From 1 July 2025 we're changing to a fees up front payment system. This means that payment is made at the application stage and when we have granted the application we can issue it to the customer at the same time - speeding up the turnaround time on building consents. Any additional processing time (recoverable on an actual and reasonable basis, as per the Building Act 2004 s281B) and planning/engineering approval charges (if applicable) will be invoiced at the end of processing.
9. Council’s Meeting Process
9.3. Standing Orders
All councils are required by the Local Government Act 2002 to adopt a set of Standing Orders. Standing Orders are a set of rules of debate that provide greater formality in the way that a council conducts its meetings. They are also a means of recording the Council's agreed principles of behaviour within meetings.
Standing Orders help to regulate Council meetings by:
- allowing structured discussion of topics;
- ensuring respect for the opinions of others;
- ensuring tact and appropriate language is used in resolving conflict; and
- promoting the use of persuasion and influencing skills to gain a team outcome.
The Standing Orders must not contravene the Local Government Act 2002, the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 or any other Act. After the adoption of the first Standing Orders, an amendment or the adoption of a new set of Standing Orders requires a vote of not less than 75% of the members present.
The Council or Committee may temporarily suspend Standing Orders during a meeting by a vote of not less than 75% of the members present, the reason for the suspension must be stated in the resolution of suspension.
Council adopted “New Zealand Model Standing Orders NZS 9202:2003 incorporating Amendment No 1” with one amendment on 9 November 2016. The amendment is to retain the casting vote provision for the Mayor or Chairperson in Standing Orders.
