Decisions from today's Council meeting

The Christchurch City Council met in full today, with a number of decisions made following Committee recommendations.

Planning Committee recommendations were approved today by the full Council, including:

Urban Design Panel                                                                                                                                                      The Council approved the permanent establishment of the Urban Design Panel, which has been up and running since 2008 and has had a positive influence in promoting high-quality urban design outcomes in Christchurch. Local communities will have input into the Urban Design Panel process through community-developed design guidelines. Full funding for the Panel has been approved for the next three years, subject to deliberations for the 2012-2022 Long Term Plan.

Noble subdivision - judicial review of decision making process
The Council confirmed its previous resolution to not seek judicial review of its own decision on resource consents for Noble Investments Limited.

Central City Living Zones Review
The Council approved the terms of reference for a review of the living zones and special amenity areas in the Central City. The review is required by a statutory direction in the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan and the outcomes will be delivered to the Minister of Earthquake Recovery by 1 March 2013.

Community, Recreation and Culture Committee recommendations were approved today by the full Council, including:
 

ArtBox

Funding of $30,000 to support a project for artists displaced by the earthquakes in the Central City was approved today.

The ArtBox project involves a series of mobile, modular, steel-framed structures which provide flexible studio, retail and exhibition spaces, planned for the corner of St Asaph and Madras Streets. Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) and F3 Design are behind the project. CPIT has raised $525,000 for capital costs, including $80,000 from the Mayoral Relief Fund. Council funding of $30,000 approved today will cover a shortfall in operating expenses, so that CPIT can keep costs down for artists using ArtBox.

Geo-Domes in Hagley Park

The Christchurch Events Village Geo-Domes in Hagley Park will remain in place as an events venue until the end of June next year after the Council agreed to an extension of their use in the park. The domes have proved popular with the community, with more than 40 events held this year alone and an estimated 800,000 individual visits since the Christchurch Events Village opened in May 2011.

Funding for transitional and creative projects

A swifter process is now in place for approving grants under two new grant funds: the Creative Industries Support Fund and the Transitional City Projects Fund. The aim of both funds is to encourage earthquake recovery projects by being more responsive.

The shift means staff are able to approve requests under $15,000 and the Committee is given delegated authority to approve requests over $15,000 on behalf of the full Council. Public applications will be called for shortly and more information will be available for interested groups and individuals.