Ordinary  Meeting Minutes

Held on Wednesday 27 May 2020

At Via Zoom Commencing at 2:00pm

 


To:

Cr Sharon Tapscott, Mayor

Cr Russell Fitzpatrick, Deputy Mayor

Cr Tony Allen

Cr Robyn Bain

Cr Jo Dodds

Cr Cathy Griff

Cr Kristy McBain

Cr Mitchell Nadin

Cr Liz Seckold

Copy:

General Manager, Ms Leanne Barnes

Director, Assets and Operations, Mr Anthony McMahon

Director,  Community, Environment and Planning, Dr Alice Howe

Director, Business and Governance, Mrs Iliada Bolton

Manager, Communication and Events, Mr Ian Campbell

Project Lead, Recovery, Rebuilding and Resilience, Mr Chris Horsburgh

Minute Secretary, Mrs Bec Jones

 

Statement of Commencement of Live Streaming

The Mayor made an announcement about live streaming requirements:

Council meetings are recorded and live streamed to the Internet for public viewing. 

The recording will be archived and made available on Council’s website www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians of Bega Valley Shire

The Mayor commenced by acknowledging, on behalf of Bega Valley Shire Council, the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the Shire, the people of Yuin nation, to show respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

1.

Apologies

 

There were no apologies.

 

2.

Confirmation of Minutes

109/20

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs McBain and Dodds

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 20 May 2020 as circulated, be taken as read and confirmed.

In favour:             Crs Fitzpatrick, Bain, Nadin, Griff, McBain, Seckold, Tapscott, Dodds and Allen

Against:                  Nil

 

3.        Declarations

                   There were no declarations of interest

4.              Public Forum

           Report by Mayor of deputations heard prior to the meeting

                   There were no deputations heard prior to the meeting.

5.        Petitions

                   There were no petitions.

6.        Mayoral Minutes

                   There were no Mayoral Minutes.

 

7.        Urgent Business

                   There was no Urgent Business.

8.        Staff Reports – Planning and Environment

                   There were no Planning and Environment reports.

9.        Staff Reports – Community, Culture and Leisure

                   There were no Community, Culture and Leisure reports.

10.      Staff Reports – Economic Development and Business Growth

                   There were no Economic Development and Business Growth reports.

11.      Staff Reports – Infrastructure Waste and Water

                   There were no Infrastructure Waste and Water reports.

12.        Staff Reports – Governance and Strategy

 

12.1

Review of Long Term Financial Plan

 

A point of order was called by Cr Nadin regarding the questions which Councillors were asking being a debate.

Mayor Tapscott ruled against the point of order.

 

A motion was moved by Cr Dodds

 

That the Long Term Financial Plan be placed on public exhibition from 28 May 2020 as a supporting document for the 2021 Operational Plan and Budget.

 

The motion lapsed due to lack of a seconder.

A motion was moved by Crs Allen and McBain

 

That the Long Term Financial Plan be placed on public exhibition from as a supporting document for the 2021 Operational Plan and Budget with the following amendment to the draft:

 

a.       On Page 12 Operating Revenue Rates and Charges: “That a Special Rate Variation aimed at achieving the six pools strategy and support for protecting critical Council assets be factored in from 2023 for consideration in the next LTFP to be considered post the 2021 election as a permanent increase in general rate income”  and

b.       On Page 16 Operational Expenditure Forecasts Other Expenses: include a statement “that Council commit to reviewing services and reducing duplication, reducing asset impacts by rationalisation, and reducing costs to operational expenditure to ensure that combined with a projected targeted SRV in the General Fund referred to on page 12 that from the 2023 financial year the projected operational deficit and cash position of the Council is significantly improved.”

An amendment to the motion was proposed by Cr Bain

That the Long Term Financial Plan be placed on public exhibition as a supporting document for the 2021 Operational Plan and Budget with the following amendment to the draft:

a.       On Page 12 Operating Revenue Rates and Charges: “That a Special Rate Variation aimed at achieving the six pools strategy and support for protecting critical Council assets be factored in from 2023 for consideration in the next LTFP to be considered post the 2021 election as a permanent increase in general rate income”  and

b.       On Page 16 Operational Expenditure Forecasts Other Expenses: include a statement “that Council commit to reviewing services and reducing duplication, reducing asset impacts by rationalisation, and reducing costs to operational expenditure to ensure that combined with a projected targeted SRV in the General Fund referred to on page 12 that from the 2023 financial year the projected operational deficit and cash position of the Council is significantly improved.”

c.       That Council retain the rate peg increase over the water and sewer funds until a review of both funds is undertaken.

The amendments were accepted by Crs Allen and McBain.

The motion was put to the vote and it was CARRIED.

A motion was foreshadowed by Cr Griff

That Council refrain from tabling the Long Term Financial Plan until the contents can be further deliberated at the new Councillor Finance Briefing.

 

2:49pm         Cr Nadin left the meeting.

2:50pm         Cr Nadin returned to the meeting.

 

110/20

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Allen and McBain

That the Long Term Financial Plan be placed on public exhibition as a supporting document for the 2021 Operational Plan and Budget with the following amendment to the draft:

a.       On Page 12 Operating Revenue Rates and Charges: “That a Special Rate Variation aimed at achieving the six pools strategy and support for protecting critical Council assets be factored in from 2023 for consideration in the next LTFP to be considered post the 2021 election as a permanent increase in general rate income”  and

b.       On Page 16 Operational Expenditure Forecasts Other Expenses: include a statement “that Council commit to reviewing services and reducing duplication, reducing asset impacts by rationalisation, and reducing costs to operational expenditure to ensure that combined with a projected targeted SRV in the General Fund referred to on page 12 that from the 2023 financial year the projected operational deficit and cash position of the Council is significantly improved.”

c.       That Council retain the rate peg increase over the water and sewer funds until a review of both funds is undertaken.

In favour:             Crs Fitzpatrick, Bain, McBain, Seckold, Tapscott and Allen

Against:                  Crs Nadin, Griff and Dodds

 

13.        Staff Reports – Finance

 

13.1

Quarterly Budget Review Statement - 31 March 2020

 

A point of order was called by Cr McBain regarding Cr Griff’s commentary being not relevant to the item.

The Mayor ruled in favour of the point of order.

111/20

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Fitzpatrick and Allen

1.    That Council receive and note the March 2020 Quarterly Budget Review Statement, noting         the date on the “actual” column should be 31 March 2020 and the figure of $14,042,558 in         the Net Assets row on Page 30 be amended to $16,042,558 and the figure of $1,083,395,303         in the Net Assets row on Page 30 be amended to $1,081,395,303.

2.    That the budget recommendations detailed in the March 2020 quarterly budget review statement be adopted.

In favour:             Crs Fitzpatrick, Bain, Nadin, Griff, McBain, Seckold, Tapscott, Dodds and Allen

Against:                  Nil

 

14.      Councillor Reports

                   There were no Councillor Reports.

15.      Rescission/alteration Motions

                   There were no Rescission/alteration motions.

16.      Notices of Motion

                   There were no Notices of Motion.

17.      Questions with Notice

      There were no Questions with Notice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leave of Absence

 

Cr McBain requested a leave of absence from Thursday 28 May 2020 to Tuesday 23 June 2020.

112/20

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Fitzpatrick and Dodds

That Councillor McBain be granted a leave of absence from Thursday 28 May 2020 to Tuesday 23 June 2020.

In favour:             Crs Fitzpatrick, Bain, Nadin, Griff, McBain, Seckold, Tapscott, Dodds and Allen

Against:                  Nil

 

18.      Questions without Notice

18.1

Speed Limits on Mt Darragh Road

 

Cr Nadin asked about the recent speed limits being changed on Mt Darragh Road, and Council’s involvement in the changes (if any) as well as what consultation occurred with the public.

The question was taken on notice by Director Assets and Operations, Mr Anthony McMahon.

18.2

Granite Hills Wind Farm – Amendment to response

 

Cr Nadin asked the following question at the Council Meeting of 20 May 2020 and was provided with the following response by Dr Alice Howe:

 

“Cr Nadin asked about the Granite Hill Wind Farm Proposal and if any of the wind farm is within Bega Valley Shire Jurisdiction.

Dr Howe responded indicating that it does not, but does have potential impact due to the proximity to our border. Mr Tull is Council’s representative on the community reference group. Information will be provided to a Councillor Workshop once the proponent is ready “

Dr Howe provided clarification and an amended response to this question:

The proposed Granite Hills Wind Farm straddles the border between Snowy Monaro Shire and Bega Valley Shire, in the Steeple Flat locality. Approximately half of the planned turbines are located in each Shire. Mr Tull is Council’s representative on the community reference group. Information will be provided to a Councillor Workshop once the proponent has completed the environmental assessment of the proposal.

 

19.        Confidential Business

There was no Confidential Business.

20.        Noting of Resolutions from Closed Session

   There was no noting of resolutions from Closed Session.

21.        Declassification of reports considered previously in closed session

                      There was no declassification of reports considered previously in closed session.

3:28 pm         Cr Bain left the meeting.

Closure

There being no further business, the Chairperson closed the meeting at 3:32 pm.

Confirmed

Chairperson of the meeting of the Bega Valley Shire Council held on Wednesday, 27 May 2020.