WAITOMO District councillors have acted against staff advice and the council’s own strategy to deny funding to the Maru Energy Trust programme of creating healthier homes in the King Country.
The trust was seeking $30,000 from the council this year and a similar amount in the next three years to accelerate its programme of insulating homes and installing heat pumps.
Council community services general manager Helen Beever said at the November 28 meeting, the $30,000 sought was available as the community grants fund was under-subscribed. In future years the trust would have to apply for contestable funding, she said.
Councillor Gavin Todd does not consider it is the council’s role to insulate houses.
“I don’t think it’s Lines Company role either, but that’s beside the point. It’s all very well to say that if we put $30,000 in, it attracts money from other sources. Well, they can put theirs in anyway.” he said.
“I don’t think its council’s role to insulate houses, especially privately owned houses that can be sold the next day.”
Allan Goddard said Maru Energy Trust was doing a lot of good in the community through insulating houses for people on low incomes who couldn’t afford to do it.
“And there are a whole lot of health benefits from insulating and putting in heat pumps,” Allan said.
Most of Maru Trust’s funds came from the EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), which drew upon levies collected from the road transport fuel, electricity and gas sectors, he said.
“And what the trust does is top up the extra because EECA doesn’t actually fund 100%,” Allan said.
“We’ve rated a certain amount of money for grants, we haven’t actually given it all out, so we do have the capacity there to use that money for grants.
“This is a good charitable organisation doing good out in the community and is going to support and lead to health benefits in the community.
“So, where I sit is, it is a one off that we should be granting. Next year they can fight it out for the contestable fund.”
Dan Tasker said he was grappling with the conflict.
Although Gavin said it was not the council’s business, it was in the council’s strategy.
Outcome 2 of the Waitomo District Council Strategy states: “Our aim in Waitomo is to provide affordable, healthy homes that improve the well-being of our community.
These homes are cost-effective to maintain, free from dampness and mould, and support good health. We believe that the quality of homes directly impacts personal health, and we strive to ensure the highest level of well-being for our residents.”
Mayor John Robertson asked for a resolution. Allan Goddard put the recommended resolution, that council approve the $30,000 grant. It failed for want of a seconder.
Janette Osborne earlier declared a conflict of interest as she was trustee of the Maru Energy Trust and did not vote or take part in the discussion.
A report in the King Country News last week on January 25, incorrectly stated the grant had been approved.
