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OrdinarySupplementary Agenda An Ordinary Meeting of the Bega Valley Shire Council will be held via Zoom on
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OrdinarySupplementary Agenda An Ordinary Meeting of the Bega Valley Shire Council will be held via Zoom on
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Council 24 November 2021
In accordance with the resolution of Council 20 September 2017, this section of the agenda will be chaired by the Mayor.
9.1 NSW Partnerships - Local Council Funding Stage 2.................................................................... 4
9.2 Recognising the second Black Summer anniversary................................................................ 10
Council |
24 November 2021 |
9.1 NSW Partnerships - Local Council Funding Stage 2............................................... 4
9.2 Recognising the second Black Summer anniversary........................................... 10
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Council 24 November 2021 |
Item 9.1 |
This report provides a summary of the proposed disbursement of funding received through the NSW Partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2 program.
Director Community Environment and Planning
That Council:
1. Support the proposed expenditure of NSW partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2 funds as described in this report.
2. Endorse the Chief Executive Officer to make variations to funding allocations if required to meet funding deed requirements.
Executive Summary
This report provides advice of funding recently received from the NSW Government though NSW Partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2 program, and its intended use.
Background
Stage 2 of the NSW Partnerships: Local Council Funding program provides funding for Council-led initiatives to support communities to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and those affected by border closures. The program is open to small rural councils and those NSW councils that border other states and territories. The $3 million program provides $90,000 to each eligible council. The objective of the program is for immediate and short-term support programs to assist councils and communities to respond to the pandemic. Funding is to be acquitted by 31 December 2021 for expenditure incurred between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2021.
It is proposed that these funds will support:
· Development of COVID-19 safety plans across Council facilities
· Training support for COVID-19 compliance
· Continuity management strategy and planning
· Library surge staffing to realign service delivery to meet COVID-19 safety requirements
· Works surge staffing to maintain public facilities
· Additional information technology capability to support remote working arrangements
· Procurement of personal protection equipment including face masks, sanitizer for Council facilities and staff
· Distribution of Be Kind collateral to local businesses
· Distribution of care packs to vulnerable members of the community identified through Council’s Recovery Support Program.
Options
Options available to Council are to:
1. Support the proposed expenditure of NSW partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2 funding. This is the recommended option.
2. Identify alternative expenditure of NSW partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2 funding.
3. Not enter into a funding deed for NSW partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2.
Community Engagement
Consultation undertaken
The projects were developed from information provided by Council officers who have been providing COVID-19 support across the organisation and within the community.
Consultation planned
No further consultation is planned in relation to the recommendation. Engagement with the local community will continue as part of Council’s COVID-19 response.
Financial and resource considerations
The NSW partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2 provides additional funds of $90,000 to offset unforeseen expenditure Council has incurred to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
Funding source |
|
Amount |
|
NSW partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2 |
$ |
90,000 |
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Total |
$ |
90,000 |
Legal /Policy
There are no direct legal or policy implications associated with the proposal.
Impacts on Strategic/Operational/Asset Management Plan/Risk
Strategic Alignment
The proposal is consistent with Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
Goal 3: Our economy is prosperous, diverse and supported by innovative and creative businesses.
Goal 7: Our Shire continues to be a vibrant, enjoyable, safe and affordable place to live.
Goal 11: We are an informed and engaged community with a transparent, consultative and responsive Council
and aligned with the following actions in Council’s adopted Operational Plan:
1.1.2.1 Promote partnerships and collaborations which increase community wellbeing
4.7.7.4 Build community resilience for future disasters
Environmental / Sustainability
There are no material environmental sustainability implications of allocating NSW partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2 funding to offset Council expenditure on COVID-19 response measures.
Economic
There are no material economic impacts of allocating NSW partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2 funding.
Risk
Receiving grant funds is a regular activity of Council and does not introduce new risks.
Social / Cultural
The funding directly contributes to costs incurred by Council to support COVID-19 response measures across the Shire.
1⇩. NSW Partnerships - Local Council Funding Stage 2 Guidelines
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Council |
24 November 2021 |
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Item 9.1 - Attachment 1 |
NSW Partnerships - Local Council Funding Stage 2 Guidelines |
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Item 9.2 |
9.2. Recognising the second Black Summer anniversary
This report seeks to describe how Council intends to recognise the second anniversary of the Black Summer bushfires.
Director Community Environment and Planning
That Council:
1. Recognise that recovery from the Black Summer bushfires is ongoing for the Bega Valley community and that, for all those touched by the fires, the recovery process is unique.
2. Recognise the significant support the Bega Valley Shire received, and continues to receive, from people across the region, the country and internationally.
3. Lower the flags in Littleton Gardens to half-mast on 31 December 2021 to mark the occasion that the Black Summer bushfires reached the Bega Valley Shire.
4. Establish a community small grant program to support people across the Bega Valley Shire to recognise the Black Summer bushfires in their own way.
5. Delegate to staff authority to disburse the small grant program between 6 December 2021 and 31 March 2022.
6. Note that the manner in which Council recognises the anniversary of the end of the fires, on 4 March 2022, will be determined by the new Council.
Executive Summary
The second anniversary of the Black Summer bushfires is approaching. This provides an opportunity for Council to reflect on the recovery process and to provide support to members of the local community to recognise their anniversary in the way they choose.
Background
The last day of the year marks the first day the bushfires started to directly impact our community. This is a time to reflect on what happened and take another step in the healing process. While we still have a long way to go, Council is committed to working alongside the community and our partners to continue doing everything possible to assist in the recovery journey.
Funding will be made available for community recognition of bushfire disaster anniversaries, providing support for community led bushfire commemoration initiatives across the Shire.
Options
Options available to Council are to:
1. Adopt the proposed approach to recognising the second anniversary of the Black Summer bushfires. This is the recommended option.
2. Identify an alternative approach to recognising this anniversary.
Community Engagement
Consultation undertaken
The proposed approach was developed in consultation with Council officers who have been engaging with bushfire affected residents and the local business community.
This consultation has identified an appetite for community-led activities to commemorate the second anniversary of the Black Summer fires.
Consultation planned
The proposed grant program will be opened and publicised in early December 2021. Newly elected Councillors will be invited to attend the proposed flag lowering event.
Financial and resource considerations
There are no direct financial implications associated with the proposed recognition activities. It is proposed that the General Fund allocation of $50,000 be offset by savings generated from grant funding received through the NSW Partnerships – Local Council Funding Stage 2. The $10,000 in bushfire recovery funding is included in Council’s adopted Budget for bushfire recovery support activities.
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Funding source |
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Amount |
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General Fund |
$ |
50,000 |
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Bushfire recovery funding |
$ |
10,000 |
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Total |
$ |
60,000 |
Legal /Policy
There are no direct legal or policy implications associated with the proposal.
Impacts on Strategic/Operational/Asset Management Plan/Risk
Strategic Alignment
The proposal is consistent with Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
Goal 3: Our economy is prosperous, diverse and supported by innovative and creative businesses.
Goal 7: Our Shire continues to be a vibrant, enjoyable, safe and affordable place to live.
Goal 11: We are an informed and engaged community with a transparent, consultative and responsive Council
and aligned with the following actions in Council’s adopted Operational Plan:
1.1.2.1 Promote partnerships and collaborations which increase community wellbeing
4.7.7.4 Build community resilience for future disasters
Environmental / Sustainability
There are no material environmental sustainability implications of the proposed recognition of the second anniversary of the Black Summer bushfires.
It is anticipated that a number of the community projects will involve regreening action that will assist recovery of bushfire impacted landscapes in the Bega Valley.
Economic
There are no material economic impacts of the proposal.
The community grants program will inject a small amount of funding into the local community.
Risk
Administering grant programs and recognising significant events are part of the regular business of Council and do not introduce new risks.
Social / Cultural
Recognising the significant impact of the bushfires on the community and country of the Bega Valley Shire is an important element of the recovery process. The proposed small grant program seeks to support local communities to recognise the anniversary in a way that is meaningful for them and assists their recovery process.
Attachments
