Agenda of Community Wellbeing Committee - Wednesday, 13 December 2023

Notice is hereby given that an ordinary meeting of the Horowhenua District Community Wellbeing Committee will be held on:

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Wednesday 13 December 2023

10:00am

Council Chambers
126-148 Oxford St
Levin

Community Wellbeing Committee

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

Chair	Mayor Bernie Wanden
Councillors	Nina Hori Te Pa	Clint Grimstone
Membership	Richard Fry	Di Rump
	Mandy Fryer	Kanita Nikora
	Renee Regal	Mr Patrick Rennell
	Jacqui Moynihan	Mike Grant
	Sam Fergusson	Joanne Parker
	Tracey White	Senior Sergeant Paul Adrian
	Dr Betty-Lou Iwikau	Angela Rainham
	Jason Shepherd	Grant Congdon
	Dennis Maang	Angelina Tuialii
	Brooke Carter	Catriona McKay

Contact Telephone: 06 366 0999

Postal Address: Private Bag 4002, Levin 5540

Email: enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz

Website: www.horowhenua.govt.nz

Full Agendas are available on Council’s website

www.horowhenua.govt.nz

Full Agendas are also available to be collected from:

Horowhenua District Council Service Centre, 126 Oxford Street, Levin

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, Foxton,

Shannon Service Centre/Library, Plimmer Terrace, Shannon

and Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Bath Street, Levin

Karakia

Whakataka te hau ki te uru

Whakataka te hau ki te tonga

Kia mākinakina ki uta

Kia mātaratara ki tai

E hī ake ana te atakura

He tio, he huka, he hau hū

Tīhei mauri ora!

Cease the winds from the west

Cease the winds from the south

Let the breeze blow over the land

Let the breeze blow over the ocean

Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air.

A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.

1 Apologies

2 Public Participation

Notification of a request to speak is required by 12 noon on the day before the meeting by phoning 06 366 0999 or emailing public.participation@horowhenua.govt.nz.

3 Late Items

To consider, and if thought fit, to pass a resolution to permit the Council to consider any further items which do not appear on the Agenda of this meeting and/or the meeting to be held with the public excluded.

Such resolution is required to be made pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, and the Chairperson must advise:

(i) The reason why the item was not on the Agenda, and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of this item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.

4 Declarations of Interest

Members are reminded of their obligation to declare any conflicts of interest they might have in respect of the items on this Agenda.

5 Confirmation of Minutes

5.1 Meeting minutes Community Wellbeing Committee, 20 September 2023

Recommendations

That the meeting minutes of Community Wellbeing Committee, 20 Spetember 2023 be accepted as a true and correct record.

Community Wellbeing Committee

13 December 2023

File No.: 23/903

7.1 Community Wellbeing Committee Framework

1. Purpose

1.1 This report aims to provide guidance and suggested actions to enhance the Community Wellbeing Committee's framework following feedback already received from members.

1.2 Provide a way forward to Committee members to ensure that the Committee aligns with the intended outcomes that were initially envisioned as per the Community Wellbeing Strategy 2021-24 and in preparation for the renewed Strategy.

2. Recommendation

2.1 That Report 23/903 Community Wellbeing Committee Framework be received.

2.2 That this matter or decision is recognised as not significant in terms of S76 of the Local Government Act.

2.3 That the Committee endorses the Community Wellbeing Committee Suggested Actions listed in this report, and supports the recommended timeframes.

2.4 That the Committee does not endorse the Suggested Actions listed in the report and that the Committee will continue to operate as the status quo.

3. Background / Previous Council Decisions

3.1 The Community Wellbeing Committee is made up of Councillor and Community representation, and is an official subcommittee of Council aimed at providing collective leadership, advocacy and holistic outcomes that enable the population of Horowhenua to be well together. The Committee meets quarterly in the Council Chambers at Horowhenua District Council.

3.2 The Community Wellbeing Committee’s purpose and direction is clearly discussed in Council’s Community Wellbeing Strategy 2021-24 - Strong Communities – Ngā Hapori Kia Kaha (the Strategy) and is attached to this report.

3.3 The Strategy states that the Community Wellbeing Committee Terms of Reference is as follows:

§ Monitor and receive reports from Council on the population level results.

§ Receive six monthly reports form all member agencies regarding activity directed at target population groups and provision of data that relates to specified strategy indicators.

§ Actively encourage coordination of members and their activities.

§ Foster strategic collaborations and partnerships.

§ Provide advice to Council Officers on matter of community wellbeing in relation to specific target populations.

§ Seek to collectively influence relevant public policy.

§ Communicate Committee activity and information to the public.

§ Educate the public and community on wellbeing matters.

§ Actively seek individual agency performance improvement, as well as “community wide” improvement.

§ Encourage community-based local solutions to local issues.

§ Keep the wider community updated on progress towards the results sought across the Horowhenua District.

3.4 Informal feedback that has been shared with Council Officers, suggests that the Committee are not meeting all of the above responsibilities and outcomes and that some work can be done to strengthen the Committee to allow for those items to be achieved.

3.5 Over the last 12 months, the membership of the Committee has been minimal due to members not attending the meetings or there has been a change in personnel within the associated agency.

3.6 At the last two meetings of the Community Wellbeing Committee, Council Officers have facilitated some small workshop sessions to further understand the thoughts and feelings of those sitting around the table. The purpose of these discussions was to seek feedback and ideas for improvement.

3.7 In the earlier part of this year, an internal restructuring occurred within the Council, leading to a change in the Council's Community Development Team. This change involved alterations in personnel and reporting lines. The Community Development function now sits under the wider Community Facilities and Services umbrella, aligning their work to the work already happening in our wider facility space.

3.8 With the above change in mind, Council Officers have been discussing their desire to align the Community Wellbeing Committee to its original intent as outlined in the Strategy. Additionally, there will be more consistent support offered to our Community Networks which will in turn strengthen their work programmes.

3.9 Although the Community Development Team is closely aligned with the Committee due to the support it provides to the committee and associated networks, it's crucial to acknowledge that community wellbeing spans across all Council departments and there is a shared responsibility for the delivery of this function.

4. Discussion

4.1 The current membership of the Committee, as prescribed in the Strategy is as follows:

§ Horowhenua District Council

o Mayor’s delegate

o Councillor (Currently Cr Grimstone)

o Councillor (Currently Cr Hori Te Pa)

§ Iwi

o Muaūpoko

o Ngāti Raukawa

§ Government, Community and Community Sector Representatives

o Ministry of Social Development

o NZ Police

o Oranga Tamariki

o Mid-Central District Health Board

o THINK Hauora – PHO

o Muaūpoko Whānau Ora

o Raukawa Whānau Ora

o Department of Corrections

o Kāinga Ora

o Office of Ethnic Communities

o Ministry of Pacific Peoples

o Education Horowhenua community representative

o Youth Empowerment Project representative

o Older Person’s Network community representative

o Access and Inclusion community representative

o Youth Services Network representative (noting that this membership is not listed in the Strategy however, Council Officers are of the view that given how established the Network is, it is suitable for them to be included).

4.2 Currently, the Committee falls short of achieving complete representation as outlined earlier. Council Officers, based on received feedback, believe that this is primarily attributed to members facing challenges in attending meetings or not finding the meeting content conducive to their needs. The latter concern has been particularly emphasised in the discussions held.

4.3 Key feedback that has been shared with Council Officers either during Committee meetings or through discussions with members if summarised below:

§ Low turn-out to meetings means that there is the inability to have thorough discussions and to get a full picture of the issues being discussed.

§ Meetings are very formal in their operation and that this may put some people off either attending or taking part in dialogue.

§ The meetings are very much presentation-driven and whilst that is good and meaningful, there is a lack of engaging discussions around the table.

§ There is a need for public excluded sessions that allows the Committee to have discussions that could be sensitive or has the potential to jeopardise that agencies work and privacy.

§ There is a lack of connection to the community and the community networks.

§ Iwi wish to be involved, however resourcing continues to make that difficult and that by not attending is not a reflection of their interest in the kaupapa.

5. Options

5.1 Council Officers want to work with the Committee to strengthen the structure which in turn will support their collective mahi. Officers, as part of this report, are making a number of suggestions and/or options for the Committee to consider. They have been identified as separate tasks that contribute to the overall intent of this report:

Community Wellbeing Committee Suggested Actions

	Item	Timeframe
1	Re-introduce some form of uniformed public excluded session at the end or beginning of each Committee meeting that allows agencies to meet and discuss matters of significance.	First meeting of 2024.
2	Council Officers to proactively meet and/or engage with each ‘Government, Community & Community Sector Representatives’ to understand their requirements, the correct contact person and provide support to them to help them attend Committee meetings.	From now until the first meeting of 2024.
3	Work with the Committee to understand the priorities, work programme that aligns with Council Long Term Plan and also each agencies areas of focus. By doing so, meeting content and reports will be consistent and thorough.	Workshop discussion to be included in either the first or second meeting of 2024.
4	Work alongside the Chairs of each Community Network, strengthening their own network priorities by creating a 2024 work programme that can be presented back to the Committee.	From the beginning of 2024.
5	In addition to the above point, the Community Development Team will work with the Community Networks to strengthen their structures and purpose where required.	From the beginning of 2024.
6	Alongside the Chairs, identify a representative from each Community Network who will sit on the Community Wellbeing Committee.	From the beginning of 2024.
7	Members of the Committee, provide an update to the Council on their updated work programme and steps being taken to strengthen the purpose of the Committee.	First quarter of 2024.
8	Ensure that members can attend all meetings remotely by way of online technology.	From the first meeting of 2024.

5.2 While some of the items identified in the above table are linked and complement one another, the Committee could decide to only proceed with some of the suggested actions.

5.3 To assist the Committee, Council Officers have further developed a diagram illustrating the desired structure of the Committee which was originally published in the Strategy. This is shown below.

6. Consultation

6.1 Following consideration by the Committee, it is recommended that the actions agreed are shared with the Committee, Networks and the Council. This can be done by way of email and Council Officers will assist in this process.

6.2 There is no further consultation required.

7. Legal Considerations

7.1 There are no legal considerations to consider.

8. Financial Considerations

8.1 There are no financial considerations to consider.

9. Iwi Considerations

9.1 Both Muaūpoko and Ngāti Raukawa are members of the Community Wellbeing Committee. As part of the suggestive actions, considered in this report, Council Officers will continue to engage in discussions with our iwi partners to understand their desired outcomes from the Committee and what support they require, if any.

10. Other Considerations

10.1 There are no further considerations.

11. Next Steps

11.1 If the Committee chooses to adopt the suggestions presented in the Options section of this report, Council Officers will start making progress to implement them, as per the timeline specified.

11.2 Council Officers will also provide regular updates to the Committee on the progress of implementing those items.

12. Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Community Wellbeing Strategy 2021-24	13

Author(s)

Mark Hammond

Community Facilities and Services Manager

Approved by

Brent Harvey

Group Manager - Community Experience & Services

Monique Davidson

Chief Executive Officer

Community Wellbeing Committee

13 December 2023

8.1 Community Wellbeing Network Report - December 2023

File No.: 23/896

1. Purpose

1.1 To give an update and overview of the activities and actions undertaken by the current Community Wellbeing network committees.

2. Recommendation

2.1 That Report 23/896 Community Wellbeing Network Report - December 2023 be received.

2.2 That this matter or decision be recognised as not significant in terms of s76 of the Local Government Act 2002.

3. Our Committees

Horowhenua Youth Services Network

3.1 The Horowhenua Youth Services Network has met twice since the last Community Wellbeing Report.

3.2 From the meeting held on 7 September 2023, the following updates were provided:

· Nathan Mikaere Wallis, Neuroscience Educator - three free sessions for the community were held at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Focal Point and Youth Space.

· One rangatahi sessions were held during the day and received mixed feedback, some children struggled to keep up with Nathan’s fast-paced speech and high-level kōrero.

· The consensus was that it was a good presentation for adults, but some elements were deemed inappropriate for rangatahi. It was suggested that focusing on anxiety and depression rather than drugs and alcohol might be more suitable for the rangatahi sessions. In response to potential harm caused by the presentation on drugs and alcohol, Youthline offered to create a survey to gather feedback from the students who attended.

· Two evening session held for parents, received positive feedback.

· I AM HOPE - three ambassadors visited several schools around the district, including St Joseph’s Primary School, Levin East School, Fairfield School, Manakau School, Coley Street School, and Koputaroa School. They discussed the topic of emotions and the counselling services offered by I AM HOPE. Students in Years 3-8 received an interactive presentation, which included spot prizes, books, T-shirts, and wristbands.

· Anti-vaping campaign – the meeting received an update on the council resolution. Stacey Kerehoma recently attended a youth conference in Auckland where a group visually demonstrated the effects of vaping on youth. The feedback suggested that visual presentations effectively communicate the message of harm reduction, especially when targeting parents.

· Youth Housing – the meeting discussed the urgent need for suitable and secure housing for rangatahi, highlighting the challenge as only one emergency housing option is currently available in Horowhenua.

· Youth Expo – It was agreed that this event should have a broader reach across the Horowhenua District in the future. Nevertheless, it was noted that establishing a strong foundation and ensuring the event's success were crucial steps before expanding to different locations. The primary focus will be 'for youth, by youth.' It was agreed that the network would serve as a support system for rangatahi to drive this event and contribute to its successes in the future

· Youth falling through the gaps – the meeting agreed to initiate an memorandum of understanding process to enhance interagency collaboration and improve data collection.

3.3 From meeting held on 30 November 2023, the following updated were provided:

· The meeting took place at the Horowhenua Learning Centre, offering attendees the opportunity to visit the building site earmarked for social housing.

· The first stage of social housing would be available for tenants to move in at the end of January 2024. MSD and the Salvation Army are maintaining a housing register and conducting interviews as part of the process. More information is needed on the best way to add someone to the list. Individuals who are underage would require a guarantor.

· Youth falling through the gaps – to be picked up in the New Year, with plans to initiate collaborative efforts involving a broader group of youth service providers.

· The meeting discussed the idea of creating a brochure and/or organising an expo to expose youth falling through the gaps to the available services.

· This marked the last meeting for Councillor Piri-Hira Tukapua, who was stepping down from her role. Councillor Alan Young will be taking on the Youth Services portfolio.

Horowhenua Older Person’s Network

3.4 The Horowhenua Older Person’s Network has met once since the last Community Wellbeing Report.

3.5 From the meeting held on 26 October 2023, the following updates were provided:

· The network received a presentation from Age Concern Horowhenua on the wide variety of services available to the older community in Horowhenua. Their service has grown immensely, assisting approximately 80-100 people per day.

· Age Concern had recently relocated to new premises at 526 Queen Street East, Levin.

· Kim Stewart, Community Development Advisor, provided an update on plans for the upcoming Age on the Go Expo. A total of 65 stallholders had registered, marking an increase from the previous year.

3.6 A successful Age on the Go Expo was held on November 10 2023, attracting attendees from both within and outside the district. Following the event, feedback was sought from stallholders, and a post-event debrief has been conducted.

3.7 The next Horowhenua Older Person’s Network meeting is scheduled for 7 December 2023.

Horowhenua Access and Inclusion Network

3.8 The Horowhenua Access and Inclusion Network has met once since the last Community Wellbeing Report.

3.9 From the meeting held on 24 October 2023, the following updates were provided:

· During the network meeting, Cathy McCartney, and independent consultant, and Anna Harris from MASH delivered a presentation outlining plans for the establishment of a local community centre. Commencing in early 2024, the community engagement process will initiate with Muaupoko Tribal Authority, followed by consultations with the wider community.

· Companion Card – the network received a presentation from Norelle Ward, Mana Whaikaha, who had helped establish the companion card in Palmerston North. The card was developed to provide equity in ticketing expenses for people with life-long impairments who may need additional attendant companion support to participate in ordinary activities at partnering venues and activities. It was agreed to establish a similar card in Horowhenua with the intention of launching it before the end of the year.

3.10 On Monday 4 December 2023, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was celebrated at Uniting Church with a day of sport, sensory experiences, a free sausage sizzle, and, most importantly, fun and togetherness. Led by Sport Manawatu, Levin Uniting Church, CCS, MASH Trust, and supported by the Community Development Team. This event was organised at relatively short notice but given its success, will no doubt be repeated in the near future.

3.11 The next Horowhenua Access and Inclusion Network meeting is scheduled for 5 December 2023.

Education Horowhenua

3.12 Education Horowhenua has met twice since the last Community Wellbeing Report.

3.13 From the meeting held on 26 October 2023, the following updates were provided:

· Chris Wilton and Rebecca Lock gave a presentation on Te Tomokanga, a programme in development for tamariki/ākonga at crisis point in Horowhenua. The committee supported further investigation into the Te Community Tomokanga programme. The Wellbeing Committee will receive the same presentation as part of its meeting on 13 December 2023.

· The Transition Beyond School and Attendance Focus Groups had not met since the last Hui.

3.14 Councillor Clint Grimstone provided an update, including:

· Endorsement of the approach to the Māori Engagement framework.

· Approval of the annual plan.

· Agreement on the scope of the Long Term Plan, with Council Officers currently working on Activity Management Plans and budgets.

· Town Centre Steering Group is in the process of been formed.

· Environment Court hearing were taking place in the Council Chambers.

· Committed to reviewing the Climate Action Plan, aiming for its adoption into the Long Term Plan.

3.15 From the meeting held on 23 November 2023, the following updates were provided:

· Since the presentation at the last meeting, the concept of an attendance/pastoral care program has gained traction. Horowhenua College implemented an attendance officer who performed well; however, attendance dropped off again, making it an unsustainable long-term solution. The role of the attendance office will not be continued in 2024. It was recognized that the issues extend beyond attendance, prompting efforts to establish a dedicated space with staff to work alongside students and address their deeper issues on a long-term basis.

· The early childhood sector is also witnessing increasingly complex and difficult behaviours, prompting questions about how to address them while ensuring the safety of all students. Similarly, UCOL students are in need of additional pastoral care. UCOL had a dedicated pastoral care staff member which had made a difference to attendance numbers.

· It was acknowledged that while there were numerous agencies supporting rangatahi, the magnitude of the problems were so big they often got overwhelmed and the waiting lists were long. Access to Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour also dropped once a student gets to year 10.

· The meeting discussed an alternative approach, involving the training of teachers to place a stronger emphasis on building relationships.

· Transitions beyond school— the move to formal education can be isolating for NEETs (Not in education, employment, or training) as they navigate between providers/employers. It was suggested that some form of coordination would be beneficial, and the newly created MTFJ Hub could potentially operate in this space.

· The meeting agreed to present a staged proposal for a Te Tomokanga style programme, central pastoral hub, or wrap-around service to the Community Wellbeing Committee in early 2024.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Confirmation of statutory compliance

In accordance with section 76 of the Local Government Act 2002, this report is approved as:

a. containing sufficient information about the options and their benefits and costs, bearing in mind the significance of the decisions; and,

b. is based on adequate knowledge about, and adequate consideration of, the views and preferences of affected and interested parties bearing in mind the significance of the decision.

Signatories

Author(s)

Emma Gowan

Community Development Adviser

Approved by

Julia Atkins

Community Development Team Lead

Brent Harvey

Group Manager - Community Experience & Services

Monique Davidson

Chief Executive Officer