DCC responses to LGOIMA requests

Updated post
Sun, 25 Sep 2016 at 8:37 a.m.

Firebrand is a full service web, design and marketing agency.

“We’ve assisted with multiple schemes initiated by the DCC, including Sexy Summer Jobs and Dunedin’s City of Literature. Our work on these projects includes branding and custom website design and development, as well as an ongoing part Pro-Bono Creative Partnership with Sexy Summer Jobs, specifically.” https://firebrand.nz/work/portfolio/article/732

Firebrand has previously offered pro bono services to Greater Dunedin.

****

Offical Information Requests

Subject: LGOIMA Request Ref No. 541487
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2016 3:34 p.m.
From: Elizabeth Kerr
To: Kristy Rusher [DCC]
Cc: Elizabeth Kerr, Sandy Graham, Sue Bidrose
 
Dear Kristy
 
Re DCC open tendering processes
 
This official request stems from citizen concern or perception that contracts for supply are being awarded without Dunedin City Council (DCC) engaging in open tendering processes. I hope this is not the case but I wish to go beyond hearsay in seeking the following information.
 
The divisions of council or council partnershps for which it is unclear whether open tendering processes are being followed are:

● Economic Development Unit (EDU) – co-ordinating Economic Development Strategy initiatives; positioned within Enterprise Dunedin, the agency responsible for the economic development and marketing of the city. Chris Staynes chairs the DCC Economic Development Committee.

● Grow Dunedin Partnership – Partners: Ngāi Tahu, the Otago Chamber of Commerce, Otago Southland Employers’ Association, Otago Polytechnic, the University of Otago, and the Dunedin City Council. The partnership is chaired by Chris Staynes.

● Digital Community Trust (DCT) – Digital Office Ltd (The Digital Office) : see GigCity Dunedin “The Council has supported the Digital Community Trust to deliver the City’s Digital Strategy”; “A total of $250,000 per year has been included for the GigCity project in 2016/17 and 2017/18 so Dunedin can get maximum benefit from being the first New Zealand city to have a gigabyte internet connection.” DCT is chaired by Chris Staynes. 
 
Firstly, Economic Development Unit (EDU):
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded Not using an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
2. In regards to question 1., what are the names of the successful contractors/suppliers and what did their contracts provide for supply?
3. In regards to questions 1. & 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
Secondly, Grow Dunedin Partnership:
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded Not using an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
2. In regards to question 1., what are the names of the successful contractors/suppliers and what did their contracts provide for supply?
3. In regards to questions 1. & 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
Thirdly, Digital Community Trust (DCT) – Digital Office Ltd (The Digital Office) : see GigCity Dunedin
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded Not using an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
2. In regards to question 1., what are the names of the successful contractors/suppliers and what did their contracts provide for supply?
3. In regards to questions 1. & 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
In addition:
● Has the registered company Firebrand been awarded contracts by any of the DCC-related entities bullet-pointed above, in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
● How many contracts for supply have been awarded to Firebrand, Not using an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
● In regards to the last two bullet points, in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?

Further, I understand Firebrand supplied services to Greater Dunedin (now defunct) election campaign(s) in previous years.
 
● Is Firebrand (a usual supplier to DCC ?) currently in discussion with Dave Cull about supplying services to his mayoral campaign for the local body elections in October 2016?
  
Background Information: 
Website:  http://firebrand.nz/   
NZ Companies register: FIREBRAND HOLDINGS LIMITED (3053206) Registered http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/3053206
 
It would be concerning if a usual supplier to the city council was being awarded contracts without being subject to an open (public) tendering process; particularly if that same supplier was also discussing or had already been engaged to provide services to the Mayoral election campaign. If true, this would seem to be inappropriate and an interest should be declared. However, until more information is obtained I retain a completely open mind.
 
I seek your response by email in digital format. Thank you.
  
Sincerely
Elizabeth Kerr

Subject: LGOIMA Request Ref No. 541554
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:37 p.m.
From: Elizabeth Kerr
To: Kristy Rusher [DCC]
Cc: Elizabeth Kerr, Sandy Graham, Sue Bidrose
 
Dear Kristy
 
Re DCC open tendering processes
 
This official request stems from citizen concern or perception that contracts for supply are being awarded without Dunedin City Council (DCC) and its CCO Delta Utility Services Ltd or any other DCC controlled entity engaging in open tendering processes. I hope this is not the case but I wish to go beyond hearsay in seeking the following information.
 
It is unclear whether open tendering processes are being followed by :
 
Firstly, DCC Communications and Marketing
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded to the company Firebrand in the period 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016? Please outline the services supplied.
2. In regards to question 1., how many of these contracts for supply did Not go through an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016? Please outline the services supplied.
3. In regards to question 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
Secondly, Delta Utility Services Ltd (the Council owned company)
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded to the company Firebrand in the period 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016? Please outline the services supplied.
2. In regards to question 1., how many of these contracts for supply did Not go through an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016? Please outline the services supplied.
3. In regards to question 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
Thirdly, has any other DCC controlled entity engaged the services of the company Firebrand in the period 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016; if so have any of those contracts awarded for services Not followed an open (public) tendering process; and if so why not?
 
Background Information: 
Website:  http://firebrand.nz/  
NZ Companies register:  FIREBRAND HOLDINGS LIMITED (3053206) Registered http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/3053206
 
I seek your response by email in digital format. Thank you.
  
Sincerely 
Elizabeth Kerr

█ Go to Comments for more LGOIMA requests and all responses.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

D C Ross precision engineering

Tragically….
There was a DCC media release New Directors Announced (23.12.14) in which DCHL’s Mr Crombie stated the new directors would “bring a wealth of experience and ideas to the boards” ….with Mr Cull saying “these appointments will inject new blood and proven skills into our Council company boards and I am confident they will contribute towards meeting Council’s increasing demands on company performance”.
Ah well. Our dear Mr Larsen !!

—

### ODT Online Wed, 21 Sep 2016
Engineers in receivership
By Simon Hartley
Twelve jobs are under threat at specialist Dunedin engineering company D.C. Ross, after its shareholders placed the company, more than 50 years old, into receivership. The McConnon family of Dunedin, who had a sizeable fortune from dairy interests in the days before and after Fonterra’s formation, are the majority 72.5% shareholders. Their Aorangi Laboratories Ltd holds 1.77million shares, split into five wider, equal, family allocations. D.C. Ross chief executive Peter Deans, a 12% shareholder along with co-director Robert Houliston, also with 12%, confirmed yesterday the Kaikorai Valley Rd company was placed in voluntary receivership, by its shareholders, not creditors. Mr Deans, who has been with the company for almost 18 years, said there had been “poor governance” since the aftermath of the 2007-08 global financial crisis and the company was “left to meander”.
Read more

—

D C ROSS LIMITED (1340666) In Receivership
Incorporation Date: 11 Jul 2003
Registered from 11 Jul 2003 to 14 Sep 2016
Address for service: 570 Kaikorai Valley Road, Dunedin
Pending address change to 188 Quay Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 on 22 Sep 2016
http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/1340666

—

ODT
13.4.15 Letter to Editor: DCC not holding DCHL to account
12.2.13 Ditching the big brother thing (mention)
27.3.10 Engineers with long experience
24.9.08 Automotive parts engineer reduces staff level

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.