Covering activities from 1 May – 31 May 2011
Portfolio reports for the month
Transport
The Transport portfolio meets monthly with representatives from Auckland Transport. The May meeting was attended by myself and Jesse Chalmers (Transport Portfolio – West). Updates to a number of issues were reported on by Auckland Transport at our May Board meeting (the full report is available at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/waitemataunder agendas) Relevant to the transport portfolio, I attended during May:
- Transport Committee on 3 May for presentations by David Warburton and NZTA.
- City Bike Day at Aotea Square organised by the Community Transport Team of Auckland Transport
The Transport Portfolio West (with the Chair and Member Reade) also met with Auckland Transport to discuss the feedback received as a result of consultation on the proposed signalised pedestrian crossing on Ponsonby Road.
Community Engagement
Our engagement on the Waitemata Local Board plan concluded at the end of April. A number of Board workshops were held during May to discuss the feedback received and to confirm the content of the plan. I assisted the Chair in finalising the draft Local Board Plan by 31 May. Engagement on the Auckland Plan continued throughout May.
I attended:
- Central Fono on 9 May at the Western Springs Garden Community Hall
- Plan Jam – workshop on Auckland plan organised by Ecomatters
- Ethnic Peoples forum on Saturday 14 May
I arranged for a visit to the Wilton Street Community Garden for Cr Walker, Local Board members and Auckland Council officers to meet the gardeners and learn about the community compost facility at the garden.
Libraries
I attended a briefing for the Libraries portfolio on 9 May and meeting with key management activities
Local Board briefings
Attended:
- Session 4 of the Council’s natural environment and heritage policy and operations briefings (Fresh water quality/catchment management and estuarine/foreshore/marine environment)
- Solid waste Site Tour
- Ports of Auckland Briefing
Local Board Workshops
Attended:
- Board workshop on 12 May ( Local Board Plan )
- Workshop with the Strategy and Finance Committee to present and discuss the Waitemata Local Board’s position on the Local Board Agreement 19 May
- NZTA workshop re Alternate Waitemata Harbour Crossing held with Kaipatiki and Devonport/Takapuna Local Boards
- Board workshop on 24 May ( briefings on bylaw review and Pt Erin Community Needs Assessment )
I also prepared and presented the Board’s presentation for the Auckland Plan workshop with Councillors and the Mayor (see Chair’s report)
Meetings Attended:
- LGNZ Joint zone one and two meeting held in Cambridge on 13 May (attended as alternate for the Chair)
- Grey Lynn Business Association Committee meeting on 18 May
I was also present at the Strategy and Finance Committee (governing body) meeting on 25 May
Events
As a result of my Notice of Motion – Fair Trade, the Board unanimously passed a resolution at our May meeting supporting Auckland becoming a Fair Trade City and made a commitment to be a Fairtrade Local Board. As part of Fairtrade Fortnight. I also attended the SBN and the Ponsonby Art Hotel Fairtrade Breakfasts and the launch of Make Auckland Fairtrade. I also attended during May
- Launch of EMA’s smart business programme on 4 May
- Breakers parade in Aotea Square
- Festival for the Planet held at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 21 May
- Green Living Show and Green Drinks
I joined elected representatives for the Citizenship ceremony presided over by the Mayor at the Town Hall on 30 May.