Committee Profile
The Council has three standing committees, one joint committee, six special committees and three advisory boards.
Standing Committees
Hearings Committee (Chairperson: Councillor Christine Chambers, Members: Mayor Colin Holmes, Councillors Tony Bonne, Bill Clark and Russell Orr) - hears resource consent applications under the Resource Management Act 1991, hears plan change submissions, hears variations to the District Plan, recommends appeals to any plan change or variation, provides instructions on appeals to the Environment Court. Hearings under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, the Dog Control Act 1996 and any other Act that requires hearings, except the Reserves Act 1977. Hears objections to development contributions.
Iwi Liaison Committee (Chairperson: yet to be appointed) - provides a Maori perspective to decision-making with the following contexts: mana atua - spiritual dimension; mana tipuna - ancestral dimension; mana whenua - land dimension, landmarks of cultural and/or historical importance; mana tangata - community (social input) at waka, hapu and iwi levels. A Tutohinga (Memorandum of Understanding) between the Iwi Liaison Committee and the Whakatane District Council was signed on 8 October 2003 and this was updated on 23 November 2005. A Terms of Reference for the Iwi Liaison Committee was adopted by the Council on 21 November 2007. The Iwi Liaison Committee consists of two elected members - The Mayor Colin Holmes and Councillor George Johnston and includes 3 representatives from Ngati Awa (Joe Mason, Pouroto Ngaropo and one vacancy), 3 representatives from Tuhoe (Richard White with Meriann White as deputy, Colin Te Pou, Kiri McCorkindale), 1 representative from Ngati Rangitihi (Henry Pryor), 1 representative from Ngati Manawa (Bill Bird), 1 representative from Ngati Whare (James Carlson), 1 representative from Tuwharetoa (BOP) Marae Entity (Paora Hunia) and 1 representative from Upokorehe (Tawhai Te Rupe)
Audit Committee (Chairperson: yet to be appointed) - external and internal financial control systems. Audit Committee Members: Mayor Colin Holmes, Deputy Mayor Graeme Hanlen, Councillors Tony Bonne and Russell Orr. Several outside appointments may be made to the Audit Committee.
Joint Committee
Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group - this is a joint committee of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Kawerau, Opotiki, Rotorua, Tauranga, Western Bay of Plenty and Whakatane District Councils to determine Civil Defence Emergency Management. Member: Mayor Colin Holmes with Deputy Mayor Graeme Hanlen attending in his absence
Special Committees
Preservation Incentive Fund Special Committee
(Chairperson: yet to be appointed) - Members: Councillors Christine Chambers and Bill Clark. This Committee considers and approves preservation incentive fund applications.
Young Achievers Awards and Annual Grants Special Committee
(Chairperson: yet to be appointed) - Members: Deputy Mayor Graeme Hanlen, Councillors Scott Jarrett and Jacob Te Kurapa.
This Committee considers and determines nominations for the Young Achievers Award Scheme and considers applications for the Annual Grants scheme and makes allocations under this scheme within approved budgets.
Creative New Zealand Local Communities Funding Assessment Special Committee
(Chairperson: yet to be appointed) Members: Councillors Rachael Byrne and Christine Chambers plus six community representatives. This Committee makes funding decisions in respect to all funds provided by Creative New Zealand in accordance with the rules and guidelines provided by Creative New Zealand for the distribution of those funds.
Community Sports Fund Assessment Special Committee (Chairperson: yet to be appointed). Members: Councillor Russell Orr plus six community representatives. This Committee allocates funds provided by SPARC in accordance with the rules and guidelines provided by SPARC.
Plains Water Supply Special Committee
(Chairperson: yet to be appointed). Members: Councillors George Johnston and Russell Orr, Graeme Smeaton (Edgecumbe-Tarawera Community Board) plus six community representatives. This Committee makes recommendations to the Council on the water by meter charges and fixed charges; considers the issues relating to drinking water standards and the long term viability and expansion of the Plains water scheme.
Whakatane District Museum and Gallery Board
(Chairperson: yet to be appointed). Members Councillor Ian Shearer and one representative from Friends of the Museum; Whakatane Historical Society; Iwi - Te Runanga o Ngati Awa; Whakatane Arts and Crafts Society; Whakatane Principals Association; Genealogy Society/Historical Places Trust.
The Board provides advice on acquisitions and acessions to collections and de-accessioning. The Board submits recommendations each year to the Council's Annual Plan and comments on any business plan and policy documents.
Boards
Harbour Advisory Board
(Chairperson: yet to be appointed) Members: The Mayor Colin Holmes and Councillor George Johnston plus five community representatives. The Board is to review the Port Management Plans; investigate means to provide a functional, safe and sustainable harbour for the long term benefit of the community; evaluate and make recommendations to the Council on efficiencies to maintain the harbour in a workable condition and provide the Council with advice on long term strategic direction and faciltiies required for the harbour.
Airport Advisory Board
(Chairperson: yet to be appointed)
Members: Deputy Mayor Graeme Hanlen plus one representative from the Joint Venture Partner and four community representatives. The Board is to review the extisting Asset Management Plans for the Whakatane and Galatea airports; investigate means to provide a profitable, functional and safe airport for the long term benefit of the community; provide advice and recommendations to the Council on the draft Strategic Plan for the Whakatane Airport and consider the needs of the commercial and recreational users of the Whakatane Airport to ensure the present level of facility is maintained and increased wherever practicable and economic; evaluate and make recommendations to the Council to improve and increase the number and frequency of air services to the community and to consult with the Council's Joint Venture Partner (Ministry of Transport).
Eastern Bay of Plenty Development Board
Chairperson: Des Fermah: Members: two Council appointees Karen Gow and David Dowd plus four community representatives: Jenny Mahoney, Bob Gillon, John Spring, Leonie Simpson. The Board is tasked with promoting the district as a place to visit, live and do business; to encourage sustainable development and support new and existing businesses and to have an overview of the Visitor Information Office.