Present: Roy Bensemann (Chair), Dean Walls, Julie Jacobsen, Geoff Proffitt, Kieri Williams, John Gully (TDC ward Councillor), Mark Fenemor, Roger Carleton, Barbara Carleton, Andrea Keys, Gary Polwart, Tim Holmes, Donna Luxford, Ian Breed, Karilyn Breed, Shirley Percy, Rosie Gage, Brian Robinson, Susan Creedy, Trish Palmer (Secretary).
Roy welcomed attendees.
Committee: Nil
Community: Nicola Allen and David Moulder (for 3rd March). For this meeting: Janet Moffitt, Barbara Barker, Garry & Dianne Clarke, Nicola Allen, Sharon Williams, Barbara Morgan, Janine & Wayne Leeden, David Moulder.
Amendment: The reference re trees should have included Kohatu cutting.
It has been brought to our attention that a member nominating a non-member for election (breaching the Constitution despite the relevant requirement being clearly noted on the nomination form), has potentially brought TDCC into disrepute, thereby breaching clauses 2.5 and 2.6 of the constitution. This is a sensitive matter relating to a particular person, who, in the interests of fairness, needs to be accorded the right of reply. Dealing with this matter comes within section 9 of the constitution.
Comment from the floor: This way of dealing with the matter is fair.
Two left to be completed.
Despite repeated requests, accurate and complete minutes have not been received.
Comment from floor: The constitution has a 10-day handover clause.
The Auditor requires copies of minutes for the last year, which Trish will forward once she has access to them. He has written to the Charities Commission requesting a further extension. The Treasurer has met with the Auditor.
The shed has been cleaned out; Kieri thanked Ian and Karilyn Breed for assistance. Bingo took all rubbish. Emergency equipment relocated to NPD. The shed has been bug-bombed. One food cart relocated for safety/parking. Electrician needed for pull-cord switch. Awaiting quotes for mdf, batts, paint. Ranch-sliding door to replace roller door. Exterior asbestos present but safe if untouched. Floor is concrete; heating to be reviewed later.
Query regarding Eftpos machine rental while not in use; Roy to follow up. Meeting thanked Kieri for her efforts.
Sharon Williams (4 Square) donated rat bait/washing powder. Bingo removed bins due to illegal household rubbish dumping. Hop workers offered "fill-a-bag" for $5 to reduce storage/washing; workers are keen. Kieri to coordinate.
Roy meeting with Pip Jamieson (TDC) on 19th March. Topics: roads, rivers, keeping Tapawera on the radar. Roy clarified the committee has not yet consulted the community.
John Gully reported this is a work in progress. Floor comment: Cost-benefit ratio stacks up long term.
Andrea Keys reported signatories agreed to withdraw the request. Roy thanked them.
No formal agreements confirmed yet. Julie noted the need to clarify our non-government-funded role to the community.
Plans progressing with RSA. Kieri meeting RSA 24th March. Wreaths for Tapawera and Kohatu memorials. Bagpipes, food, and logistics organized. No Australian anthem this year per community feedback.
Roy researching other community councils. John Gully offered St Arnaud’s QC-approved document as a template to tweak for community consultation.
Deferred to an informal April get-together.
Website is out of date. Trish to update once access is sorted.
Gill Hammersley consulting with Auditor.
TDCC remains neutral. However, hub promotion has appeared on the TDCC webpage. TDCC does not accept hub promotion on TDCC property to maintain public neutrality.
Note: All TDCC correspondence must go through the Secretary.
Market income query: Used for a hot water urn. Future funds to Treasurer. Regarding food cart electricity:
Tapawera Area School ($969.94) is for printing 750 copies of The Informer. Affordability to be reviewed after audit.
Councillors grappling with Annual Plan; an extraordinary meeting planned to resolve a hung vote. Rates increase estimated at 9.9% due to previous council decisions. $1 million already cut from salary budgets. Proposed Tapawera hub deferred. Flood costs have heavily impacted budgets.
Concerns raised regarding potential irregularities and actions of two previous committee members. This is a sensitive matter under section 9 of the constitution.
Roy met with the TAS Principal regarding school neutrality on contentious projects like the hub, citing the School Leaders Bulletin 2024.
Dean to stock-take Menzshed tables. Geoff to follow up on bike stands near the Community Centre.
Urgent concerns regarding road slumping (50-tonne truck load capacity). Residents fear a fatal accident. John Gully to discuss with TDC manager.
