Ordinary Meeting Minutes
Held on Wednesday 1 February 2023
at Council Chambers, Biamanga Room Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre Bega commencing at 2:00pm
 |
PresentCr Russell Fitzpatrick, Mayor Cr Liz Seckold, Deputy Mayor Cr Tony Allen Cr Cathy Griff Cr Mitchell Nadin Cr Helen O’Neil Cr David Porter Cr Joy Robin Cr Karen Wright
|
In AttendanceChief Executive Officer, Mr Anthony McMahon Director, Assets and Operations, Mr Ian Macfarlane Acting Director, Community, Environment and Planning, Mr Keith Tull Director, Business and Governance, Mrs Iliada Bolton Manager Communications and Events, Ms Kellie Dodge Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), Mrs Jackie Grant |
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, I would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands, waterways and airspace on which we are gathering.
Statement of Ethical Obligations
The Mayor and Councillors are reminded that they remain bound by the Oath/Affirmation of Office made at the start of the council term to undertake their civic duties in the best interests of the people of Bega Valley Shire and to faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in them under the Local Government Act or any other Act, to the best of their skill and judgement.
The Mayor and Councillors are also reminded of the requirement for disclosure of conflicts of interest in relation to items listed for consideration on the Agenda or which are considered at this meeting in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Code of Meeting Practice.
Congratulations to Australia Day Recipients in the Bega Valley Shire
The Mayor congratulated the following recipients of Australia Day Awards in the Bega Valley Shire:
· Mr David Rugendyke – OAM for service to the community, and to children.
· Mrs Barbara Rugendyke – OAM for service to children as a foster carer.
1. |
Apologies |
|
|
That the apology of Director Community, Environment and Planning, Mrs Emily Harrison be noted. |
|
2. |
|
|
9/23 |
RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Nadin and Wright That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 18 January 2023 as circulated, be taken as read and confirmed. In favour: Crs Fitzpatrick, Nadin, Griff, Seckold, Allen, Porter, O'Neil, Robin and Wright Against: Nil |
3. Declarations
Pecuniary Interest
There were no pecuniary interest declarations.
Non Pecuniary Interest
There were no non pecuniary interest declarations.
4. Public Forum
The following deputation was heard:
Item 10.1 | Special Rate Variation – Decision to apply to IPART
· Ms Vicki McCredie – AGAINST
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 – Community, Environment and Planning
There were no Staff reports – Community, Environment and Planning.
9. Staff Reports – Assets and Operations
There were no Staff reports – Assets and Operations.
10. Staff Reports – Business and Governance
|
10.1 |
|
|
|
A motion was moved by Crs Fitzpatrick and O’Neil That Council: 1. Receive the SRV Community Engagement Summary report (Attachment 1) and associated appendices and attachments. 2. Proceed with an application for a permanent special rate variation that would generate the same additional revenue as a one off 43% increase over the 10 year Long Term Financial Plan as per Option C but with the increase to be spread over two years in recognition of the financial challenges being faced by ratepayers. 3. Support the capital ($134.5m) and operational ($3.3m) reductions in levels of service across the 10 year forecast period included in this report as outlined which would be required in the updated Long Term Financial Plan 2023-32 if pursuing a scenario that generated the equivalent to a one off 43% increase spread over two years as outlined in part 2. 4. Commit to further reviewing asset and service priorities in future years to ensure future financial sustainability. 5. Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer to make an application by 3 February 2023 to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) under s508(A) of the Local Government Act 1993 for an increase to the ordinary rate income equivalent to a one off 43% increase but with the amount to be raised over two years and to be permanently retained within the rate base. 6. Resolve that the feedback received from the community during the community engagement and public exhibition period along with the Capacity to Pay Report (Attachment 2) is provided to IPART as part of the special rate variation application. 7. Delegate the Chief Executive Officer to develop a new Long Term Financial Plan that aligns with option C in the General Fund Scenario as presented but with modifications to revenue modelling reflective of other parts of this resolution with the revised Long Term Financial Plan to be submitted to IPART 8. Note that the Long Term Financial Plan Consolidated Scenarios will be updated to correct anomalies prior to submission to IPART including incorporating necessary and previously identified borrowings in the Water Fund to balance cash flows. 9. Adopt the updated Strategic Asset Management Plan including Asset Management Plan summaries (Attachment 4). 10. Consider the implementation of the special rate variation, if proceeding with an application, during the deliberations of Council’s Delivery Program, Operational Plan and budget for 2023-24. 11. Review the financial hardship assistance procedures in the Financial Management Policy 6.06 - 6.06.01 to ensure they are fit for purpose and support local residents with fairness and integrity particularly in the context of a special rate variation 12. Renew its call for the state government to fully fund pensioner rate rebates, and commit to persuading every candidate standing in the Bega electorate this year to pursue an immediate increase in NSW Pensioner Rate Concession, noting that the discount has not been increased since 1993. A motion was foreshadowed by Cr Nadin 1. That council does not proceed with an SRV for the 2024 financial year; 2. That council commit to a Special Rate Variation application for the 2024-25 financial year, with a reviewed percentage based over two or more years. 3. The SRV be defined for Roads and Asset Renewal noting that at the rate indicated it will not be sufficient to maintain the current road and asset base meaning the asset base will need to be reduced; 4. That as part of the SRV application council review its three rating categories (commercial, farmland and residential); 5. That council consider engaging an external provider to facilitate the public consultation for the SRV with a report to be prepared on proposed scope and costs so a budget can be allocated. 6. That following the recent service review to councillors, council establish a net expenditure and service review committee of interested councillors with the directive to reduce net operational expenditure of at least $1 million noting this may be linked to a reduction in the asset base that provides services. 7. Set a goal to reduce the Bega Valley Shire’s asset backlog ratio, to be reported on annually noting that this would only be achievable through a significant reduction in the current asset base compared to current revenue. 8. Council note that the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is currently reviewing the rate peg methodology. The motion was put to the vote and it was CARRIED In favour: Crs Fitzpatrick, Seckold, Allen, O'Neil, Robin and Wright Against: Crs Nadin, Griff and Porter
|
|
10/23 |
RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Fitzpatrick and O'Neil That Council: 1. Receive the SRV Community Engagement Summary report (Attachment 1) and associated appendices and attachments. 2. Proceed with an application for a permanent special rate variation that would generate the same additional revenue as a one off 43% increase over the 10 year Long Term Financial Plan as per Option C but with the increase to be spread over two years in recognition of the financial challenges being faced by ratepayers. 3. Support the capital ($134.5m) and operational ($3.3m) reductions in levels of service across the 10 year forecast period included in this report as outlined which would be required in the updated Long Term Financial Plan 2023-32 if pursuing a scenario that generated the equivalent to a one off 43% increase spread over two years as outlined in part 2. 4. Commit to further reviewing asset and service priorities in future years to ensure future financial sustainability. 5. Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer to make an application by 3 February 2023 to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) under s508(A) of the Local Government Act 1993 for an increase to the ordinary rate income equivalent to a one off 43% increase but with the amount to be raised over two years and to be permanently retained within the rate base. 6. Resolve that the feedback received from the community during the community engagement and public exhibition period along with the Capacity to Pay Report (Attachment 2) is provided to IPART as part of the special rate variation application. 7. Delegate the Chief Executive Officer to develop a new Long Term Financial Plan that aligns with option C in the General Fund Scenario as presented but with modifications to revenue modelling reflective of other parts of this resolution with the revised Long Term Financial Plan to be submitted to IPART 8. Note that the Long Term Financial Plan Consolidated Scenarios will be updated to correct anomalies prior to submission to IPART including incorporating necessary and previously identified borrowings in the Water Fund to balance cash flows. 9. Adopt the updated Strategic Asset Management Plan including Asset Management Plan summaries (Attachment 4). 10. Consider the implementation of the special rate variation, if proceeding with an application, during the deliberations of Council’s Delivery Program, Operational Plan and budget for 2023-24. 11. Review the financial hardship assistance procedures in the Financial Management Policy 6.06 - 6.06.01 to ensure they are fit for purpose and support local residents with fairness and integrity particularly in the context of a special rate variation 12. Renew its call for the state government to fully fund pensioner rate rebates, and commit to persuading every candidate standing in the Bega electorate this year to pursue an immediate increase in NSW Pensioner Rate Concession, noting that the discount has not been increased since 1993. In favour: Crs Fitzpatrick, Seckold, Allen, O'Neil, Robin and Wright Against: Crs Nadin, Griff and Porter |
11. Councillor Reports
There were no Councillor reports.
12. Rescission/Alteration Motions
There were no rescission/alteration motions.
13. Notices of Motion
There were no notices of motion.
14. Questions with Notice
There were no questions with notice.
15. Questions without Notice
There were no questions without notice.
16. Confidential Business
There was no confidential business.
17. Noting of Resolutions from Closed Session
There were no noting of resolutions from closed session.
18. Declassification of reports considered previously in closed session
There were no declassification of reports considered previously in closed session.
Closure
There being no further business, the Chairperson closed the meeting at 3:46 pm.
Confirmed
Russell
Fitzpatrick
(digitally
signed)
Chairperson of the meeting of the Bega Valley Shire Council held on Wednesday, 1 February 2023.