WELLINGTON WATER COMMITTEE - 3 June 2020
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WELLINGTON WATER COMMITTEE 28 May 2020 Order Paper for the meeting to be held in the ZOOM, on: Wednesday 3 June 2020 commencing at 10.00am Membership Cr J Brash Greater Wellington Regional Council Cr D Bassett (Chair) Hutt City Council Mayor A Baker Porirua City Council Mayor A Beijen South Wairarapa District Council Mayor W Guppy (Deputy Chair) Upper Hutt City Council Cr S Rush Wellington City Council Mr T Parai Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira Ms K Skelton Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika Cr J van Lier Greater Wellington Regional Council (Alternate) Deputy Mayor T Lewis Hutt City Council (Alternate) Cr R Leggett Porirua City Council (Alternate) Deputy Mayor G Emms South Wairarapa District Council (Alternate) Deputy Mayor H Swales Upper Hutt City Council (Alternate) Cr I Pannett Wellington City Council (Alternate) Ms N Solomon Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira (Alternate) Ms K Tamanui Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika (Alternate) For the dates and times of Council Meetings please visit www.huttcity.govt.nz
Wellington Water Committee Terms of Reference Purpose The Wellington Water Committee ("the Committee") is established to: Provide governance and leadership across issues which are related to the planning, delivery and management of water services to communities serviced by Wellington Water Limited; Provide governance oversight of Wellington Water Limited, including by exhibiting good governance practice; Provide a forum for the representatives of Wellington Water Limited's shareholders and mana whenua to meet, discuss and co-ordinate on relevant issues and, through their representatives, to exercise their powers; and Strive for consistency across all client councils so all customers receive a similar level of service. Status The Committee is, for the purposes of the Local Government Act 2002, a joint committee of the Lower Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, Upper Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council, and the Wellington Regional Council. Specific responsibilities The Committee's responsibilities are: Governance oversight responsibilities Shareholder and mana whenua governance oversight of Wellington Water Limited and of the network infrastructure for the delivery of bulk water, water reticulation, wastewater and stormwater services in the geographical areas of Wellington Water Limited's operations, including by: Receiving and considering the half-yearly and annual reports of Wellington Water Limited; Receiving and considering such other information from Wellington Water Limited as the Committee may request on behalf of the parties to the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement and/or receive from time to time; Undertaking performance and other monitoring of Wellington Water Limited; Considering and providing recommendations to the parties to the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement on proposals from Wellington Water Limited; Providing co-ordinated feedback, and recommendations as needed, on any matters requested by Wellington Water Limited or any of the parties to the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement; Providing recommendations to the parties to the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement regarding regional studies which the Shareholders need to be cognisant of; Providing recommendations to the parties to the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement regarding water conservation; Agreeing the annual Letter of Expectation to Wellington Water Limited; Receiving, considering and providing agreed feedback and recommendations to Wellington Water Limited on its draft statement of intent;
Receiving, considering and providing recommendations to the parties to the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement regarding Wellington Water Limited's final statement of intent. Agreeing when Shareholder meetings, or resolutions in lieu of Shareholder meetings, are required, without prejudice to Shareholder and Board rights to call meetings under Wellington Water Limited's constitution and; Seeking and interviewing candidates for Wellington Water Limited's Board as needed and recommending to the holders of Class A Shares appointments and/or removals of directors of Wellington Water Limited; Recommending the remuneration of directors of Wellington Water Limited; Monitoring the performance of the Board of Wellington Water Limited; and Providing recommendations to the parties to the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement regarding changes to these terms of reference, the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement and the constitution of Wellington Water Limited. Membership The membership of the Committee will be as specified in the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement. With the exception of the Committee Members nominated by the Mana Whenua Partners Entities, each appointee must be an elected member of the appointing Shareholder. Chairperson The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson will be elected by the Committee once all Committee members have been appointed. Quorum Subject to the below for Committee meetings to appoint directors of Wellington Water Limited, for a meeting of the Committee to have a quorum, a majority of Committee Members, or their appointed Alternates, must be present, and the number making up the majority must include at least an equal number of Shareholder appointed Committee Members as MWPE nominated Committee Members. Where the Committee is providing a forum for the Shareholders to meet and exercise their powers in relation to Wellington Water Limited, the requirements of Wellington Water Limited's constitution will prevail. Clause 11.3 of the company’s constitution provides that Directors shall be appointed and removed by the unanimous resolution of the Shareholders holding Class A Shares. For this matter the quorum for the Committee meeting is therefore attendance by all Committee Members (or their Alternates) for the holders of the Class A Shares. Alternates Each Committee Member appointed to the Committee must have an Alternate. Other Shareholder attendee Each Shareholder-appointed elected member Committee member will be entitled to invite an officer attendee to Committee meetings, provided however that the additional attendee will not have any voting rights on the Committee. Decision-making The Committee will strive to make all decisions by consensus.
In the event that a consensus on a particular matter before the Committee is not able to be reached, each Committee Member has a deliberative vote. In the situation where there is an equality of votes cast on a matter, the Chairperson does not have a casting vote and therefore the matter subject to the vote is defeated and the status quo is preserved. Other than for those matters for which the Committee has effective decision-making capacity through these Terms of Reference, each Shareholder retains its powers to make its own decisions on matters referred to it by the Committee and on matters specified in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement (for clarity, this means that only Shareholders have voting rights in relation to the matters specified in Part 1 of Schedule 2). Secretariat services Unless otherwise agreed from time to time by all of the elected member Committee Members, the Council for which the Chairperson is an elected member will provide secretariat services to the Committee. The Chairperson will be responsible for managing the agenda at Committee meetings. Standing Orders The Standing Orders of the Council providing secretariat services to the Committee will apply to Committee meetings, subject to the provisions for meeting quorum and decision making as set out in these terms of reference taking precedence. Remuneration Each Shareholder will be responsible for remunerating the elected member Committee Member appointed by it to the Committee, and their Alternate, for any costs associated with those persons' membership on the Committee. The Shareholders will also be responsible for remunerating (in equal shares) the Committee Members nominated by Mana Whenua Partner Entities, and their Alternates, and appointed to the Committee by the Shareholders, for any costs associated with those persons' membership on the Committee. Administration Reports to be considered by the Committee may be submitted by any of the Shareholders, any of the Mana Whenua Partner Entities, or Wellington Water Limited. Duration of the Committee In accordance with clause 30(7) of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Act 2002, the Committee is not deemed to be discharged following each triennial election.
Appendix Common delegations by Shareholders Governance oversight responsibilities Each Shareholder will delegate to the Committee the responsibilities and powers necessary to participate in and carry out the Committee's governance oversight responsibilities. Shareholders' responsibilities Each Shareholder will delegate to its appointed elected member Committee Member and, in accordance with these terms of reference, that person's Alternate, all responsibilities and powers in relation to the agreement of: O when Shareholder meetings, or resolutions in lieu of Shareholder meetings, are required (without prejudice to Shareholder and Board rights to call meetings under Wellington Water Limited's constitution); and o the appointment, removal and remuneration of Wellington Water Limited's directors.
WELLINGTON WATER COMMITTEE Meeting to be held in the ZOOM on Wednesday 3 June 2020 commencing at 10.00am. ORDER PAPER PUBLIC BUSINESS 1. APOLOGIES 2. PUBLIC COMMENT Generally up to 30 minutes is set aside for public comment (three minutes per speaker on items appearing on the agenda). Speakers may be asked questions on the matters they raise. 3. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have. 4. MINUTES Wellington Water Committee, 5 March 2020 11 5. COVID-19 AND THE IMPACT ON WELLINGTON WATER'S PERFORMANCE REPORTING FOR 2019-2020 (20/428) Report No. WWC2020/4/2 19 6. COMPANY UPDATE REPORT (20/434) Report No. WWC2020/4/3 43 7. UPDATE ON 2020/21 ANNUAL PLANS AND 2021/31 LTPS (20/435) Report No. WWC2020/4/4 49 8. A VALUE FOR MONEY FRAMEWORK FOR WELLINGTON WATER LTD (20/444) Report No. WWC2020/4/5 59 9. WELLINGTON WATER COMMITTEE'S GOVERNANCE REVIEW (20/459) Verbal Update from the Chair
8 03 June 2020 10. UPDATE ON THE BUSINESS CASE FOR WATER METERING (20/458) Verbal Update 11. GOVERNMENT'S THREE WATERS REVIEW (20/462) Verbal Update from the Chair and Deputy Chair 12. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LGNZ POLICY POSITION ON THREE WATERS SERVICE DELIVERY (20/469) Memorandum dated 27 May 2020 by the Head of Democratic Services 81 13. GENERAL BUSINESS (20/460) 14. EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC CHAIR'S RECOMMENDATION: “That the public be excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting, namely: 15. BOARD MEMBERSHIP (20/474) The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows: (A) (B) (C) General subject of the Reason for passing Ground under matter to be this resolution in section 48(1) for the considered. relation to each passing of this matter. resolution. Board Membership – The withholding of That the public Verbal Update the information is conduct of the necessary to protect relevant part of the the privacy of natural proceedings of the persons. (s7(2)(a)). meeting would be The withholding of likely to result in the the information is disclosure of necessary to maintain information for the effective conduct which good reason of public affairs for withholding exist. through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or two members or officers or employees.
9 03 June 2020 (s7(2)(f)(i)). This resolution is made in reliance on section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public are as specified in Column (B) above.” Kathryn Stannard HEAD OF DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
11 5 March 2020 WELLINGTON WATER COMMITTEE Minutes of a meeting held in the Greater Wellington Regional Council Chambers, 15 Walter Street, Te Aro, Wellington on Thursday 5 March 2020 commencing at 2.00pm PRESENT: Cr J Brash (GWRC) Cr D Bassett (HCC) (Chair) Mayor A Baker (PCC) Mayor A Beijen (SWDC) Mayor W Guppy (UHCC) (Deputy Chair) (until 2.20pm) Cr S Rush (WCC) Ms K Skelton (Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) APOLOGIES: There were no apologies. IN ATTENDANCE: Cr J van Lier (Alternate GWRC) Deputy Mayor T Lewis (Alternate HCC) Cr R Leggett (Alternate PCC) Deputy Mayor G Emms (Alternate SWDC) Cr I Pannett (Alternate WCC) Ms N Solomon (Alternate Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira) Ms K Tamanui (Alternate Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) Ms B McKerron, Chief Executive, Wellington City Council Ms N Wood, Greater Wellington Regional Council Mr S Mahorey, Greater Wellington Regional Council Ms S Gain, Greater Wellington Regional Council Ms W Walker, Chief Executive, Porirua City Council Ms J Long, Porirua City Council Mr D Baxter, City Engineer, Wellington City Council Mr M Ford, Chief Financial Officer, Wellington City Council Mr D Wright, Chair of Wellington Water Limited Mr C Crompton, Chief Executive, Wellington Water Limited Ms S Cuthbert, Principal Advisor, Wellington Water Limited Mr B Hodgins, Strategic Advisor, Hutt City Council Ms D Hunter, Acting Committee Advisor, Hutt City Council PUBLIC BUSINESS
12 5 March 2020 1. APOLOGIES An apology was received from Deputy Chair Mayor Guppy for early departure. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. 3. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS There were no conflict of interest declarations. 4. MINUTES RESOLVED: (Cr Bassett/Mayor Baker) Minute No. WWC 20201 “That the minutes of the meeting of the Wellington Water Committee held on Monday, 16 December 2019, be confirmed as a true and correct record.”
13 5 March 2020 5. WELLINGTON WATER GOVERNANCE REVIEW (20/185) Report No. WWC2020/2/63 by the Chief Executive, Porirua City Council. The Chair updated members on Wellington City Council establishing a Mayoral Taskforce to address the ongoing water issues as well as the Government announcement that there were likely to be changes in terms of the future management of the Three Waters. Cr Rush updated members regarding the taskforce scope. He advised that there had been an initial meeting of the Mayoral Taskforce and the scope of the review was still to be determined. He commented that it was the intention that any recommendations from the Mayoral Taskforce relating to the other shareholders would be addressed through the Wellington Water Committee. In response to questions from members, the Chief Executive of Wellington City Council confirmed that the likely scope of the review was to inquire into specific problems relating to water issues in Wellington. She also advised that it was to identify initiatives to address these issues by recommending an action plan to Wellington City Council. She stated that an initial report was expected by the beginning of June to inform their Annual Plan deliberations. The Chief Executive, Porirua City Council elaborated on the report. She acknowledged that Government had launched a major review to tackle New Zealand’s Three Water issues relating to wastewater, stormwater and drinking water. In response to questions from members, the Chief Executive, Porirua City Council reiterated that the issue still outstanding was the need to position Wellington Water Ltd for the future, particularly in light of the Government’s Water Reform Package. The Chair foreshadowed a revised recommendation (iv) as follows: (iv) “That the Committee instructs the case manager for Wellington Water to prepare a terms of reference for a governance review that positions Wellington Water for the future and includes scope, key issues, service delivery options and methodology for undertaking the review noting that approval for this will be sought by circulating the draft to members of this committee.” RESOLVED: (Cr Bassett/Mayor Guppy) Minute No. WWC 20202 “That the Committee: (i) receives the information; (ii) notes the outcomes of the workshop held on 10 February 2020 to address Governance issues raised in the previous triennium; (iii) notes the mechanisms available to each shareholding Council and mana whenua members to hold the Wellington Water company to account (letter of expectation, statement of intent, and key performance indicators in the context of an active working relationship); and
14 5 March 2020 (iv) instructs the case manager for Wellington Water to prepare a terms of reference for a governance review that positions Wellington Water for the future and includes scope, key issues, service delivery options and methodology for undertaking the review noting that approval for this will be sought by circulating the draft to members of this committee.” Mayor Guppy left the meeting at 2.20pm. 6. DRAFT HALF YEAR REPORT 2019/20 (20/214) Memorandum dated 2 March 2020 by Wellington Water Ltd Mr Wright, Board Chair Wellington Water Ltd (WWL) elaborated on the memorandum. He noted that WWL had made good progress towards its goals and overall performance with some noteworthy results and acknowledged some results that could be better. He highlighted South Wairarapa District Council becoming a six shareholder Council as well as welcoming iwi partners around the table. In response to questions from members, the Chief Executive, WWL advised that WWL had KPIs in its Statement of Intent, another KPI with Department of Internal Affairs and in shareholding Councils Long Term Plans. He noted that an external audit would be undertaken on fianncial and non fianncial issues. He confirmed that they were collaborating with Greater Wellington Regional Council in regard to flood management studies. RESOLVED: (Cr Bassett/Cr Rush) Minute No. WWC 20203 “That the Committee receives the Half Year Report 2019/20 for the six months ended 31 December 2019 attached as Appendix 1 to the memorandum.”
15 5 March 2020 7. WELLINGTON WATER LTD'S DRAFT STATEMENT OF INTENT 2020-23 (20/210) Report No. WWC2020/2/70 by Wellington Water Ltd Mr Wright, Board Chair of Wellington Water Ltd (WWL) elaborated on the memorandum. He commented that over the past four months, WWL had been reviewing its performance measures by developing a comprehensive framework dirven by business expertise and experience. In response to questions from members, the Chief Executive, WWL confirmed that changes had been made to their performance framework as part of their commitment to becoming a high performing organisation and the journey of continual improvement. RESOLVED: (Cr Bassett/Cr Brash) Minute No. WWC 20204 “That the Committee receives, considers and provides feedback on Wellington Water Ltd’s draft Statement of Intent by Friday, 17 April 2020.” 8. COMPANY UPDATE REPORT (20/208) Report No. WWC2020/2/71 Wellington Water Ltd Mr Wright, Board Chair of Wellington Water Ltd (WWL) elaborated on the memorandum. In response to questions from members, the Chief Executive, WWL advised that they were currently in the middle of Stage One. He also advised that they had engaged Water Industry Commission for Scotland to peer review their work and provide independent advice back to individual Councils. RESOLVED: (Cr Bassett/Mayor Beijen) Minute No. WWC 20205 “That the Committee receives and notes the information.”
16 5 March 2020 9. WELLINGTON WATER COMMITTEE DRAFT UPDATE FOR COUNCILS (20/209) Report No. WWC2020/2/72 by Wellington Water Ltd Mr Wright, Board Chair of Wellington Water Ltd elaborated on the report. RESOLVED: (Cr Bassett/Cr Brash) Minute No. WWC 20206 “That the Committee: (i) approves the draft Wellington Water Committee Update report; and (ii) authorises the Chair to finalise the Wellington Water Committee Update report and forwarding it to each Council.” 10. LONG TERM PLANS UPDATE (20/215) Report No. WWC2020/2/73 by Wellington Water Ltd Mr Wright, Board Chair of Wellington Water Ltd (WWL) elaborated on the report. The Chief Executive, WWL commented that this would be the first time that WWL would be presenting proposed Long Term Plan programmes that would indicate rates impacts to each council shareholder. He stated that this would enable the region’s ratepayers to better understand the impact of the investment required to achieve the desired long term outcomes. RESOLVED: (Cr Bassett/Cr Rush) Minute No. WWC 20207 “That the Committee: (i) receives the report; and (ii) notes that Wellington Water Ltd will work across our client councils to help them to reach agreement on regional Long Term Plan investment priorities such as those for bulk water and jointly-owned wastewater systems.”
17 5 March 2020 11. CLIMATE CHANGE (20/217) Report No. WWC2020/2/74 by Wellington Water Ltd RESOLVED: (Cr Brash/Mayor Beijen) Minute No. WWC 20208 “That the Committee: (i) notes the report; (ii) provides feedback on the proposed response programme and its alignment to shareholding councils’ climate change strategies and action plans; and (ii) notes proposed emission reduction targets and the associated investment needs will be included in all of council Long Term Plan proposals an consolidated for presentation to the Committee at its June meeting.” 12. SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY POLICY (20/218) Report No. WWC2020/2/29 by Wellington Water Ltd Cr Brash advised that the Greater Regional Council (GWRC) was devlopng a business case for the five client world. She asked for support from members for this to continue. She stated that a business case would be reported back to Wellington Water Ltd. Ms Solomon commented that whilst building the business case, GWRC needed to consider how water metering would impact on the Maori community, in particular significant iwi maraes, where the water useage was different. Ms Skelton reiterated that GWRC needed to take into account the long running affordability for people around the most vulunerable and poorest areas of our communities. RESOLVED: (Cr Bassett/Mayor Beijen) Minute No. WWC 20209 “That the Committee: (i) notes the report; (ii) provides feedback on, and endorses in principle, the target and policy; and (iii) discusses the implications of the current shortfall in the drought resilience level of service and the absence of data and information to support residential water use efficiency.”
18 5 March 2020 13. DRAFT SUBMISSION ON TAUMATA AROWAI BILL (20/211) Report No. WWC2020/2/28 by Wellington Water Ltd RESOLVED: (Cr Bassett/Cr Brash) Minute No. WWC 20210 “That the Committee: (i) receives and notes the draft submission on the Taumata Arowai Bill attached as Appendix 1 to the report; (ii) approves the submission subject to feedback from the members; and (iii) asks the Chair to forward the submission to the Health Committee.” 14. GENERAL BUSINESS (20/211) The Chair advised the following: (i) Issues relating to fees for Committee members, in particular iwi representatives, had been resolved. (ii) The Chief Executive of Porirua City Council and he had been invited to join the New Zealand Minister of Local Government to travel to Hobart to meet with Tasmania Water. The focus of the four day visit was to discuss how they would move from 29 local authorities to form one entity to run and manage Tasmania Water. This visit was expected to take place between 31 March 2020 to 3 April 2020. Cr Rush advised that he was now unable to attend the trip because Wellington City Council was unable to get travel insurance due to coronavirus. In closing, the Chair acknowledged the challenging time for water management in the Wellington area. He wanted to thank all parties for getting together to discuss playing a key role in moving forward. He thanked Wellington Water Limited staff who had worked tirelessly for the past few months in challenging times. There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 3.45pm. Cr D Bassett CHAIR CONFIRMED as a true and correct record Dated this 3rd day of June 2020
19 03 June 2020 Wellington Water Committee 20 May 2020 File: (20/428) Report no: WWC2020/4/2 COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Appendices No. Title Page 1⇩ Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work 20 Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019- 20 2⇩ Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid 29 DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Page 19 Performance Reporting for 2019-2020
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019-20 Covid-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water’s Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Purpose 1. To provide an overview of the changes to the company’s work programme due to Covid-19 and the consequential impact on end of year reporting as well as seek a one month extension for the delivery of the company’s Statement of Intent. Recommendation 2. It is recommended that the Water Committee: a) Notes the company’s refocus on critical front line services due to Covid-19, the central government requirement to only undertake essential services during level 4 alert, and the resulting impact that stopped or scaled back work will have on performance reporting for the 2019/2020 financial year. b) Notes the company is developing its Statement of Intent for 2020-23 and alignment will need to occur with the councils’ 2020/2021 annual plans. c) Notes a report has been forward to each shareholder council to seek approval to extend the deadline for delivery of Wellington Water’s final Statement of Intent 2020-23 by 1 calendar month (to 31 July 2020) in accordance with the Local Government Act 2002. DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 20
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019-20 Attachment Appendix 2: Impact of Covid-19 on Statement of Intent performance measures Summary 2. Due to Covid-19, there has been a need to refocus Wellington Water’s resources on the front line to ensure continuity of service to the community and people are kept safe. The Alert 4 lock down has meant we have been restricted in terms of the work we can do as an essential services provider. 3. We have reviewed our work, including capex projects, in light of set criteria that has been shared with central government, and all non-critical work has been stopped or scaled back to the bare minimum. As a result, we have reassessed the company’s short to medium term priorities and our focus during Level 4 lock-down has been on: Safeguarding the welfare of staff and suppliers Duplicating the front line Reconfirming the capex programmes of work Revising the Long Term Plan programme of work Completing the implementation of the performance management system, including Maximo. DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 21
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019-20 4. The reprioritisation of work will have an impact on our year end performance reporting. We will still be able to report our performance against our measures except for around five measures where we will not have the data available. For around 40 per cent of our measures, the end of year result will be affected in some way due to stopping or scaling back work. 5. Given the unknowns around the Covid-19 restrictions, we are seeking a 1 calendar month extension from each shareholder council for completion and delivery of the SOI to the councils from 30 June to 31 July 2020. There has been a need to refocus the organisation 3. Due to Covid-19, and the Government’s imposed alert levels, we have refocused the organisation to reinforce our ability to continue to deliver front line services and keep our people safe from the risks posed by the virus, while at the same time, ensuring that we deliver only the most critical services as an essential services provider. 4. Our approach has been to redirect resources within the organisation and apply them to the most critical areas of front line services, including our network and water and wastewater treatment plants, our customer operations group as well as other critical services within the business such as payroll and accounts. 5. Our effort in the field is focused on keeping our treatment plants running and attending to jobs that pose the greatest risk to the continuity of services to our communities. This approach applies to operations and maintenance work as well as renewals and upgrades. Our response to any arising network emergencies will continue as usual. We will attend to urgent repairs that result in an outage to customers or sewage spillage while holding back on routine jobs. DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 22
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019-20 We have had to scale back our capex work to essential work only 6. In response to the Covid-19 Level 4 lock-down by the New Zealand Government, we were required to stop all non-essential work. To assist in determining which capex projects were most essential, we prioritised the projects in our 2019/2020 construction programme and made decisions on which projects were critical, and closed down all other sites. 7. We used a set of four criteria to prioritise the work. The criteria were selected to be consistent with the company’s Service Goals as well as the central government’s goals. The criteria were: a) Safe and Healthy Water b) Public Health – in the Covid-19 environment this is ‘safe homes and streets’ c) Enhancing the Environment – for instance, safe disposal of wastewater into the environment d) Any activity that if shut down would make the situation worse. 8. These criteria have been applied to the planned operational capex as well as our renewals and upgrades. Based on the criteria, we have grouped the work into three categories: a) Critical – will proceed as an essential service b) Urgent – able to be stopped and to recommence as soon as practicable (subject to availability of staff and resources), and c) Stop – not critical, not urgent. Will recommence once construction activity is permitted to resume as normal. DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 23
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019-20 We have reassessed the company’s short to mid-term priorities 9. As a result of the current alert level and the requirements around providing essential services only, we reviewed the company’s most important priorities in order to assess where work could be stopped or scaled back. Our aim was to free up resources to provide for duplication at the front line as well as to ensure people’s safety. 10. The company’s short to mid-term priorities have been assessed as follows: Company priority Comment 1 Safeguarding the welfare of staff and suppliers Our focus is to ensure the front line can work safely. This includes implementing social distancing approaches, keeping vulnerable people away from the front line and appropriate use of PPE. We will ensure back-ups are in place for all key roles so that staff feel they can take sick leave if they are feeling unwell. We are making sure our people’s wellbeing is supported when working remotely. We are also conscious of supporting our supply chain over this period and have implemented a policy to continue paying our suppliers to advance cash flow. 2 Duplication to the front line We have had twice the critical resource required available on the front line (excluding any personnel who are considered vulnerable). We continue to redeploy people within DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 24
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019-20 the organisation to the most critical areas. 3 Reconfirm the 2019/20 programme, set the 2020/21 The 19/20 capex work programme was stopped except for seven critical projects during capex plan and set the 2021/24 tactical programme Level 4. We have reviewed which projects can be started up once restrictions are lifted. with a focus on renewals For 2020/21, our focus will be on completing the renewals which have been delayed due to the impact of the Dixon St and Mt Albert events and the Covid-19 restrictions. All councils will be reconsidering their annual plans in light of a reduction in revenue and restricted ability to raise rates. 4 Long Term Plan Revised programme Covid-19 has changed the basis for our early signals long term plan advice and we will be re-thinking our approach. We will continue to support councils in their thinking and have completed a draft presentation to PCC and HCC for their discussions with central government. There may be an opportunity to support broader economic stimulus objectives. 5 Performance Management System & Maximo We will continue to strengthen the company’s performance management system to ensure robust non-financial reporting. This will include implementing Maximo to improve data capture for some of our time specific measures. DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 25
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019-20 Redirecting resources and undertaking only essential work will have an impact on our non-financial performance reporting 11. To respond to the current challenges we have had to either stop or scale back business as usual work for Quarter 4. This means we will not be able to deliver on some of our promises set out in the Statement of Intent 2019-2022 (SOI). 12. By stopping work in some areas, we will not have the requisite data to be able to report against some of the SOI measures. For other measures, we will have the data and be able to report but we will not reach the agreed target. 13. Our general approach is to report where we can and tell the whole story. We will undertake our customer satisfaction survey and stakeholder surveys to enable our ability to report. These surveys were released in April and will take a couple of months to complete. 14. A list of our impacted SOI measures are set out in Attachment 2. A summary of the impact is as follows: Number of SOI measures that are impacted due to stopping or scaling back work 17 Number of SOI measures that won’t be able to be reported against at year end due to 5 reprioritisation Number of SOI measures that are not impacted by the reprioritisation of work 28 DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 26
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019-20 15. While our non-financial performance will be affected by the Covid-19 situation, it’s unclear at this stage how this will unfold. At this stage, our people are still well and particularly due to the duplication approach, we are confident in our ability to deliver on the critical activities. 16. The Department of Internal Affairs measures are not part of the 2019-2022 SOI and therefore will not be included in the annual report. However, we will report against them as part of the quarterly reporting to councils. Approximately half of the measures are expected to be impacted by our reprioritisation of work; however, there is an opportunity to mitigate this impact. For example, we are deprioritising any non-urgent repairs so our response and resolution times are expected to deteriorate. However, as we duplicate our critical staffing levels, there is potential to increase productivity while our people remain healthy and road traffic is at a minimum. Looking ahead to resuming normal operations and the Statement of Intent 17. While at this stage we don’t know how long the Covid-19 restrictions will be in place, we are continuing to think about how we will resume normal operations. 18. The stopping or scaling back of work that can’t be done under the Covid-19 category levels will mean the work is deferred to the 2020/2021 financial year. This will have an impact on the draft SOI which is currently being finalised. 19. There is a statutory duty for the completed SOI to be delivered to the councils by the beginning of the new financial year. 20. The Water Committee’s governance oversight responsibilities include “receiving, considering and providing recommendations to the parties to the Shareholders and Partnership Agreement regarding Wellington Water Limited’s final statement of intent”. DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 27
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Re prioritisation of Wellington Water s Work Programme Due to Covid-10 and Impact on Performance for 2019-20 21. Due to recent amendments to the Local Government Act 2002 (clause 4, Schedule 8) the shareholding councils can agree to extend the SOI deadlines by up to 1 calendar month. Given the unknowns around the Covid-19 restrictions, we are seeking from the shareholder councils a 1 month extension for completion of the SOI 2020-2023 from 30 June to 31 July 2020. This would ensure the SOI reflects the priorities set out in the councils’ annual plans. 22. A report has been forwarded to the councils for their approval of the extension. 23. Audit NZ has also informed us they will be completing their annual report audits for local government within broader timeframes. In the event this affects our ability to deliver our annual report within the statutory deadline, we will apply for an exemption from the Office of the Auditor General. DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 28
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid Impact of Covid-19 on Statement of Intent non-financial performance measures Stop Report/Don’t Rationale work/ report continue during SOI 2019 Measures Level 3-4 Measure Number SOI Measure Target Our customers will feel Continue Report confident that the drinking-water we provide is safe because 1 we’ll maintain compliance with the Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand Compliant DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 29
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid Our customers will not be Continue Report exposed to any public health risks because we’ll
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid Stop Report We are stopping our work in reducing Our customers will water usage and we reduce the amount of are stopping our water they are using at education home because they have Percentage of people surveyed messages. the information they need who had seen and understood to be able to make nominated education messages The survey goes out informed decisions and within same financial year: >27 in April. 5 change their behaviours per cent Our customers will be Continue Report able to enjoy our region's beaches because we’ll improve the number of Total number of days monitored days that monitored beaches are closed is at most beaches (between 1 five November and 31 March) are available for 6 swimming Identify potential intervention Stop Don’t report We are stopping our strategies work to improve Our customers will feel water quality. We will confident that our not have the data to region’s waterways are Select a receiving environment set a baseline. not adversely affected by water quality improvement our services because project (i.e. an urban stream) we’ll monitor and apply and assess it against effective methods to intervention manage and improve 7 water-quality Monitor urban stream water- DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 31
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid quality to set baseline Our customers’ homes Continue Report The target won’t be and businesses will be achieved due to protected from flooding Pinehaven and because we’ll reduce the Kilbrinie projects not number of habitable proceeding – this is floors that are predicted 1 per cent reduction year on not due to to be flooded by a 1:100- year (in the area modelled at reprioritisation. 8 year flood event the start of year) 5 per cent of households with Stop Report We are temporarily Our customers will be 140+ litres of potable water ceasing the resilient in the event of a stored per person education natural disaster because programme so we’ll improve the number Set a baseline for the achieving the target of households that have percentage of households that may be impacted. drinking-water stored and have appropriate wastewater have a plan for the safe solutions disposal of their 9 wastewater Our customers will have Continue Report positive interactions with us because we’ll measure and improve >80 per cent of surveyed their customer customers rate us good, very 10 experience satisfaction good, or excellent DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 32
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid Our customers will feel Continue Report valued because we’ll improve their customer 50 per cent of complaints experience satisfaction resolved within 10 days by acknowledging problems with level of 80 per cent of complaints service and working to resolved within 30 days resolve them within 11 acceptable timeframes Our customers will be Continue Report kept safe because our work sites will be safe and result in no members Zero incidents reported to us, of the public being our supply chain, or client 12 harmed councils Our customers will get a Stop Don’t report Work has been better understanding of deferred until the where their water rates new financial year so money is being spent we won’t meet the because we’ll improve target. the transparency of the cost per connection of Analyse results and explore 13 our services implications Our customers will feel Stop Don’t report Work has been confident we’re creating deferred until the value for money because new financial year so we’ll maintain our assets Normalise results across we won’t have the at a sustainable level councils and look for a regional data to work out a 14 now and in the future proxy regional proxy. DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 33
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid Our customers will feel Stop Report Carbon emissions confident we’re working work has been to understand and stopped so we will reduce our carbon not meet the target. emissions because we’ll Our consultants will have a verifiable target Baseline carbon emissions continue do some for reduced operational inventory complete and certified work in the emissions and a plan for emissions management and background. 15 achieving that target reduction plan in place Minimising carbon emissions Stop Report This work has been study completed through stopped so we will setting initial reduction target not meet the set and action plan targets. Complete flood and flood management study Resilience study completed through gap analysis to identify actions necessary to achieve resilience service levels across the three waters for all customers, and associated action plan Recommended approaches for We’ll better understand sustainable drinking water future service needs by supply, wastewater sludge completing Future management and receiving- 16 Services Studies environment water-quality DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 34
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid submitted to smart investment process for prioritisation, alongside other initiatives (together with relevant actions from carbon-emission reduction and service resilience actions plans) Continue Report Won’t hit the target We’ll make sure future due to the Covid-19 growth is supported by Network delivery plans disruption to work. having well thought-out developed for identified growth 17 network delivery plans cells (at least five) We’ll understand how our Continue Report current networks perform and plan for growth by completing our three water networks modelling 18 programme 66 per cent complete We’ll build our Continue Report Will undertake relationships with survey in April. developers by improving their satisfaction with the advice and services we 19 offer 65 per cent satisfaction Continue Report We’ll meet all environmental consent requirements in the 20 delivery of our services Fully compliant DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 35
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid Continue Report Some projects We’ll safeguard our relating to the water drinking-water by Service delivery improvements safety plan have completing our regional arising from the WSP prioritised been stopped. 21 Water Safety Plan (WSP) and implemented We’ll supply wholesome Continue Report drinking water at an acceptable standard (taste, clarity, and odour) by maintaining 22 satisfaction < 550 complaints We’ll minimise the impact Continue Report of sludge odour and landfill disposal by maintaining minimal Landfill bind have dry solids 23 water content content of > 50 per cent All customer enquiries are Continue Report tracked and responded to We’ll own customer calls within 60 minutes end-to-end (by partnering up with our client council 95 per cent of customer call centres) and manage enquiries raised are resolved customers’ expectations within the level of service by embedding our (Priority 1-3) timeframes customer behaviours 24 throughout our business DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 36
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid We’ll be reliable in the Stop Report Only critical work will delivery of our renewals proceed so the SOI and capital works target will not be programmes by reached. completing planned work 95-105 per cent of planned 25 within timeframes work completed Stop Report Due to Quarter 4 not being BAU, the full We’ll work with our year result will not be Contractor Panel to be a reflection of cost-effective by efficiency. A decreasing the cost per conversation needs kilometre of laying pipes to be had with Audit in real terms (adjusted for 5 per cent reduction year on- NZ as to how to 26 inflation) year report. We’ll work with our Stop Report Due to Quarter 4 not Consultant Panel to being BAU, the full improve efficiency by year result will not be reducing costs (from the a reflection of current 15 per cent of efficiency. A average fees per total conversation needs construction costs) and to be had with Audit lifting our internal Reduce (simple projects) to 14 NZ as to how to 27 capabilities per cent report. Pinehaven Stream (complete Stop Report Some projects have detailed design, consenting, been stopped so we We’ll complete major commence construction) won’t achieve stormwater projects: targets. Pinehaven Stream; Porirua Stage 1 (complete 28 Porirua; and Kilbirnie detailed design, commence DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 37
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid construction) Porirua network improvements Stop Report Some projects have (complete concept design) been stopped so we won’t achieve Karori network improvements targets. (complete concept design) We’ll complete major wastewater projects: Seaview seismic strengthening Seaview; Porirua; and (complete construction) 29 Karori Omāroro (complete detailed Stop Report Some projects have design and consenting, been stopped so we continue construction) won’t achieve targets. Moe-i-te-Rā (commence consenting) Aotea (complete consenting) Silverstream (complete detailed We’ll complete major design and consenting) drinking-water projects: Omāroro; Moe-i-te-Rā; Cross-Harbour Pipeline 30 Aotea; and Silverstream (complete concept design) DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 38
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid We’ll respond to Stop Don’t report We will not customer issues conduct/record following a significant customer call backs event (flooding, during emergency earthquake, landslip, situations in Q3, major service failure) by therefore will not keeping an accurate have any data to record of all issues that report this measure. occur and working through them with our >90 per cent customer customers within agreed experience satisfaction 31 timeframes (measured through call-backs) Stop Don’t report We will not be We’ll grow the water focussing on this sector’s capabilities by work for Q4. increasing technical 32 capability in our region Meet set targets We’ll build a customer Stop Report We are temporarily culture by developing stopping the consistent customer customer behaviours behaviours and work so will not embedding these achieve the target. behaviours in our 86 per cent of all staff know company and the how their work affects 33 Alliance customers We will understand Percentage of our people Continue Report employee wellness by aware [of our] wellness developing and running a initiatives increases year on quarterly wellness survey year 34 that measures DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 39
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid awareness, participation, Percentage of our people [that] and satisfaction with our participate [in] our wellness wellness initiatives initiatives increases year on year Percentage of our people [who are] satisfied with our wellness initiatives increases year on year We will improve the Stop Report We are progressing health and safety of our the second critical people by reviewing two risk for the year health and safety critical (fatigue). If we return risks per year and to BAU in late April/ applying controls to Improved controls progress early May, we should manage risks to an reported our Senior Leadership be able to achieve 35 acceptable level Team and the Board this result. We’ll focus on gender Continue Report We know the target equality by removing will not be met but barriers to workforce not due to participation to enable reprioritisation. more gender equity in all functions in the >35 per cent gender balance in 36 organisation functional roles We’ll maintain our rating Continue Report as trusted advisor by working with our five client councils to build 37 strong relationships Maintain trusted advisor rating DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 40
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid We’ll improve our Continue Report relationship with our mana whenua partners by improving their satisfaction with their ability to influence our decisions on future 38 services 65 per cent satisfaction We’ll improve our Continue Report relationship with our Customer Panel by improving its satisfaction with its ability to influence 39 our future services 65 per cent satisfaction We’ll build our Continue Report relationship with our suppliers by improving their satisfaction with how easy we are to work 40 with 65 per cent satisfaction We’ll make sure that our Continue Report services support and align with our client councils’ Long-term >90 per cent alignment and Plans by delivering on achievement of agreed 41 agreed outcomes outcomes DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 41
Attachment 2 Appendix 2 SOI measures impact of Covid We’ll deliver on what we Continue Report set out to do by completing capital projects that meet the 10 per cent sample requirements of the demonstrates >95 per cent 42 project design briefs achievement Implementation of Alliance Continue Report delivering agreed outcomes We’ll deliver our service from 31 July 2019 delivery strategy by implementing the Implementation of Contractor Alliance, implementing Panel delivering agreed the Contractor Panel, outcomes from 31 July 2019 and introducing a consolidated wastewater Start phased implementation of treatment plant (WTP) new WTP contract 43 contract Continue Report We’ll create value for money by delivering two Smart Services ideas Two Smart Service ideas 44 each year delivered We’ll better support the Continue Report delivery of our services by identifying where we Simplification programme plan can streamline and in place simplify our systems 45 (subject to funding) Delivery in line with plan DEM15-6-1 - 20/428 - COVID-19 and the Impact on Wellington Water's Performance Reporting for 2019-2020 Page 42
43 03 June 2020 Wellington Water Committee 21 May 2020 File: (20/434) Report no: WWC2020/4/3 Company Update Report Appendices No. Title Page 1⇩ Appendix 1 Company Update Report May 2020 44 DEM15-6-1 - 20/434 - Company Update Report Page 43
Attachment 1 Appendix 1 Company Update Report May 2020 Wellington Water Committee Company Update Report Purpose 1. To give the Wellington Water Committee an overview of the matters most important to the ongoing performance of the company. Attachments 2. There are no attachments. Covid-19 3. On the 24th of March 2020, New Zealand went into lockdown to prevent the community transmission of the Covid-19 virus. On the 14th of May 2020, New Zealand emerged from lockdown (and level 3) into level 2 which can be generally described as “getting back to some normality” with all the new health and safety requirements in place. 4. The company is an essential service provider. Under the threat of Covid-19 we paused the company, reassessed our priorities and put all our efforts into supporting our frontline people who were operating the treatment plants working on the networks or delivering critical projects. 5. To assure our council owners we could continue to provide all our services should there be community transmission, we duplicated the number of frontline workers undertaking critical activities and those backing them up in the office (virtual office). As it turned out the virus was kept in check, our staff remained healthy and we kept delivering the services. We also made some in-roads into the backlog of service requests we are carrying so we should see some improvement in response times when we report these both at the end of Q4 and for the entire year in our Annual Report. 6. While we only attended to critical projects over the lockdown period we released additional waves of projects as we stepped down through level 4 to level 2. All projects are now “live again”. We have estimated the holding costs of the lockdown on projects and reported these to council owners together with any carryovers caused by the 6-8 week hiatus. 7. We have started to re-occupy the IBM building but we are careful in doing so. We have all learnt a number of lessons from the lockdown including the benefits of new tools like “Zoom” and “Microsoft Teams” and the additional productivity some staff can get from working at home. We are determined to lock in some of these lessons into a more flexible way of working and trusting our people to deliver the work. 8. We are now focused on the planning for the 20/21 financial year and delivering to you our best advice for your 21/31 Long Term Plan (LTP). Overall we will lose about three months of the year to Covid-19 and we explain the impact this will have on our end of year performance reporting against the 2019/20 Statement of Intent (SOI). DEM15-6-1 - 20/434 - Company Update Report Page 44
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