage and travel time allowances for Community Board members;

(e) Expenditure reimbursement and mileage and travel time allowances for the elected members of Council subcommittees.

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 Remuneration for the Mayor, Councillors and Community Board members, and also the rules relating to allowances and expenses are determined by the Remuneration Authority and reviewed on an annual basis. Southland District Council is required to respond to the authority regarding remuneration and its policy for allowances and expenses.

2.2 The attached schedule (Appendix A) outlines the dollar amounts which will be paid. This schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect the most recent determination and advice of the Remuneration Authority including inflation adjustments.

2.3 The Elected Members’ Remuneration and Reimbursements Policy is intended to reflect the relevant period’s Local Government Elected Members Determination.
If inconsistencies arise between this policy and the determination in regards to remuneration and allowance rates, Council will make payments to elected members in accordance with the relevant Local Government Elected Members’ Determination.

3.0 DEFINITIONS

Actual means as evidenced by the original receipt attached to the claim form.

Council shall mean the 13 elected members that form the governing body (Council) of the Southland District Council.

Chair shall mean the individual appointed the role of chairperson by formal resolution in the case of Council committees or elected to this role in the case of
community boards.

Chief Executive shall mean the Chief Executive of Southland District Council.

Community Board Member shall mean any elected member of the eight community boards throughout the Southland District. These are: Edendale-Wyndham, Otautau, Riverton/Aparima, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Te Anau, Tuatapere, Wallacetown and Winton.

Subcommittee Member shall mean any elected member of a Council appointed subcommittee, including but not limited to the 9 Community Development Area (CDA) subcommittees throughout the Southland District. The CDAs are: Athol, Balfour, Browns, Centre Bush/Limehills, Colac Bay, Dipton, Garston, Gorge Road, Lumsden, Manapouri, Mossburn, Nightcaps, Ohai, Orepuki, Riversdale, Thornbury, Tokanui, Waikaia, Woodlands.

Council Business includes formal Council and community board meetings, committee meetings, workshops, seminars, statutory hearings, training courses, site visits and where required or invited by Council, meetings with staff, meetings with community groups or meetings with members of the public. It does not include events where the primary focus is on social activity.

Councillor shall mean any of the 12 elected members of Council, including the Deputy Mayor, but excluding the Mayor.

Council office shall mean any of the seven Council offices throughout the Southland District. These are: Invercargill, Wyndham, Riverton, Stewart Island, Te Anau, Otautau and Winton. Where Community Board or subcommittee meetings are held at a regular venue other than a Council office, this location will be deemed to be a Council office for the purposes of this policy.

Elected member shall mean any of the Councillors, Community Board members, Community Development Area subcommittee members or other Council appointed subcommittee members.

Expenses means actual and reasonable expenses including but not limited to; accommodation, rental car, air travel, taxis, meals and refreshments, entertainment (hospitality), parking, sundry vehicle costs, alternative travel options and other such costs directly related to the business of Southland District Council.

Mayor shall mean the Mayor of Southland District Council.

Reasonable means that it is within the amount specified by this policy or as deemed reasonable by the Mayor and/or Chief Executive.

Remuneration Authority is an independent body established by the Remuneration Authority Act 1977, with responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2002 to determine remuneration and expense/allowance rules for local authority members.

Southland District Council means the organisation established to administer Council affairs, conduct operations and bring effect to Council policy and strategies.

Travel includes journeys made by air and sea, travel by taxi and travel by hire vehicle or private vehicle.

Travel arrangements include accommodation, travel and seminar registration.

4.0 REMUNERATION

4.1 Mayor and Councillors

4.1.1 The Mayor shall receive the full salary allowable by the determination of the Remuneration Authority, outlined in Appendix A.

4.1.2 In addition to the base salary, Councillors can receive extra remuneration for:

(a) Positions of additional responsibility (including Deputy Mayor and Chair of various committees) and/or

(b) Taking on significantly extra duties during the District Plan process.

Additional remuneration will be made at the rates outlined below, which have been approved by the Remuneration Authority.

Role	Additional amount
Deputy Mayor	+ 40% of a base councillor salary
Policy Review Committee chair	+ 20% of a base councillor salary
Venture Southland director	+ 15% of a base councillor salary
Activities Performance Audit Committee chair	+ 25% of a base councillor salary

4.1.3 In addition, 50% of a base councillor salary will be retained for allocation to members of the Resource Management Committee for District Plan review. This will be payable to all members of the Resource Management Committee at the rate of $100 per day for District Plan review meetings.

4.2 Community Board Members

4.2.1 Remuneration for Community Board members and chairs will be made at the full allowable rate determined by the Remuneration Authority, outlined in Appendix A.

4.3 Subcommittee Members

4.3.1 No remuneration is payable to those appointed to subcommittees of Council.

5.0 EXPENDITURE REIMBURSEMENTS

5.1 Elected members will perform their roles in a manner that is most cost-effective for households and businesses. Costs for expenses must have a justifiable business purpose, be moderate and conservative having regard to the circumstances, and be appropriate in all respects.

5.2 Where possible, reimbursements will be based on actual incurred costs. Where an allowance is made, this will be based on a fair and reasonable estimate consistent with the guidelines of the Remuneration Authority.

5.3 If applicable, where reimbursements are claimed it must be specified whether amounts are GST exclusive or GST inclusive.

5.4 All actual reimbursements will be submitted on the appropriate form and supported by relevant invoices and/or documentation.

5.5 Expense claims will be approved as follows

Claim by the:	Approved by
Mayor	The Chair of the Activities Performance Audit Committee
Deputy Mayor	The Mayor
Councillors	The Mayor or Deputy Mayor

5.6 Expense claims for Community Board and Subcommittee members will be approved by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Chair of the Activities Performance Audit Committee.

5.7 No costs will be reimbursed where they are chargeable to others, including private companies.

5.8 Expenses for electioneering will not be reimbursed.

6.0 MILEAGE ALLOWANCE

6.1 The Mayor will be provided with a vehicle that will also be available for his/her private use. A deduction will be made from his/her salary as determined by the Remuneration Authority. The Mayor will not be able to claim for vehicle mileage.

6.2 A mileage claim can be made where an elected member has been required or invited by Council to a meeting on Council business and is travelling in his/her own vehicle and is taking the most direct route reasonable in the circumstances.

6.3 Where possible every effort should be made to share transport and reduce costs.

6.4 Mileage claims are based on travel from the elected member’s normal residence to the meeting place.

6.5 In accordance with the Remuneration Authority’s determination mileage allowance will be paid as follows:

(a) For travel to any Council office, mileage allowance will be paid for kilometres travelled beyond 15 km each way (ie, a 30 km round trip). This distance is calculated from the elected member’s place of residence to the Council office.

(b) For all other Council related travel, mileage allowance will be paid for the total kilometres travelled from the elected member’s place of residence.

6.6 For travel to any Council office where distance does not exceed 15 km each way (ie, a 30 km round trip), no mileage allowance will be paid.

6.7 The mileage rate will be paid at the full rate determined by the Remuneration Authority, outlined in Appendix A.

7.0 TRAVEL TIME ALLOWANCE

7.1 Travel time will be paid to all elected members at the full allowable rate in accordance with the conditions outlined in the determination of the Remuneration Authority, outlined in Appendix A.

7.2 In accordance with the Remuneration Authority’s determination this allowance will only be paid where travel time exceeds 1 hour within a day.

7.3 In accordance with the Remuneration Authority’s determination, payment of travel time allowance will not be paid for positions which are considered to be full time. Therefore, travel time allowance will not be paid to the Mayor.

8.0 COMMUNICATIONS ALLOWANCE

8.1 An allowance will be paid to Councillors where they supply their own hardware for use in Council business. No allowance is payable in respect of items provided by Southland District Council.

8.2 The allowance for communications and technology will be paid at the full allowable rate determined by the Remuneration Authority, outlined in Appendix A. The Mayor shall be provided with a mobile phone, laptop or tablet and accessories, and a broadband connection in lieu of the allowance.

8.3 No communications allowance is payable to Community Board members and members of Council subcommittees.

9.0 CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND TRAINING

9.1 Conferences, courses, seminars or training events must contribute to the elected members’ ability to carry out council business.

9.2 All elected members are entitled to payment of actual and reasonable registration, travel, accommodation, meal and related incidental expenses (including travel insurance) incurred in attendance at conferences, courses, seminars or training events, held both within New Zealand and overseas, subject to:

(a) Related expenditure being accommodated within existing budgets, and

(b) The appropriate approvals as outlined in this policy.

9.3 In respect of the Mayor, prior approval of the Deputy Mayor or Chair of Activities Performance Audit Committee is required for travel within New Zealand for Council business; attendance at conferences, courses, training events, seminars or other purposes associated with the position of Mayor.

9.4 In respect of Councillors; attendance at these events when held in New Zealand must be approved by the Mayor and either the Deputy Mayor or Chair of Activities Performance Audit Committee.

9.5 In respect of Community Board and Community Development Area Subcommittee members; attendance at these events when held in New Zealand, prior approval must be obtained from the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Chair of Activities Performance Audit Committee.

9.6 Attendance at conferences, courses, seminars or training events held overseas must be approved by the Council.

10.0 TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

10.1 Where possible all travel arrangements will be made through the Executive Assistant to the Mayor.

10.2 Where possible costs will be charged to Council; otherwise all fair and reasonable costs will be reimbursed.

10.3 Travel will be arranged in a manner that represents public value in consideration of location, timing and cost. As appropriate, Council may choose to arrange air travel, travel by hire vehicle, travel by sea, travel by taxi or travel by bus.

10.4 Taxi chits issued for travel to approved meetings or conferences will be used only for business purposes of Council. Where a taxi chit has been obtained for purposes other than travel to approved meetings and conferences, any claim must be accompanied by appropriate documentation and reasons for the claim.

10.5 Unless otherwise approved, all international air travel will be economy class. Stopovers during international air travel will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

10.6 Frequent flyer points earned by elected members on Council business may be used for private travel.

10.7 Due to the significant amount of air travel undertaken by the Mayor, Council will pay for membership of an Airline Club (such as the Koru Club).

10.8 Private accommodation may be used on occasions where it is considered appropriate and is approved by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Chair of Activities Performance Audit Committee. If private accommodation is used, reimbursement will be fair and reasonable and will not exceed the cost of obtaining accommodation or meals from another source such as a motel or hotel.

10.9 Where Council approves the attendance of the spouse/partner of the Mayor or any Councillor at conferences or meetings, fair and reasonable actual costs will be reimbursed.

APPENDIX A

SCHEDULE OF REMUNERATION AND REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNTS

Remuneration of the Mayor and Councillors

Mayor $104,301^{^[1]}

Deputy Mayor $36,019

Policy Review Committee Chair $30,874

Venture Southland Director $29,587

Activities Performance Audit Committee Chair $32,160

Councillor $25,728

Available to Resource Management Committee during the District Plan, 50% of a Councillor salary, paid $100 per day.

Expenditure Reimbursement for the Mayor and Councillors

Mileage Rate (first 5,000 km per annum) 0.74 per km

Mileage Rate (above 5,000 km per annum) 0.37 per km

Personal Computer $150 per annum

Electronic Tablet $150 per annum

Printer $40 per annum

Telephone $60 per annum

Internet Connection (maximum) $250 per annum

Telephone/Mobile Phone Calls (maximum) $400 per annum

Salary of Community Boards

	Chairperson	Member
Edendale/Wyndham Community Board	$4,510	$2,255
Otautau Community Board	$7,175	$3,588
Riverton/Aparima Community Board	$6,355	$3,178
Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board	$2,665	$1,333
Te Anau Community Board	$10,250	$5,125
Tuatapere Community Board	$4,305	$2,153
Wallacetown Community Board	$2,665	$1,333
Winton Community Board	$8,815	$4,408

Travel time allowance is paid at a rate of $37.50 per hour for travel that exceeds one hour per day. Travel time is payable to elected members who are not considered to be full time and is only payable for travel relating to Southland District Council business. Travel time allowance is payable in respect of the quickest form of transport reasonable in the circumstances.

[1] Before adjustment for private use of motor vehicle of $4,247.

Activity	Project Name	Type	Year	Budget	Status	Officer Comments
Water Supply	Metering - District Metered Areas	LOS	15/16	$13,500	Completed.	Completed