Boot Motions » Council meeting 22 June 2011 - WorkBoot dig #10
Moved Larsen That the Chief Executive provide Council with a report detailing the costs and charges for resource consent applications by 24 August 2011. The report is to include: 1. the hourly rates that are agreed to be charged by consultants that have been used by Council in the last 12 months 2. the hourly rates used by Council staff for services that are charged on to applicants 3. the accounting processes that are in place to ensure that fees are accrued and able to be reported to applicants so that the applicant is not taken by surprise or subject to unfair commercial pressure when consent terms are being discussed, 4. the guidelines in place, if any, on how fees are apportioned between the Council and consultants. 5. the service level guidelines for applicants 6. the transparency measures in place to ensure that applicants are properly and fully advised at all relevant times of their rights and obligations during the process including their right to challenge fees that Council claims.
An important factor in encouraging economic growth is keeping compliance costs down. It is important for Council to understand the current charging regime to determine if it is fair and reasonable and to decide if changes are needed in future. Much criticism has been directed at Council’s management of resource consent consultants and charging for these services. In order to build a better reputation regarding resource consent processing, it is important that council is satisfied that it is providing a fair charging regime and a good level of service.
Reasons given by Mayor for refusing -
3.10.2d Refusal of notice of motion
Fees and charges are an agenda item.
My analysis
3.10.2d Refusal of notice of motion states –
“The chairperson may direct the chief executive to refuse to accept any notice of motion which:
(d) Is concerned with matters which are already the subject of reports or recommendations from a committee to the meeting concerned.
Reasons for refusing a notice of motion should be provided to the proposer.”
The resolution presented to Council for the 22 June meeting relating to Fees and Charges is simply the adoption of the Schedule of Fees and Charges for 2011/12. The resolution reads –
That Council adopts the Fees and Charges 2011/12, as amended.
The matters referred to in the notice of motion are not the subject of the report on the Schedule of Fees and Charges 2011/12. They are a different matter.
Therefore no valid reason has been given for refusing notice of motion 10.