Council meeting catering costs $33,000 in three years

A typical spread at a council committee meeting taken during Annual Plan hearings. Photo/Matthew Martin

Elected members of the Rotorua Lakes Council have eaten more than $33,000 worth of lunches and morning and afternoon teas in the past three years but the amount is less than other surrounding councils and is being described as "appropriate".

The topic has been in the news recently after Hutt City councillors tucked into a ratepayer-funded buffet during night-time meetings, leading one fed-up councillor to call for his colleagues to bring their lunch or pay for catering themselves.

Hutt City councillor Campbell Barry put forward a motion for councillors to provide their own meals but the motion was voted down by his colleagues.

The Rotorua Lakes Council has confirmed, following a request by the Rotorua Daily Post, that it spent $33,157.50 during the three years to May 25 on catering for all councillors' meetings. Based on those figures, the average cost a year for the past three years has been $11,052.

Council governance and partnership manager Oonagh Hopkins said the council reviewed its catering budget each year and checked the budget was cost effective and met the dietary requirements of councillors.

She said the council's caterer also serviced its cafe and provided two options to councillors during their meetings which were a light refreshment, either morning tea or afternoon tea, and lunch.

Light refreshments are provided at a cost of $5 each and cover the cost of either tea or coffee and a snack, fruit, scone or biscuits. Lunch is also provided to councillors if they have deliberated for at least three hours. Lunch is provided at a cost of $18 each and includes five items such as a drink, piece of fruit and a sandwich.

"Catering for council meetings is evolving to reflect changing dietary needs and has slowly started introducing healthier snack options such as vegetarian as well as gluten, dairy and wheat free options," Ms Hopkins said in a statement.

The council's budget was less than the Western Bay of Plenty District Council's which was $52,000 for the 2016/17 financial year. For the same period the Tauranga City Council budget was $28,000 and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council budget was $15,000.

Deputy mayor Dave Donaldson said he believed the amount the council spent was appropriate.

He said the food provided had become "a lot less elaborate" than when he first joined the council in 2007, when alcohol was provided following some night meetings.

He said some food and drink was appropriate given councillors were required to maintain their concentration and energy levels for several hours, especially if going from one meeting to another.

"These meetings are quite draining and tension-laden, you can come out of them feeling quite drained . . . The catering that is provided is absolutely appropriate."

Mr Donaldson said although he had never consumed alcohol, "way back in the day" alcohol used to be served to councillors after meetings. However, now it was only supplied at events such as Christmas functions.

Mr Donaldson said it was not only councillors who were fed as the meetings often included guests giving presentations and it was "entirely appropriate" to offer them a hot drink and something to eat.

Rotorua Lakes Council meetings catering
- $33,157.50 over the past three years to May 25 (average of $11,052 a year)
- Morning or afternoon teas $5 a person including drink and a snack (fruit, scone or biscuit)
- Lunch $18 a person including five items such as drink, fruit and a sandwich.