Extraordinary Meeting Minutes

Held on Thursday, 7 March 2013

at Council Chambers, Bega commencing at 2.00 pm

 


Present

Cr Bill Taylor, Mayor

Cr Russell Fitzpatrick, Deputy Mayor

Cr Tony Allen

Cr Michael Britten

Cr Keith Hughes

Cr Ann Mawhinney

Cr Kristy McBain

Cr Liz Seckold

Cr Sharon Tapscott

In Attendance

General Manager, Mr Peter Tegart

Group Manager Community and Relationships, Ms Leanne Barnes

Group Manager Planning and Environment, Mr Andrew Woodley

Manager Finance, Lucas Scarpin

Minute Secretary, Janelle Curtis

 

1.

Apologies

 

There were no apologies.

2.         Declarations

There were no declarations of interest

3.         Staff Reports – Leading Organisation

 

3.1

Special Variation application consideration

 

A motion was moved by Crs Britten and Allen

1.       That Council submit a general special rate application to IPART consistent with the proposal adopted in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan and outlined in the draft operational plan 2013-14, being:

·              New 2% one-off permanent increase above the 3.4% rate peg in 2014, for renewal of collector roads. This variation will raise the general rate yield by an estimated $391,000 in 2014 and then be indexed by LGCI on an ongoing capacity. Total increase 5.4%.

·              Retained 2.5% one-off permanent increase above rate pegging in 2015 to retain the expiring recreation and access approval, with the options to use this amount for debt servicing or for annual project works in line with the LTFP for recreation asset renewals. This variation will retain the general rate yield at an estimated $516,000 and then be indexed by LGCI on an ongoing capacity.

·              New 2% one-off permanent increase above rate pegging in 2016 for infrastructure renewal for public domain areas and buildings. This variation will raise the general rate yield by an estimated $433,000 and then be indexed by LGCI on an ongoing capacity.

2.         That should IPART not approve the application (in full or in part), Council revise the Community Strategic Plan, Asset Management Plans and Long Term Financial Plan, to reflect the impact on asset standards and finances, with appropriate community consultation; and advise IPART and DLG accordingly.

3.         That Council lobby the Minister for Local Government through the local member, seeking to annually index the value of pension rebates as a minimum, and seek the full reimbursement of pension rebates by NSW government subsidy, as is the case in other States.

A motion was foreshadowed by Cr Fitzpatrick

1.         That Council not lodge an application for special rate variation to IPART in 2013 until such time as Council undertakes a review of the water and sewage charges and headworks charges.

2.         That Council undertake a review of its long term plans (Community Strategic Plan, Asset Management Plans and Long Term Financial Plan).

The motion was put to the vote and it was CARRIED

In favour:        Crs Taylor, Britten, Seckold, Mawhinney and Allen

Against:            Crs McBain, Hughes, Tapscott and Fitzpatrick

 

29/13

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Britten and Allen

1.       That Council submit a general special rate application to IPART consistent with the proposal adopted in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan and outlined in the draft operational plan 2013-14, being:

·              New 2% one-off permanent increase above the 3.4% rate peg in 2014, for renewal of collector roads. This variation will raise the general rate yield by an estimated $391,000 in 2014 and then be indexed by LGCI on an ongoing capacity. Total increase 5.4%.

·              Retained 2.5% one-off permanent increase above rate pegging in 2015 to retain the expiring recreation and access approval, with the options to use this amount for debt servicing or for annual project works in line with the LTFP for recreation asset renewals. This variation will retain the general rate yield at an estimated $516,000 and then be indexed by LGCI on an ongoing capacity.

·              New 2% one-off permanent increase above rate pegging in 2016 for infrastructure renewal for public domain areas and buildings. This variation will raise the general rate yield by an estimated $433,000 and then be indexed by LGCI on an ongoing capacity.

2.         That should IPART not approve the application (in full or in part), Council revise the Community Strategic Plan, Asset Management Plans and Long Term Financial Plan, to reflect the impact on asset standards and finances, with appropriate community consultation; and advise IPART and DLG accordingly.

3.         That Council lobby the Minister for Local Government through the local member, seeking to annually index the value of pension rebates as a minimum, and seek the full reimbursement of pension rebates by NSW government subsidy, as is the case in other States. 

In favour:        Crs Taylor, Britten, Seckold, Mawhinney and Allen

Against:            Crs McBain, Hughes, Tapscott and Fitzpatrick

 

The Mayor noted the amount of work involved in the special rate variation process and thanked the staff involved, in particular the General Manager Group Manager Community and Relationships, Finance Manager, Community Engagement & Planning Coordinator and any other staff who assisted with correspondence and attended meetings.

Closure

There being no further business, the Chairperson closed the meeting at 2.30 pm.

 

CONFIRMED ........................................................................................................

CHAIRPERSON

Chairperson of the meeting of the Bega Valley Shire Council held on Thursday 7 March 2013 at which meeting the signature hereon was subscribed.