1310 - KBA minutes 8 October 2013

Tuesday, 8 October 2013 from 5:40pm at the Northern News Office

Present:

Steve Sangster, Annie Sangster, Jo Nol, Lynnis Burson, Brian (Betta Electrical), Noel Birchall, John (Bank Bar), Lynn from Northern News, Ngawai, Shaun Reilly, Kelly van Gaalen, Aisha Huriwai (secretary), Monique and Sue of CBEC were also present.

Apologies:

Isabelle, Mike Shaw, Elodie and John Vujcich.

- Kelly for lateness

Steve opened the meeting and passed on thanks from John Vujcich for the well wishes he had received and that the support was much appreciated. It was noted that he was doing well and was expected to be discharged from hospital this coming weekend.

Previous Meeting Minutes

That the minutes be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Steve/Joe

It was noted that a link to the previous minutes available on the website had been circulated to members. Members advised that some had trouble accessing the link.

Financial Report

Jo provided a copy of the association’s financials for the periods of April – March and the April- September 2013.

During discussion the following points were noted;

- Subscriptions are currently half of what was generally expected and that little income was expected to come through;

- A list of current membership was attached;

- A schedule of GST inclusive payments by project was also attached;

- It was noted the regular payment to D Williams was for the room rental above the post office for the surveillance cameras;

- It was clarified that special projects were mostly being funded from Pub Charity funding, but some funding was also being used from the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board and the Business Association’s own funds;

It was also noted that Kelly had approached others to renew their membership.

Membership

A motion was moved that an email reminder be sent to businesses to encourage further subscriptions.

Noel/John

Email Communication

A further motion was moved that all members should be added to the association’s distribution list for email communicates.

John/Lynn

Correspondence

Kelly reported the following Correspondence

- Response from ASB Quick Response grant to advise the application had been declined. Those present understood funds were being sought to fund more street furniture, support the cycle trail, including the development of Pou.

- Letters from groups declining the invitation to participate in the Christmas Parade

- The only outgoing correspondence were invitations for the Wall of Fame unveiling event, and 5 responses had been received so far.

Project Report

Kelly reported the following with regards to the Association’s current projects;

Wall of Fame

An unveiling of the students work would be held on Wednesday 16 October from 11am in Marino Court. It was understood it would be screened on 7 sharp but they were yet to advise when.

Business Awards

Currently open for nominations of which none had yet been submitted. It was agreed that another editorial would be prepared for the paper. It was also agreed that the current ad would be expanded to draw more attention

– Lynn to action.

Members are encouraged to submit nominations. Tickets to the Awards event would be sold at $25.

Christmas Parade and Promotion

Some budget was still required. $1,200 for parade prizes and $2,500 to conduct the parade.

There are a few prize packages that have already been donated such as a bicycle, lawnmower, toy hamper, garden package, Kodak camera, an appliance package and Ngapuhi clothing. Some funding has also been granted by the Community Board for other expenses.

With reference to the Prize Promotion it was agreed that participating stores would be limited to those with current Business Association Membership. Kelly advised that she had drafted up some rules and eligibility guides, posters would be designed for shop windows containing photos of prizes. Tickets would be used from those left over last year, to be numbered for each store and that each store was to stamp each entry to prove its legitimacy. – Prizes will be drawn by Palmer Macauley and Police.

Christmas Parade

It was expected that all stores would decorate windows by 1 November and the Ratana Band were confirmed, among others.

Motion moved that $3,500 be allocated for Christmas promotion and the parade

Kelly/Steve

Shine Kaikohe

Mike was not present to provide an update.

Community, Business & Environment Centre (CBEC)

Representatives Sue and Jo were present from CBEC based in Kaitaia. During discussions it was noted that

- CBEC started in the 1980’s;

- Registered as a business and a charity to encourage environmental protection while creating employment;

- The business has many aspects in addition to its transfer station such as tool and equipment hire, Healthy Homes Tai Tokerau, swimming pool management, event organising, curbside refuse and recycling collection;

- As part of its waste minimisation has a strong role in environmental education and will work with any group willing to reduce its waste and is contracted by the Council to educate the district;

- 70% of landfill input could be reduced by either recycling or reusing;

- Have a Green Star award that is awarded to businesses reducing their waste;

- Criteria for a Green Star award is to have systems in place for reduction, procurement policies in place that help reduce waste, and have infrastructure in place to reduce waste;

- CBEC can be contracted to help reduce a business’ waste or can provide step by step guidelines;

- On average a business can reduce its waste for landfill by 60-80% and therefore reducing waste disposal costs by 15%;

- CBEC employ 70 people and have not laid off any staff in the last 5 years; and

- There is a cost incurred in processing recycling, therefore there is a cost required to collect or receive recyclables.

It was asked whether or not there was a possibility to expand from Kaitaia to establish a base in Kaikohe. It was believed however that the competition in the Mid North Area is too strong to make this feasible.

It was raised that there are high waste levels from supermarkets etc and that approx. 50% of food is disposed of before coming into possession by consumers. It was understood that food regulations made it difficult to make ‘waste retail food’ available to consumers but that work was being done to make it available for animal consumption.

Economic Development Update

In Mike’s absence Steve read a copy of the Economic Development Working Party minutes which were available online.

In addition to the minutes it was noted that;

- the financials for the Export Meat/Produce store had not yet been made available;

- Opononi-Rangihamama Trust were looking to open a new diary plant

- Top energy expansion in Ngawha was strongly progressing

- Allison Mooney would visit the area and that the matter would be discussed at a later meeting.

General Business

- The latest Far North Infometrics would be circulated to members of the association

- Kaikohe-Okaihau Traverse was successful with approximately 150 participants and will continue as an annual event but will need more promotional support.

- Ngapuhi Festival would be held in Kaikohe next year and would incorporate the World Indigenous Festival

- There was a need for everyone to encourage membership

- It was noted that Christian Huriwai had recently screened on New Zealand’s Got Talent and was a positive advertisement for Kaikohe. It was suggested that to celebrate his success and support of Kaikohe by installing a large unicycle in the town as an iconic feature.

- It was also suggested that the town have a novelty day event during the A & P show to encourage visitors into town.

Meeting closed at 7:15pm