Have You Got Protection?

Bluff may very soon have none.

Cr Boniface and Bluff Community Board are at the meeting discussing Urban Renewal and Derelict Houses are also on the agenda so it seems apt to mention this.

One of the things I’d been meaning to follow up on was the NZ Historic Places Trust Register.  Being the longest continuously settled European town in New Zealand you would expect us to have some buildings on the register.  I have heard many times that the issues surrounding the Club Hotel and it’s condition are hampered by NZHPT registration.  That won’t be the case for long…what then I wonder?

Under Section  74 (2)(b) of the Resource Management Act, all councils when creating and reviewing their District Plans, must consider the Register.

We all seem to have the misconception that the Register protects a building or landmark.  The reality is that the District Plan provides the protection after considering the register.  ICC have begun their review of the District Plan and when they check the register they are going to find Club Hotel is NOT a Category 2 listed building.

I know the sign says it has registration but I was looking on the Register and it wasn’t there.  I finally got around to making inquiries.

Here is the response:

The Club Hotel in Bluff was thought to have been registered as a Category 2 historic place. However, some of these early registrations were not properly completed at the time and are now described as ‘deficient’. Therefore Club Hotel cannot, regrettably, be regarded as registered.

The reply also pointed out that there are no buildings in Bluff registered.

What’s the ramification of this?  Hard to know but it could mean the owner would be free to maintain, upgrade, repair or demolish the building unhindered.

If the owner has been using the registration as an excuse to do nothing, the removal of that protection allows council to force the owner to maintain the building.  Without knowing the mindset of the owner it’s hard to know.  There are economic benefits to NZHPT registration and the removal of those may force drastic action.  Who knows?

One thing this reiterates to me is ‘don’t believe everything you read’ and ‘do your own research’ and continue to follow up.  I won’t be forgetting that if we don’t rezone it will big business (industry) that has the capital to fund demolition and rebuilding of such a large site.  I doubt any cottage industries could repair and reopen the Club.  I can’t see it reopening as a pub or accommodation…such a significant feature on our main street…what’s it’s future?

Nice To Meet You

So many newcomers to the blog of late!  Interesting how many search up flat hill wind farm blog or bluff community board blog or even just kylie blog bluff.  The variations of spelling motupohue are amazing, even if I’m only making more people aware of Bluff’s Maori name and spelling, I’ve achieved something. LOL.

Still many readers of the Bluff Beacon, older ones rather than the newer and regular use of the letters to the editor.  Strange that even though I uploaded and linked to William Watt’s report on Child Friendly Cities that no-one has looked.  Could it be that no-one gives a shit?  I don’t anticipate many submissions on the Policy except from the overtly politically correct government employee types, you know the ones, CYFS and the like.  I do fear that groups like the Sun Smart Council attempt to get councils to implement shade policies and Plunket, Barnado’s and Teen Pregnancy all ask for something.  I’ve said it before that this policy could open up a whole can of worms but I will use it if necessary.  Those footpaths without hand rails, school and kindy without a crossing.  Could be advantageous (not to the ratepayer though).

Another item I picked up as a tabled document at a Council meeting was this ‘ode’ called the Secret Meeting Hall.  I can’t remember the date but it mentions the three bin system being turned down and Kumaguya, I think it was around 2010 I got it.  Don’t know the author and you’ll have to ignore the grammar and spelling and see if you can decipher the writing.

Done!

Letters to the editor now online! Includes today’s.

The Irony

After I finally made comment about the medical centre, I received this today.  Underlining mine just because it was my views prior to receiving this email.  I wouldn’t give to a organisation that can’t handle the basics and the tax implications of de-registration could be significant.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE CHARITIES COMMISSION

From the date of this email, we will no longer accept incomplete Annual Returns

 Much of the research looking into what drives public trust and confidence in charities, and donor’s giving behaviour, shows that the public expect charities to be open, transparent and accountable.

 And that starts with the very basics, such as ensuring complete Annual Returns and financial statements are filed with the Charities Commission on time, as required by the Charities Act.  For this reason, the Commission will now no longer accept incomplete or incorrect Annual Returns.

 From the date of this email, we will no longer accept incomplete Annual Returns or publish them on your charity’s summary page on the Charities Register. 

 A “complete” Annual Return consists of:

• an Annual Return form (Form 4), with all applicable questions completed, including Question 25 (essential) and
• a copy of your charity’s financial statements.

 If either of these is not filed within six months of your financial year-end, your charity’s online record, viewable on the public Charities Register, will show the Annual Return as missing.  That could potentially affect public perceptions of your charity, and possibly damage public confidence in its ability to work effectively.

 If the Commission receives an incomplete Annual Return, we will do our best to contact the charity to ask for the missing information.  This includes charities whose Form 4 simply says “see accompanying financials” in response to Question 25 in Form 4 – this response doesn’t meet the requirements of the legislation. 

 “Incomplete” also includes Returns that don’t include financial statements for a full financial year, or that are for the wrong financial year, or that belong to a (non-registered) related organisation.  We have found, for example, that some charities have filed accounts for the larger non-charitable “parent” entity to which they belong,  instead of their own – charitable – accounts.

 If we don’t receive any reply or the missing/correct information within a reasonable time, the charity will be deregistered – and will no longer be able to access all the benefits of registration, including tax exemption.  Donee status (granted by Inland Revenue) may also be revoked, which means that donors can no longer claim tax credits on their donations.

 We encourage you to file complete, correct Annual Returns, as the legislation requires, and to file them on time (within six months of your balance date). 

 Helpful tip:  the date on which your charity’s Annual Return is due is shown on your charity’s summary page on the Charities Register.

 By filing a complete Annual Return and meeting all your other obligations, you can comply with the law’s requirements to remain registered, contribute to public trust and confidence in the charitable sector,  and remain eligible for the tax and other benefits of charitable status.

 If you need help completing your Annual Return, please make use of the Annual Returns help on our website, including our Annual Return checklist and Annual Return financial information help notes

 Most people tell us that filing their Annual Return is relatively straightforward (especially if they file it by logging in and completing it online). 

 We look forward to receiving your next Annual Return by its due date,  completed as required.

 Kind regards

The team at the Charities Commission

As Predicted

I’ve got sick kids (and I’m not much better) so can’t attend the Flat Hill Wind Farm Hearing…grrr…unfortunately me and what I want are way down the priority list, as they should be with all mothers.

I have sent in, by email, what I was going to say and hope they will consider it.

Meanwhile, ICC have a ton of things out for consultation, here’s a summary

Elizabeth Park, Myers Reserve Draft Management Plans – Submissions close on Friday, February 24

City Centre Outline Action Plan discussion document – Comments close on Wednesday, February 29

Child and Family draft policy – Submissions close at 5pm on March 30

Draft Regional Public Transport Plan -  Submissions close at 5pm on March 30

All the information can be found here

Next Council clinic is : Wednesday, March 21, Elles Road Bible Chapel, 5.30-7.30pm.