Final decision on Easter trading expected

Councillor Tania Tapsell was the only person to oppose the council's Easter Sunday trading policy. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua businesses will know by lunchtime Monday if they will be allowed to open this Easter Sunday.

Rotorua Lakes Council is set to make its final decision on its Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy at a meeting being held in the council chamber from 9.30am Monday.

Councillors will also discuss the adoption of a Draft Digital Strategic Plan, that will go out for public consultation if approved, along with the replacement of the Rotorua District Library's mobile library, and the appointment of a councillor to the Rural Community Board.

Councillor Tania Tapsell was the only councillor to vote against the Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy during the committee state.

If it is given the green light Rotorua will be the first in the country to take advantage of changes made to the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 to allow local councils to have a policy to permit shops to open on Easter Sundays.

The changes do not apply to Good Friday, for which current trading restrictions will remain, and will apply across the entire district.

The council will also make its final decision regarding a recommendation to disband the Rotorua Youth Council and replace it with a new youth engagement model, "which co-ordinates collaboration with a range of high quality and effective
community-led youth programmes".

A decision is also expected to be made on which councillor will be appointed to the newly formed Rural Community Board.

In December, Ms Tapsell was appointed as the council's representative on the Rotorua Lakes Community Board.

Councillors will then move into a confidential session to discuss a tender for local road sign maintenance and the sale of surplus council-owned properties.