The Grandstand stands unchanged since the TDC resolution nine months ago committing them to the restoration of the Grandstand. But it still stands and that is good.

There is movement towards re-forming the Showgrounds Management Committee required by the Reserves and Other Lands Disposals Act 1959 (ROLD Act), with the proposed Terms of Reference for this committee being presented to the Full Council Meeting of 25 February 2021 for approval.

The minutes of that meeting are not yet online so the outcome is not yet officially confirmed, but here is a brief breakdown of the proposed Terms of Reference:

The committee is to be called the Golden Bay Recreation Park Management Committee.

TDC appoints all members of the Committee: two must be councillors, one must be recommended by the Golden Bay A&P Association, and up to four others appointed by TDC as nominees of other sporting bodies in the Takaka Ward.

The Terms of Reference give the committee eight powers to recommend and to provide advice and three powers to decide.

The powers to recommend and to provide advice to Council mean just that: the Committee itself cannot make decisions on any of the following things but they can recommend and advise on:

- priorities and preferences for input into the relevant reserve management plan processes and other Council policy processes

- priorities for expenditure, capital works projects and other proposals for TDC to consider including in its Annual Plans and Long Term Plans

- the granting of leases or licences

- the granting of a new contract for management of the Rec Park Centre, but only where there is a change to the service provider for the management contract

- matters related to the reinstatement of the Grandstand to public use, including final design, community engagement processes and fundraising

- opportunities for Council to apply for funding from external agencies which can be held by Council for application to projects to be undertaken at the Golden Bay Recreation Park (=the showgrounds).

The powers to decide give the Committee the power to actually make decisions on on the following things:

- approving the design and location of playground equipment, park furniture, fencing and landscape design plans

- writing letters of support for funding applications (funds to be held by the Council) to external organisations which can be applied to projects at the showgrounds

- granting consent for the removal of trees

So, as the Terms of Reference stand, it is a little difficult to reconcile them with the requirements of the ROLD Act which said that the council shall appoint a standing committee to be known as the Showgrounds Management Committee which shall have the management of the said land.

But at least it looks as if some effort is being made by TDC to acknowledge their pledge made in 1959 to the A&P. We have no doubt that there is still a long way to go before we can be sure that TDC will honour their legal requirements and endeavour not to forget them in the future.

For those who are unfamiliar with the history of how ownership of the showgrounds and buildings, including the Grandstand, was transferred to the Council here is a brief summary:

In 1959 the A&P association and the now-dissolved Takaka Cycling and Athletic Club gifted the land and buildings to the council along with £750 to be put towards their upgrade and maintenance. In return the A&P was pledged the ongoing right to use the land and buildings for the show and for storage of equipment for the show free of charge to the same extent as before the transfer. In addition, the Showgrounds Management Committee was to be formed to give the A&P and the Takaka Cycling and Athletic Club a say in the management of the land and buildings.

Since 1959 the A&P have had to remind the Council three times of their duties under the Act, first in 1974 and then in 1989.

Hopefully this third time will set in place processes that will prevent these duties from being forgotten again in the future. It would be to everyone's benefit.

We are not closing this petition until the Grandstand is once more in use. We will update you on any new developments.

As always, we thank you for your continued support.

Photo is of the Grandstand at the 2021 Golden Bay A&P Show