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COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
9 APRIL 1996
A meeting of the Community Services Committee
was held on Tuesday 9 April 1996 at 3.00 p.m.
PRESENT: Councillor Garry Moore (Chairperson),
Councillors Carole Anderton, Graham Condon,
David Cox, Anna Crighton, Ishwar Ganda,
Pat Harrow, Lesley Keast, Gail Sheriff
and Barbara Stewart. IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor David Close arrived at 3.30 p.m.,
retired at 4.00 p.m. and was present for
clauses 1, 6 and 8.1.
APOLOGY: The Mayor. Councillor Anna Crighton retired at 5.20 p.m.
and was absent for clause 10. Councillor Lesley Keast arrived at 3.20 p.m.
and was present for part of clause 4 and all
other remaining clauses. The Committee reports that: PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING A COUNCIL DECISION
1. INCREASE IN REGISTRATION FEES RR 2612
FOR INCORPORATED SOCIETIES
Officer Responsible Author Leisure and Community Services Sally Latham Manager Corporate Plan Output: Advice on Community Issues, page 8.4 text 14
The purpose of this report is to inform the Council about an issue that will impact on new community groups. INTRODUCTION
The Ministry of Commerce recently announced new charges for groups to register as incorporated societies. Many voluntary, not for profit community groups choose this type of legal status when setting up. Incorporation provides a group with legal status, which is usually necessary to access public funding, as well as providing individual members with legal protection. The new charge may make it financially prohibitive for new groups to register as incorporated societies. Along with these increased charges, the Ministry has announced that most fees for private companies will decrease, to the extent that it will be twice as expensive to register an incorporated society as a private company. All registrations are done through the Companies Office.
1 Cont'd
Community organisations such as the Christchurch Community Law Centre and the New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations (NZFVWO) have spoken out against the new charges, and asked the Government to review them. DETAILS OF CHANGES
The following charges will apply as of 1 April 1996: New Current
Incorporated Society registration $200 $22
Company registration $100 $300
(Most other charges for companies have also decreased.) REASONS FOR CHANGES
The Companies Office has advised that the charges are a move to "user pays" and cost recovery. The new fees are based on the results of a unit cost analysis of office transactions, conducted last year by Price Waterhouse. In fact it is claimed that the new fee for incorporated societies doesn't fully recover the cost in terms of administration time. The reduced charges for companies also reflect an attempt to encourage private enterprise by reducing business compliance costs. ISSUES AND POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS
* It is unfair to apply the same user pays philosophy to not for profit voluntary groups as to profit making businesses. Government is increasingly leaving the provision of some social services which it used to provide, to voluntary organisations. This being the case, Government should encourage and support voluntary community involvement. The increased registration charge will be a disincentive to the establishment of new community groups. * Volunteers are already paying for their voluntary work through the donation of time and out of pocket expenses like transport. Charging volunteers $200 to set up as an incorporated society may make it unaffordable for people to initiate new community responses to social and community needs. * The NZFVWO and the Community Law Centre are recommending that new groups register as charitable trusts, rather than as incorporated societies, in order to avoid the new charge. (There is no charge currently for registering as a trust.) However, the Companies Office has advised that for some groups, this will not be an option because they will not meet the legal criteria for charitable trusts. * Community groups usually need to have some form of legal status before they can apply for funding, especially from government sources. If groups cannot afford to become incorporated societies because of the new charge, they will also be prevented from applying to a number of funding sources.
1 Cont'd
* The Ministry of Commerce did not consult with the community when setting these charges. Nor has it released details about the findings of the unit cost analysis on which the new charges are based. Some groups claim that the analysis is flawed, and question why it takes more than twice as long to register an incorporated society as a company. The Christchurch Community Law Centre claims that the analysis was done at the Auckland Companies Office, and that an analysis of the Christchurch office, for example, would yield a lower cost. This is because that office refers a large number of groups to the Community Law Centre for assistance with incorporated society applications, thus reducing their own administration time. * If new groups choose not to become incorporated societies (or to adopt any other form of legal status) because the new charge is too prohibitive, then individual members of the group may be left without any legal protection in terms of the group's activities. Recommendation: That the Council write to the Minister of Commerce requesting that the new charge for registration of incorporated societies be decreased to the same new charge as for companies, so as to encourage and support new voluntary community groups. (Note: It was agreed a further report be provided to the May meeting of the Committee on the costs associated with arranging for seminars for community groups on other options for gaining legal status.)
2. REVIEW OF HOUSING NEEDS FOR CHRISTCHURCH RR 2597
Officer Responsible Author Property Manager Dave Hinman Corporate Plan Output: Housing - 8.7 text 2
The purpose of this report is to review the outcome of discussions on housing at the March seminar meeting of the Committee and to suggest a timetable and terms of reference for a proposed housing study. BACKGROUND
The Council has, over many years, been involved in housing in a number of ways. As a planning authority, it has established objectives, policies and rules which recognise and provide for residential areas in the city, where (usually) other parties will undertake residential development. The Council is also a service provider with 2,174 elderly persons' housing units. This is approximately one-third of the housing stock currently rented to people 60+, and the Council is second only to Housing New Zealand in this area. The Council also owns and administers 387 public rental housing units and 30 other rental housing units. Most of the public rental housing complexes evolved at a time when the Council had an active role in urban
2 Cont'd renewal, ie replacement of sub-standard dwellings with new development. Changes in Government policy, in particular cessation of subsidy, has meant that the Council role in urban renewal today is primarily focussed on the improvement of public spaces in identified areas so as to encourage private investment. There have been significant changes in Central Government involvement in housing, firstly with the withdrawal for support for urban renewal projects, and then with the recent move to market rents, accommodation supplements and the removal of subsidy or low cost finance from local authority and other housing provision schemes, including EPH. Studies in 1993 recommended how the Council should respond to those changes. The Council's current overall objective for housing, as stated in the 1995/96 Annual Plan, is "to provide a personal welfare and contribute to the community's social wellbeing by ensuring safe, accessible and affordable housing is available to elderly persons, people with disabilities and people on modest incomes".
This is to give effect to strategic objectives identified in the Annual Plan under A (The City's People): A9 The provision of access to quality, affordable housing appropriate to the needs of present and future households.
A6 Ensuring that sufficient resources are available from appropriate sources, through social assistance if necessary, to enable residents to provide for their basic, individual and family wellbeing.
The Council's housing activity is operationally self-funding, without subsidy from general rates. The Council has a "Housing Development Fund" which currently has a balance of approximately $5.5M built up from operational surpluses accrued from the Council's housing portfolio. While this fund was set up as the equivalent of a sinking fund for the refurbishment and replacement of an ageing stock, restricting it to this use has been questioned. The use for some of these funds to assist in the provision of additional public rental housing, urban renewal and other housing initiatives has been suggested. At the recent seminar meeting of the Committee, the need for both short-term and long-term action in respect of Council housing initiatives was identified. Members took the view that the Council should continue in its current role as a major service provider in both the EPH and public rental housing area. While short-term issues requiring resolution would be addressed by separate reports from time to time to the Committee, there is also a need to look ahead and to find ways to reinforce and give effect to Strategic Objective A9 (access to affordable housing). This report considers how to progress the longer term view. 2 Cont'd THE PROPOSED STUDY
It is proposed to undertake a study, focusing on the adequacy or otherwise of affordable housing in Christchurch. Further to the seminar discussion, and following consultation with relevant Council officers, the following is a suggested outline terms of reference and timetable of work. 1. That the Council undertake a study with the objective of determining the adequacy or otherwise of access to quality, affordable housing appropriate to the needs of present and future households in Christchurch. 2. That areas of study include: (a) A description of housing provision at present, identifying any problems currently being experienced by those with housing needs. If there is a gap in the provision of housing, is it an affordability or infrastructural gap? (b) A prediction of future needs of affordable housing through to the year 2010 and beyond. (c) A review of past, present and likely or possible future roles of the Council compared to other agencies. (d) A review of the past, present and likely or possible future roles of other agencies providing housing. (e) Recommendations on actions required by the Council to ensure the meeting of the above objective, including an assessment of the financial implications. (f) The preparation of recommendations to Government and other service providers on how to better provide for housing in the years ahead. (g) The likely impact of Government policies, especially health authorities, on housing in Christchurch. 3. That the study proceed during April, May and June, with a report back to the July meeting of the Committee. 4. That an officer project team undertake the work in liaison with a subcommittee of the Community Services Committee which shall consider submissions from such parties as is considered appropriate. Recommendation: 1. That the above objective, terms of reference and timetable be adopted and that Councillors Garry Moore, Lesley Keast, Carole Anderton, Graham Condon and Barbara Stewart be appointed to the subcommittee. 2 Cont'd 2. That the report provide recommendations to the Council for housing development and management over the next three years, with particular reference to the balance between elderly persons' housing, public rental, urban renewal and other needs.
3. PENSIONER HOUSING PROVIDED BY RR 2585 TERRITORIAL AUTHORITIES
Officer Responsible Author Property Manager Rob Dally Corporate Plan Output: Housing - 8.7 text 2
The purpose of this report is to advise Councillors of the results from a Central Government survey of local authority pensioner housing carried out in 1995. The official report entitled "Pensioner Housing Provided by Territorial Authorities" has been circulated to all Committee members. The following is a synopsis of that report. BACKGROUND
The survey - "Provision of Pensioner Housing by Local Authorities" arose out of concern by the Advisory Council for Senior Citizens that some Territorial Authorities were withdrawing from the provision of pensioner housing and that a number of Territorial Authorities were planning to sell down. Although pensioner housing is discretionary, all City and District Councils provide this housing. As at 22 June 1995 some $461 million was invested in 13,859 local authority pensioner housing units. Pensioner housing is a significant activity of local government. Local authority pensioner housing is also a significant proportion, 5 percent, of the national rental housing stock. It is a very much higher percentage of housing for the elderly. Trends in local authority pensioner housing are important for central government policies concerned with local government, housing and the welfare of our older population. The results of the survey show that the majority of territorial authorities were not considering selling their pensioner housing units. For those territorial authorities who were contemplating selling their units, as at 22 June 1995, only 1.8 percent of the total units held were being considered for possible sale. 3 Cont'd SUMMARY OF SURVEY RESULTS
1. Ownership and Number of Pensioner Units Held * All territorial authorities own some pensioner housing units. * The total number of units owned by territorial authorities as at 22 June 1995 is 13,859. * The Christchurch City Council own 2,127 units, the largest holding of any local authority.
2. Previous Sales of Pensioner Units * Seven territorial authorities had sold a total of 60 pensioner housing units in the last five years. This represents 0.4 percent of total pensioner housing units held by territorial authorities. 3. Weekly Rentals * Weekly rentals varied according to a number of factors including the number of bedrooms in each unit. * The highest weekly rental charged is $150 and the lowest is $17. * The Christchurch City Council rentals range from $40 to $90 per week.
4. Review of Rentals * Seventy-one territorial authorities had set their pensioner rentals between 1991 and 1995. * Fifty-eight territorial authorities advised that their rentals would next be reviewed between 1995 and 1997. * Thirteen territorial authorities did not know when their rentals would next be reviewed. * Christchurch rentals were last set in July 1993 and are due to be reviewed in July 1996.
5. Estimated Value of Pensioner Housing Stock * For the 70 territorial authorities who responded to this question the total estimated value of the pensioner housing stock held was $461 million, as at 22 June 1995. * The estimated market value of the Christchurch E.P.H. stock is the highest in New Zealand at $82.388 million.
3 Cont'd 6. Market Rental Values * Estimated weekly market rental values for pensioner housing units ranged from $39 to $200 according to the number of bedrooms in each unit. * Estimated weekly market rental values for the Christchurch E.P.H. stock $80 to $145.
7. Debt Position * Ninety-six percent of the territorial authorities that responded to this question had debt which was less than 50 percent of the value of their units or no debt at all. * Christchurch E.P.H. debt is less than 50 percent of the value of the stock.
8. Management of Pensioner Housing Stock * All but one territorial authority managed their pensioner housing units themselves. * Christchurch City Council manages its E.P.H. stock internally.
9. Funding of Pensioner Housing Stock * Fifty territorial authorities had pensioner housing units that were self-funding, while 22 territorial authorities subsidised their pensioner housing units with rates or other income. * The Christchurch City Council E.P.H. portfolio is operationally self funding.
10. Recent Changes in the Number of Pensioner Housing Units * Only two territorial authorities had reduced the number of pensioner housing units in the last two years. * Thirteen territorial authorities are now using some of their pensioner housing units for other tenants. * The Christchurch City Council has not reduced the number of E.P.H. units and is using a small number of units for other tenants.
11. Future Plans * Eight territorial authorities indicated that they were reviewing their policies on pensioner housing. * Fifty-one territorial authorities indicated that they were proposing no change to their present policy on pensioner housing.
3 Cont'd * Eight territorial authorities indicated that they may sell some pensioner housing units. * The number of pensioner housing units that could probably be sold as indicated by the territorial authorities was 248 or 1.8 percent of the total number of units held. * Ten territorial authorities are proposing to increase their pensioner housing rentals to market rentals. * The Christchurch City Council's response to the survey advised:
(a) no change to existing E.P.H. policy.
(b) No future sale of E.P.H. units.
Recommendation: That the Christchurch City Council reconfirm its commitment to retaining its Elderly Persons' Housing stock.
4. CHRISTCHURCH-GANSU FRIENDLY RELATIONS RR 2601 COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 1995
Officer Responsible Author Communications and Promotions Manager Julie Battersby Corporate Plan Output: Volume II, page 7.5.5 Sister Cities[[exclamdown]]
The purpose of this report is to inform the Council of the activities of the Gansu Friendly Relations Committee during the last 12 months and is for information of members. This is an Annual Report and has been prepared by the Chairman of the Christchurch-Gansu Friendly Relations Committee and was approved by that Committee at its meeting on 27 February 1996. "After a very busy year in 1994 marking the tenth anniversary of the special link between Christchurch and Gansu, 1995 was a much quieter year for the Committee. Its major work was preparation for the 1997 celebration of Rewi Alley's Centennial and the hosting of an interpreter from Gansu, Mr Sun Hongan, who spent six months in Christchurch.
1. COMMITTEE
In 1995 the Committee comprised twenty four citizens of Christchurch including three City Councillors. Alex Clark, Lesley Keast and Denis O'Rourke and a Canterbury Regional Councillor, Peter Dunbar. Sir Hamish Hay continued as Patron of the Committee because of his major contributions to the link over the years. The other officers were Professor Bill Willmott (Chair), Mr Eric Livingstone (Deputy Chair), Mr Bill Studholme (Treasurer) and Ms Barbara Nolan (CCC staff as Secretary).
4 Cont'd The Committee met five times in 1995 with an average attendance of eleven members including the Secretary.
Because Professor Willmott's term has been completed the Committee has nominated Mr Eric Livingstone as its Chair for the next three years in line with the City Council's guidelines for sister city committees.
2. INTERPRETER'S VISIT
As with the two previous visits by interpreters, the Committee issued an invitation in conjunction with the Christchurch Branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society for the Gansu Sister City Committee to send an interpreter to Christchurch for six months this year. The original invitation was for a term beginning 1 July 1996, but following prolonged correspondence with our counterpart agency in Gansu, Mr Sun Hongan arrived in Christchurch in late August. A small committee representing both hosts was established to look after the programme and home hosting. This committee met several times before and during Mr Sun's stay.
Because the programme extended over the summer months, Mr Sun's formal classes comprised only three months of the visit, the remainder involving visits to various institutions and locations around the South Island and a trip to Wellington. In all, Mr Sun enjoyed fifteen home stays including urban homes in Christchurch, Nelson and Wellington, a student flat in Dunedin, a working farm stay near Cromwell, a beach holiday at Kaiteriteri and a motel in Kaikoura.
This turned out to be a thoroughly satisfactory programme, with plenty of opportunity to learn spoken English, but the fact that it extended over the entire summer made the work of the committee somewhat more difficult. We owe thanks to all the people who generously gave of their time and hospitality including the committee members, the home hosts and the many people who provided outings and transportation.
3. REWI ALLEY CENTENNIAL 1997
Early in the year the Committee turned its attention to planning events for the celebration of Rewi Alley's 100th Anniversary in 1997. A subcommittee was established and met several times during the year. Its first task was to define the objectives for the Centennial Year which were adopted by the Committee at its September meeting.
* To increase understanding of China so that future relations can develop on a friendly basis.
* To raise awareness of our special link with Gansu and to deepen and broaden its base in people to people relations.
* To educate citizens on the life of Rewi Alley and his role in New Zealand's relations with China and Christchurch's relations with Gansu.
4 Cont'd To these ends the Committee has agreed on three foci for the year's activities.
(i) A Rewi Alley Festival Week in April (including April 21st 70th Anniversary of his arrival in China, with public meetings, media features, exhibitions and the launch of an illustrated booklet on his life and significance. The Committee is encouraging a privately produced film in The Legacy of Rewi Alley for showing on national television at this time.
(ii) A 3 week Citizens' Tour to China following the "Rewi Alley Trail" to the various cities, towns and villages that figured significantly in his life in China including Shanghai, Honghu near Wuhan, Shuangshipu near Xian Lanzhou, Shandan and Beijing. This tour will be led by Professor Willmott and will be organised in co-operation with the Tours Committee of the New Zealand China Friendship Society. It will be participant-funded except for the necessary protocol associated with it.
(iii) A Celebration of his 100th Birthday - 2 December, at his birthplace, Springfield, for which the grounds of the monument will be substantially improved, coinciding with a major exhibition in the Canterbury Museum and other events.
The subcommittee is now in the process of seeking sponsorship for the various elements of this programme. The Committee will present a full plan to the City Council early in 1996.
4. GEOGRAPHY SCHOOLS KIT ON GANSU
In 1992 the Committee initiated a project to develop a kit for use in secondary schools to introduce Gansu into the geography curriculum. To this end the Committee has supported Ken McLeod, Head of Geography at Riccarton High School to prepare materials. During 1994 it assisted Mr McLeod to visit Gansu for two weeks, 18 August-5 September, during which time he was able to visit numerous institutions and places and collect a large amount of material for the kit. Although the kit was expected to be completed early in 1995, professional duties and technical difficulties delayed its completion until this year. It is now in its final stages of publication and will be advertised to all the secondary schools in the Canterbury region in March.
In the opinion of the Committee, this kit will add a major dimension to the friendly relationship introducing younger people to our sister province and thus educating the next generation to a better understanding of our Chinese friends in Gansu.
4 Cont'd 5. BUDGET
The Committee considers that its work has been efficient and cost-effective this year. While accounts will not be finalised until the end of our financial year in June 1996, we can report that it is working within its $5,000 from the Christchurch City Council because of its lower level of activity this year. It will seek larger funding for 1997 in the appropriate ways, including additional grants from the City Council in the 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 budgets and major sponsorship from the private sector.
For the 1996-1997 budget, the Committee has proposed an additional Council grant of $17,000 to cover the development costs for a television film in "The Legacy of Rewi Alley", and protocol expenses for the citizens tour to China in 1997. For 1997-1998 the Committee will propose an additional grant to cover the costs of a major museum exhibition of producing a booklet on Rewi Alley and of preparations for the celebration of his birthday in Springfield.
This report is respectfully submitted by the Committee Chairman
(Signed) Professor W E Willmott"
Recommendation: 1. That the information be received. 2. That Professor Bill Willmott be thanked for his contribution to the Gansu Friendly Relations Committee and congratulated on the initiatives he has led during his term. 3. That the election of Mr Eric Livingstone as Chairman of the Gansu Friendly Relations Committee be endorsed by Council. 4. That the Committee work with the Gansu Friendly Relations Committee to seek sponsorship for the development costs associated with the television film.
5. MAORI LANGUAGE YEAR (SUPPLEMENTARY) RR 2637
Officer Responsible Author Leisure and Community Services Kevin Roche Manager Corporate Plan Output: Page 8.4.19The purpose of this report is to inform Councillors of the activities of the Maori Language Year Subcommittee and seek approval for specific proposals as recommended by that Subcommittee. Members will recall that the Council established a subcommittee in February 1995 to encourage and oversee the promotion of Maori Language Year.
5 Cont'd While this Subcommittee was not formally re-established as a subcommittee of the new Council it has continued to meet as a working party. RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENT IN THE MAORI LANGUAGE One of the proposals recently considered by the Subcommittee was that recognition should be given to young people for achievement in the Maori language. This proposal has been discussed further with Mr Terry Ryan of the Ngai Tahu Trust Board and there was enthusiastic support for this suggestion as detailed in the attached report. The suggestion provides practical recognition and encouragement in the Maori language and is also in keeping with the recommendations of the draft Children's Strategy that "the Christchurch City Council investigate ways of make children feel important in a firm achievement and good character". As detailed in the report it is proposed that recognition by way of a certificate be given to finalists in the Canterbury Regional Speech Competitions. This year the competitions will be held in June in Timaru but normally these would be held in Christchurch. Should the proposal be adopted, therefore, some alternative arrangements may be necessary for this year's competition perhaps by way of a separate presentation. At present no budget provision exists for the costs of providing certificates and these are estimated to cost approximately $1,500 per annum, including framing. Appropriate budget provision would need to be made for this expense. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION PAMPHLET The September 1995 meeting of the Cultural and Social Services Committee approved the provision of $8,000 from the $20,000 allocated for Maori Language Year towards the cost of producing a "Guide to Indigenous Plants in Greater Christchurch and the Cultural Value to Maori". This was seen as a way of promoting the Maori language and culture by providing greater knowledge of the Maori language, in particular words of common plants together with their cultural and spiritual values. This contribution was based on the assumption that some $5,000 would be contributed to this project from the Ngai Tahu Trust Board towards the total of $23,000. In the event a grant of $3,000 only has been received from the Trust Board and a shortfall of $2,000 exists. The Committee has delegated authority from the Council meeting of 26 July 1995 to determine expenditure from the budget for Maori Language Year and the meeting of the Maori Language Year Subcommittee on 19 March 1996 recommended that the contribution towards this proposal be increased to $10,000 to make up for this shortfall. 5 Cont'd OTHER PROPOSALS Several other projects are being currently examined by the Committee. It is, however, likely that a carry forward of the remaining funding of $10,000 to the 1996/97 financial year will be required. It is anticipated that the working party will shortly complete its work and a further final report to the Committee will be provided at that stage. Recommendation: 1. That members note the requirement for carry forward of funding to the 1996/97 financial year. 2. That an additional $2,000 be provided towards the cost of producing an environmental information pamphlet as recommended. 3. That the Committee recommend to the Council that appropriate certificates be presented to finalists in the Canterbury Regional Speech Competitions for recognition of achievement in the Maori language either personally by the Mayor, or by a nominee, to provide encouragement and recognition of achievement in the Maori language. PART B - ITEMS DEALT WITH BY THE COMMITTEE AND
REPORTED FOR INFORMATION ONLY
6. DEPUTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT
COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVES GROUP Mr Graham Mitchell and Barbara Arnold of the Community Employment Initiatives Group spoke to the Committee regarding the concerns they had at the current high levels of unemployment and the reduction in Government funding for community groups involved in the employment area. They stressed that when employment was termed a "crisis" in 1985 unemployment was approximately 50,000 people representing 3% of the workforce. Currently some 186,000 people were unemployed representing 10% of the workforce yet resources had not kept up with the increase in the number of unemployed. The group wished to advise members of the Committee of its concern on these two areas and in addition sought particular assistance from the Council in two areas as follows: 1. That the Council become an advocate for community groups involved in working with the unemployed and make representations to the Government to improve the resources allocated to community groups working in this area. 6 Cont'd 2. That at a policy level the Council consider providing a social emphasis to some of its work and contract this out to community groups to provide a source of income for them. It was resolved that discussion on this matter be deferred until the May meeting of the Committee when a report on the issues raised, in particular the degree of duplication if any and the extent of liaison amongst the large number of community groups involved could be provided for discussion. HOUSING FOR WOMEN TRUST Ms Janet Evans and Ms Pat Payne from Housing for Women Trust spoke concerning the proposal they wished to present to the Council for financial assistance towards the purchase of three units at Bridge Street, South Brighton. The costs involved were likely to be in the vicinity of $70,000-$80,000 and this would be used to purchase the leasehold interests of three units in the complex. The representatives from the Trust explained the philosophy and purpose of the trust and the basis on which they operated. The Chairperson thanked members of the Trust for acquainting the Committee on the background of their proposal. It was resolved that the matter be considered in detail at the May meeting of the Committee when a detailed report from officers would be presented.
7. CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME FOR HOUSING RR 2638
(SUPPLEMENTARY)
Members considered the request arising from the 3 April 1996 Annual Plan meeting of the Council, that the provision for new housing initiatives in the capital expenditure programme be reviewed as a matter of urgency given that the housing development fund would not be able to sustain the suggested capital works programme. It was resolved that the matter be considered in more detail at the next seminar meeting of the Committee when specific details on the projected cashflow for the housing development fund could be provided.
8. ITEMS RECEIVED The Committee received the following reports: 8.1 Aranui Rangatahi Trust RR 2218 Members discussed the proposal that the Council provide financial assistance towards the cost of purchase of a property for the above which had been referred back from the ordinary February meeting of the Council. 8 Cont'd Members were advised discussions were underway with Community Housing Limited to purchase the property on behalf of the Trust but, difficulties had been experienced with the obtaining of a resource consent and on agreement on the price for the property. Currently Community Housing Limited was working with officers and members of the Trust to locate an alternative property. 8.2 Christchurch Community Arts Council RR 2613 Six Monthly Report to 31 December 1995
The six monthly report of the Community Arts Council was presented for the information of members and it was agreed an invitation be extended to representatives of the Community Arts Council to attend a future meeting of the Committee to discuss the functions and direction of the Community Arts Council. 8.3 Children's Strategy Launch RR 2614 The Children's Advocate, Lyn Campbell, spoke regarding the launch of the Children's Strategy on Thursday 28 March 1996 in the Mayoral Reception Area. It was reported this has been an extremely successful launch with positive feedback. Copies of the Children's Strategy report have been made available to other local authorities. It was agreed that the May seminar meeting of the Committee should be set aside for discussion of the Children's Strategy. 8.4 Christchurch Inhambane Sister City Project RR 2623
(Supplementary)
The Committee considered a report by the Principal Environmental Health Officer updating members on the formation of the Inhambane Sister City project and confirming the arrangements for progressing links with the Provincial Government in Inhambane. The report advised a small committee had been formed to advance the project which contained representatives of local aid agencies. It was intended arrangements be made for the Mayor to visit Inhambane at some time in the future to meet formally with the Inhambane Government and sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
9. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC The Committee resolved that the draft resolution to exclude the public set out on page 15 of the agenda be adopted. CONSIDERED THIS 24TH DAY OF APRIL 1996 MAYOR