This week’s contribution comes from China thanks to help from one of my travelling colleagues who can type but wishes to remain anonymous.  Thanks Andrew… The purpose of the trip is to explore new business opportunities, retain and enhance existing business, and maintain cooperation and contacts with the movers and shakers of China’s business circles. In my opinion, China is number one in business in the world, More...

Mike Baker also asked for consideration for mobility scooters along the route. The route will generally follow the Papamoa stormwater drain and although parts of it are already there, it will cost about $2 million for an asphalt surface. Imagine this: it’s also to encourage kids to ride bikes to school. What a novel idea, or hang on, isn’t that what used to happen? The more things change the more they stay the same. Staff More...

Tauranga City Council chief executive Stephen Town has resigned and will take up the position of regional director for Auckland/Northland for NZ Transport Agency. This is a further step up Stephen’s career ladder. He had always indicated that he would not be seeking a renewal of his second term contract with council which was set up to finish mid 2011. With the super city reorganisation opening up opportunities across many sectors, More...

Quite a lively projects and services committee meeting this week as some elected members tried to make mountains out of molehills. A proposed Arataki Community Centre design and build concept came in for concern and comment. Rick Curach expressed concern that council could have lost control over the project by virtue of the fact that there would be no political input into the design. Council has gone to consultation with user groups, More...

At monitoring committee this week, elected members had an update from council’s finance controller after 11 months of the financial year. He told us finances are under control, as they should be with the effort that has gone into the financial systems. Contracts let this year through council tender systems are some $9 million under council estimates. Contrary to headlines in the media this is not a saving. It’s money not spent More...

The significance of the upcoming business delegation to China was highlighted when Prime Minister John Key attended a briefing of delegates last week. The PM met delegates individually and briefly discussed mission plans with each of them. Like it or not, Asia, and China in particular, are playing an increasing importance to the NZ economy and having being one of the first countries’s to befriend China, we need to pursue business and More...

At strategy and policy committee, elected members considered a submission to central government on Minister Rodney Hide’s proposed amendment to the Local Government Act 2002. This Act is the mechanism government uses to control councils. Contrary to some opinion, in some quarters about 95 per cent of what councils do is prescribed by central government – that is council is required by law to do most of what it does. As I’ve More...

Tauranga city rates revenue take will increase by 9.9 per cent next year. After allowing one per cent for growth anticipated, this will mean about 8.9 per cent for ratepayers. Plus an extra 2.5 per cent GST for the second instalment rates in February. Council cut out about $600,000 in the deliberations, of which $500,000 I reported on last week was for proposed funding for leaky homes. This increase is just another nail in the coffin of how More...

Council wound up its deliberations on this year’s annual plan (for 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011) in just two days. With only one contentious item emerging (a public toilet at The Lakes – more on that later) this year’s annual plan process was far and away the best yet. This was because the lolly scramble for ratepayer’s money of yesteryear has been stopped as staff administer the plan in a professional manner. Years More...

At monitoring committee, elected members heard a presentation from Acorn Foundation. This is an independent charitable organisation where public spirited citizens leave all, or part of their estates to Acorn. They already have $4 million in hand and have given away to charity over $200,000 this year. If this sounds like you, give them a ring. It does make a difference to our community. Surf Life Saving New Zealand, which ratepayers fund to More...