2011-2012 Annual Report - Full Version - PDF - Palmerston North ...

EnvironmentalSustainability... What the Council Does RegulatoryThe year was highlighted by the continuedimpact of the economic downturn which resultedin a lower than usual number of developmentapplications being lodged for processing andrelated requests for services. As a result of a staffdownsizing process, reflecting the drop in worklevels, there has been a greater focus on identifyingproductivity improvements and opportunities todeliver services as efficiently as possible and at areasonable cost. As part of the implementationof the Business Friendly Strategy, industry liaisongroup meetings were held to gain feedback onthe Council’s performance so as to identify serviceimprovement opportunities.Animal ControlThe key focus has been on the continued targetingof unregistered dogs and issuing infringementsas a penalty for non-compliance. The successfulimplementation of the “doggy doo” initiative thatencouraged owners to pick up doggy doos hascontinued. This was enhanced by the installationof another pole and bags in Ruahine Street andRoxborough Crescent by the walkway entrance.A key highlight was the installation of a stockramp at the Animal Pound in Totara Road. This hasproved invaluable in enabling staff to move stockon and off vehicles that minimised health risks tothemselves and the animals.For 2012/13 the focus will be on identifyingproductivity improvements to enable availableresources to be used as effectively as possible.This will be achieved in part by implementing the“mobile officer” concept which centres on the useof technology to reduce the need for staff to beprimarily office based.Building ControlThe year was highlighted by the introduction of thenew Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme (LBP)which enabled certified builders to self-certify workthey undertook. This has assisted in improving thecompetency of the industry which has had a flowon effect in terms of the quality of applicationsreceived by Council for processing.A major concern was the continuing impact of theeconomic downturn on the building industry. Thishas resulted in a continuing lower than normalnumber of consent applications being lodged/issued with only 904 processed during 2011/12compared to 1,177 in 2009/10.Looking forward to 2012/13, indications from keymembers of the industry is that the economicdownturn will soften which is likely to result ina moderate increase in consents processed andrequests for inspections. Even though the LBPscheme will have a greater take-up by propertyowners, it is unlikely that this will result in a notablereduction in the level of work the Council handles.It is expected that property owners will continueto seek the Council’s involvement in confirmingcompliance of building work so as to gain somedegree of confidence that the work completedwas to a suitable standard.It is expected that the Department of Building andHousing will continue its focus on implementinginitiatives that, in their view, improves productivityin the sector, the goal being to enable the deliveryof a range of houses and buildings at prices andstandards accessible to all. It could possibly resultin the introduction of a regionalised buildingservice and new national based technology suchas the online consenting system.Land AdministrationA key highlight was the successful merging ofadministration and support staff from acrossthe Unit into a single Division so as to minimiseduplication of administration tasks throughoutthe Unit and increase productivity levels. Itallowed a greater level of staff multi-skilling so asto provide backup for those areas with seasonalhigh workloads and better coverage for sicknessand annual leave.In terms of 2012/13 implementation of theboundary alteration with Manawatu DistrictCouncil will be a focus to ensure a smooth transitionof services for new ratepayers, particularly inrespect of those services provided through thefront of house area. As a result of changes to theBuilding Act, a key piece of work will centre onupdating and inputting more detailed informationheld in respect to approximately 1,500 BuildingWarrant of Fitnesses.Public HealthA major highlight was the updating of all theliquor ban signage throughout the City. There isnow pavement signage at prominent places andoutside every licensed premise within the LiquorControl Area. Two double-sided signs for theCBD Hospitality Charter, that includes the LiquorControl Area message, have been completedbut will not be erected until the unveiling of thecharter in early July 2012.88 Palmerston North City Council Annual Report 2011/12