Community Services

Comprises Parks and Reserves, Cemeteries, Security Patrol, Library, Swimming Pool, and District Sports Co-ordinator Scheme.

Parks and Reserves (including public conveniences)

Rationale for delivery of activity

Council’s involvement in parks, reserves and associated activities is in part based upon provisions of the Reserves Act 1977 and the Resource Management Act 1991 and is also intended to improve the general quality of life for the residents in the District. In particular the parks and reserves provide facilities for passive or active enjoyment by residents and visitors alike.

Community Outcomes

The community has ready access to its natural environment.

The community is enhanced through appropriate plantings.

All public open spaces are preserved, enhanced and made accessible to the public 24 hours a day.

Otorohanga is a must-see tourism destination. Its many attributes are enhanced, including its natural features, such as rivers, gardens and Kahikatea remnants, its position as a travel gateway and Tourism New Zealand’s categorisation of Otorohanga as an ‘ideal town’.

Our identity is preserved and fostered. This includes our Māori and Pakeha inheritance and recognition of all cultures and religions.

The harbour and surrounds be cleaned up, preserved and protected (similar to the Raglan harbour care project).

Infrastructure is adequate to deal with environmental issues from any development.

That our countryside receives a high level of protection.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

Continued development of Otorohanga Domain (Bush Park).

Support development of the Kiwi House.

Enhance and develop access to, and passive recreation areas on, riverbank reserve.

Review landscape plan.

Development of Otorohanga domain.

Preserve the historic Huiputea Tree area.

Investigate options for development of the area between the garage and the museum.

Have adequate public toilets, parking and
bi-lingual signage in place.

Continue the development of public reserves in Kawhia.

Protect and promote our parks and reserves.

Develop access to the river.

Target Levels of Service

Maintenance of all amenities to standards appropriate for their intended uses.

No more than two public complaints per month regarding presentation of Council administered reserves and toilets.

How do we measure progress?

By ensuring that there is:

Planned inspections and other audits of contractor performance.

Analysis of service records.

Progressive development of reserves in Otorohanga and Kawhia in accordance with landscape plan documents.

Implementation of an annual improvement project (from landscape plans) in both Kawhia and Otorohanga.

Updating and revision of landscape and reserve management plans as required.

Parks and Reserves Assets

Council owns and administers approximately:

300 parcels of land classified as Parks or Reserves, which have in total an area of approximately 500Ha.

6 public toilet facilities.

Changes – demand and levels of service

Only limited increases in demand for parks and reserves assets is expected, but some improvement in the level of service from existing assets is also sought during the period covered by the Annual Plan.

Required additional asset capacity

Only relatively minor additional asset capacity is expected to be required in response to the minor changes in demand or target levels of service identified above. Levels of service will however be significantly raised through improvements to existing assets.

Provision of additional asset capacity

New or improved reserves in accordance with relevant Landscape Plans will be designed and constructed by Council staff and/or consultants and contractors.

Estimated cost of additional asset capacity

The estimated total non-inflation adjusted cost of additions or improvements to parks and reserves over the next 10 years is estimated to be in the order of $0.5 million.

Risks

Demand for higher service standards (e.g. moving riverbank reserves) leads to increased costs.

How additional asset capacity will be funded.

The most significant source of funding for additional or improved parks and reserves assets will be from Reserve Contributions. Outstanding funding requirements will be obtained from reserve funds, rates, loan monies or general funding.

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Asset maintenance, renewal and replacement

Asset maintenance, renewal and replacement will be undertaken by Council staff or contractors as required. The condition of Council’s parks and reserves assets is variable, but a recent increase in Reserve Contributions will assist in enabling necessary asset renewals or replacements.

Library

Rationale for delivery of activity

Council provides the Library to meet the expectations of the Community. The primary role is to provide written and recorded media, such as books and videos and access to electronic information. This material is used for many purposes including, entertainment, learning and research.

Community Outcomes

The community values life-long learning.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

Encourage greater use of the library.

What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

Council is the service provider for the Library.

Target Levels of Service

Accessible, high quality library service.

How do we measure progress?

By comparing library standards to those of the Standards for New Zealand Public Libraries (2004) to ensure compliance.

Library to provide holiday programmes for children.

Library to produce quarterly newsletter.

Library to promote use of the libraries through at least four activities such as class visits, displays, visiting speakers and special events.

Library Assets

            Otorohanga Library complex.

            Stock of books and non-book materials, computer equipment etc.

            Kawhia Library Complex

            Stock of books and non-book materials, computer equipment etc.

Asset maintenance, renewal and replacement

No addition asset capacity has been identified. Provision has been made for the increasing cost of replacement and/or new books. Asset maintenance will be undertaken by Council staff or contractors as required.

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Risks

Cost of books increases.

Costs associated with providing access to electronic resources, library catalogue and on-line data.

Patronage decreases because resources do not meet community expectation.

Swimming Pool

Rationale for delivery of activity

Council carries out this activity to meet the expectations of the Community. There is no legal obligation to do so.

Community Outcomes

Services are provided for youth.

That sporting/ recreational facilities are available and affordable for people to use.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

A range of options, including a youth forum.

Encourage the use of sporting and recreational facilities.

What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

Council owns and maintains a facility to enable year-round swimming and other water based exercise by individuals and groups from the District. The facility is operated on Council’s behalf by a contractor.

Target Levels of Service

Effective management and encouragement of use of the swimming pool complex by the community and visitors.

Contractor required to meet standards of supervision recommended in NZRA Swimming Pool Guidelines 1999, and test pool water quality in accordance with NZS 5826: 2000.

Pool Management is also to comply with Water Safety NZ / ACC Poolsafe Quality Management Scheme.

How do we measure progress?

Review and action where necessary contractor reports on pool water usage and monitoring of key quality indicators.

Positive feedback from users through annual surveys to public.

Swimming Pool Assets

The pool facility comprises an indoor/outdoor swimming complex in Otorohanga with associated gymnasium facilities. In recent years Council has significantly upgraded the facility.

Changes – demand and levels of service

After recent significant increases in both demand and levels of service in respect of the swimming pool, it is now believed that a relative plateau has been reached, from which further significant changes are not expected during the period covered by the Annual Plan.

Asset maintenance, renewal and replacement

Asset maintenance, renewal and replacement will be undertaken by Council staff or contractors as required. The condition of Council’s swimming pool assets is generally sound, and only relatively limited maintenance and renewal inputs are expected to be required to sustain this over the period of the Annual Plan.

Associated costs will be met by reserve funds, rates, loan monies or general funding.

Required additional asset capacity

No significant additional asset capacity is expected to be required during the next 10 years.

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Risks

Operation and maintenance of the pool complex is already a relatively expensive activity, and these costs may increase in the future due to the age of the facility and increases in other significant cost components such as energy.

As such the activity may have an adverse economic impact on the Community.

Cemeteries

Rationale for delivery of activity

The Activity is undertaken to comply with legislation under Section 4 of the Burial and Cremations Act 1964, and to meet the expectations of the Community.

Community Outcomes

This activity does not contribute directly to community outcomes as currently identified.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

Nil.

What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

Council owns, develops, maintains and administers the operation (including associated record keeping) of public cemeteries to satisfy local needs in respect of burials.

Target Levels of Service

Compliance of cemetery management and maintenance with the requirements of the Burial and Cremation Act 1968 and associated regulations and Bylaws.

Maintaining facilities to standards in accordance with operational contracts, with less than 10 justified complaints per annum.

How do we measure progress?

By ensuring on an annual basis that:

Cemetery management and maintenance complies with the requirements of the Burial and Cremation Act 1968, and associated Regulations and Bylaws.

Cemeteries are maintained to the standards specified in the operational contracts.

Cemetery Assets

Otorohanga Cemetery.

Kawhia Cemetery.

Changes – demand and levels of service

No significant changes in demand or required level of service from these assets are expected over the next 10 years.

Required additional asset capacity

No significant additional asset capacity is expected to be required during the next 10 years.

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Asset maintenance, renewal and replacement

Asset maintenance, renewal and replacement will be undertaken by Council staff or contractors as required. The extent of these required activities will be relatively low.

Associated costs will be met by reserve funds, rates, loan monies or general funding

Risks

No significant negative social, cultural, environmental or economic effects are expected to result from this activity.

Security Patrol

Rationale for delivery of activity

Due to an approach by local businesses to provide the service as the demand for a privately owned scheme did not exist.

Community Outcomes

Otorohanga is a safe environment to live and play.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

Nil.

What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

To provide patrol services for defined area during night time hours.

Target Levels of Service

To ensure that the terms of the contract are fulfilled.

How do we measure progress?

By ensuring a nightly security patrol is provided for 8 hours per night by a registered officer.

Security Patrol Assets

There are no assets for this activity.

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Risks

There are no known risks.

District Sports Co-ordinator Scheme

Rationale for delivery of activity

Council’s role in this scheme satisfies part of its Mission Statement by recognising the social need to promote physical activity.

Community Outcomes

Services are provided for youth.

There is an adequate range of health and well-being, youth and adult social services provided in Kawhia.

That sporting / recreation facilities are available and affordable for people to use.

Council contribution to Community Outcomes

Develop health and well-being services.

Encourage the use of sporting / recreational facilities.

A range of options, including a youth forum.

What is the extent of Council’s responsibility?

To monitor the effectiveness of the District Sports Co-ordinator scheme.

Target Levels of Service

Promotion of better communication for sport throughout the whole District.

Running of educational seminars.

Co-ordination of a holiday programme for the children.

How do we measure progress?

By ensuring that the District Sports Co-ordinator reports to Council regularly on activities undertaken.

Sports Scheme Assets

There are no assets for this activity.

Sources of Revenue

Sources of Revenue are disclosed in the Revenue and Financial policy.

Risks

Due to increasing costs of service, the long term implications of high standards are the ability to fund these desired standards.

Council needs to be able to balance these standards within the set budget taking into account all other aspects of the community being environmental, economic, cultural and social requirements.

2007/08

2008/09

2008/09

Annual Plan

LTCCP

Annual Plan

Variance

INCOME

Otorohanga Rural

User Fees and Charges

9,417

68,227

1,809

(66,418)

Development Contributions

50,000

50,000

50,000

-

59,417

118,227

51,809

(66,418)

Otorohanga Community

User Fees and Charges

54,047

53,474

74,219

20,745

Development Contributions

-

-

-

-

54,047

53,474

74,219

20,745

Kawhia Community

User Fees and Charges

11,455

12,871

12,511

(360)

11,455

12,871

12,511

(360)

TOTAL INCOME

124,919

184,572

138,539

(46,033)

EXPENDITURE

Otorohanga District

Sundry District Reserves & Public Conveniences

478,159

515,573

56,319

(459,254)

Halls

31,061

34,181

30,721

(3,460)

District Co-ordinator Scheme

62,250

66,093

68,250

2,157

571,470

615,847

155,290

(460,557)

Otorohanga Community

Pools

300,724

311,019

308,987

(2,032)

Parks and Reserves

-

-

236,239

236,239

Public Conveniences

-

-

53,296

53,296

Cemetery

37,897

35,527

37,741

2,214

Library

224,936

238,710

254,486

15,776

Security Patrol

98,000

104,054

89,000

(15,054)

671,557

689,310

979,749

290,439

Kawhia Community

Harbour Services

27,700

33,990

27,700

(6,290)

Parks and Reserves

-

-

73,616

73,616

Public Conveniences

-

-

41,483

41,483

Cemetery

12,700

13,465

12,700

(765)

Community Centre

16,313

18,300

16,311

(1,989)

56,713

65,755

171,810

106,055

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

1,299,740

1,370,912

1,306,849

(64,063)

OPERATING SURPLUS (DEFICIT)

(1,174,821)

(1,186,340)

(1,168,310)

(18,030)

FUNDED BY

Otorohanga District

Rates and General Funding

1,208,410

1,214,899

1,211,672

(3,227)

Transfers to/ from Reserves

(50,000)

(50,000)

(50,000)

-

Depreciation not Funded

16,931

22,010

16,931

(5,079)

Movement in Account Balances

(519)

(570)

(10,294)

(9,724)

1,174,821

1,186,340

1,168,310

(18,030)

TOTAL FUNDING

1,174,821

1,186,340

1,168,310

(18,030)

Total Expenditure includes Depreciation of:

140,811

140,811

168,384

27,573

Statement of Capital Expenditure

2007/08

2008/09

2008/09

Annual Plan

LTCCP

Annual Plan

Variance

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

Otorohanga Rural

Renewals/ New Works

608,000

130,626

10,000

(120,626)

Loan Repayments

9,393

29,396

-

(29,396)

617,393

160,019

10,000

(150,022)

Otorohanga Community

Renewals/ New Works

69,500

76,464

125,700

49,236

Loan Repayments

28,138

27,205

29,146

1,941

96,205

103,699

154,846

51,177

Kawhia Community

Renewals/ New Works

10,000

5,310

52,000

46,690

Loan Repayments

440

440

9,833

9,393

10,440

5,750

61,833

56,083

TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

725,471

269,438

226,679

(42,762)

FUNDED BY

Otorohanga District

Loans

525,000

-

17,000

17,000

Depreciation Reserves

112,287

110,346

95,380

(14,966)

Special Funds

70,000

90,000

90,000

-

Rates and General Funding

18,184

69,092

24,299

(44,793)

725,471

269,438

226,679

(42,762)

TOTAL FUNDING

725,471

269,438

226,679

(42,762)