ITEM
1 - APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE
REPORT IN
BRIEF
|
Reason For Report
|
To allow tendering of apologies
for Councillors not present.
|
|
Policy Implications
|
Nil
|
|
Budget Implications
|
Nil
|
|
IPR Linkage
|
4.5.1.g - Code of Meeting
Practice adopted and implemented.
|
|
Annexures
|
Nil
|
|
File Number
|
\OFFICIAL RECORDS
LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COUNCILLORS LEAVE OF ABSENCE -
720680
|
|
Recommendation
THAT any apologies tendered be
accepted and the necessary leave of absence be granted.
|
General Manager's REPORT
A call for apologies is to be
made.
Please note that guidelines have
been issued under Section 23A of the Local government Act titled “Council
decision making during merger proposal periods”. Council must consider
the guidelines in relation to each decision they make during the proposal
period, this matter is of an ongoing nature and it is considered it complies with
the guidelines.
ITEM
2 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
REPORT IN
BRIEF
|
Reason For Report
|
To allow an opportunity for
Councillors to declare an interest in any items to be determined at this
meeting.
|
|
Policy Implications
|
Nil
|
|
Budget Implications
|
Nil
|
|
IPR Linkage
|
4.5.1.g - Code of Meeting
Practice adopted and implemented.
|
|
Annexures
|
Nil
|
|
File Number
|
\OFFICIAL RECORDS
LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COUNCILLORS AND STAFF
DECLARATION OF INTEREST - 2015 - 720681
|
|
Recommendation
THAT the Declarations of
Interest be noted.
|
General Manager's REPORT
A call for Declarations of
Interest.
Please note that guidelines have
been issued under Section 23A of the Local government Act titled “Council
decision making during merger proposal periods”. Council must consider
the guidelines in relation to each decision they make during the proposal
period, this matter is of an ongoing nature and it is considered it complies
with the guidelines.
ITEM
3 - DECLARATIONS FOR POLITICAL DONATIONS
REPORT IN
BRIEF
|
Reason For Report
|
To allow an opportunity for
Councillors to declare any Political Donations received.
|
|
Policy Implications
|
Nil
|
|
Budget Implications
|
Nil
|
|
IPR Linkage
|
4.5.1.g - Code of Meeting
Practice adopted and implemented.
|
|
Annexures
|
Nil
|
|
File Number
|
\OFFICIAL RECORDS
LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COUNCILLORS DECLARATION OF
POLITICAL DONATIONS - 720682
|
|
Recommendation
THAT any Political Donations be
noted.
|
General Manager's REPORT
A call for declarations of any
Political Donations.
Please note that guidelines have
been issued under Section 23A of the Local government Act titled “Council
decision making during merger proposal periods”. Council must consider
the guidelines in relation to each decision they make during the proposal
period, this matter is of an ongoing nature and it is considered it complies
with the guidelines.
ITEM 4 - MINISTERIAL PROPOSAL
FOR THE AMALGAMATION OF CABONNE ORANGE AND BLAYNEY
REPORT IN BRIEF
|
Reason For Report
|
To advise on
proposal put forward by the Minister for Local Government to amalgamate
Cabonne Orange and Blayney councils.
|
|
Policy
Implications
|
Council has a policy opposing forced amalgamation.
|
|
Budget
Implications
|
Guidelines will limit certain types of expenditure.
|
|
IPR Linkage
|
4.5.1.a.
Provide quality administrative support and governance to councillors and
residents
|
|
Annexures
|
1. Guidelines on council decision making during
merger proposal periods_0.pdf
|
|
File Number
|
\OFFICIAL
RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\AMALGAMATIONS\BLAYNEY SHIRE, CABONNE AND ORANGE
CITY COUNCILS PROPOSED MERGER 2016 - 724955
|
|
Recommendation
THAT Council
endorse the engagement of Morrison Low consultants to prepare an independent
review and submission under S263(3) for consideration by Council.
|
Director of Finance and Corporate Services' REPORT
Council would be aware that on 18
December 2015 the government announced its intention to put forward a proposal
for the amalgamation of Cabonne Orange and Blayney councils. On 6 January
2016 the Minister made the formal proposal and forwarded it to the Office of
Local Government to commence the process.
A teleconference was held on 8
January 2016 with the outcome as follows:-
Letters to
councils - Letters have been sent to affected
councils by the delegates.
Delegates
meet with councils – during late
January / early February.
Public
inquiries - Delegates will arrange public inquiries
(for each council) - times, dates and locations will be made available
mid–January.
Submissions - Written submissions invited from councils and communities –
closing date Sunday 28 February.
Submissions
reviewed - Delegates examine proposals and
submissions in line with requirements of the Act and prepare reports –
timeframe not specified.
Boundaries
Commission - Reports provided to the Boundaries
Commission for comment.
Minister - Delegates report to Minister for decision.
New councils
commence - Decision announced by proclamation
of the Governor (expected around mid-2016).
Guidelines have
also been issued for “Council Decision Making During Merger Proposal
Periods” (the Guidelines) which are attached for council’s
information. These guidelines have been issued under S23A of the Local
Government Act and council must take them into consideration when making a
determination. Staff have been instructed to include a paragraph in all
reports for determination drawing attention to the guidelines and whether
recommendations made comply with them.
Key elements
raised in the guidelines are that Council and council officials:
· Must not prevent or disrupt the consideration of merger proposals
(other than through legitimate exercise of legal rights of review or appeal);
· Must not use council resources to oppose or support a proposal for
personal or political purposes;
· Must not damage or impede the operational effectiveness of a new
council.
Detailed
provisions have been included in the guidelines in relation to financial
management, workforce management, regulatory functions and merger related
information campaigns. Enforcement guidelines indicate that failure to
comply with the Guidelines may result in the issue of a Performance Improvement
Order (the pre-cursor to appointing an Administrator) and the possibility of
surcharging council officials for any deficiency or loss as a result of
negligence or misconduct (making individuals personally liable for any
financial loss).
Council has
until 28 February 2016 to make a formal submission in relation to the proposal
and due to this narrow timeframe the services of Morrison Low (who already have
a background in matters related to a possible merger) have been engaged to
conduct an independent review and draft a submission for council to consider
that addresses the matters contained in S263(3).
Funds are
available in the budget for a Strategic Capacity Project which enable the
project to proceed at a cost of $55,000 plus disbursements.
Council’s endorsement of the above actions is requested.
Please note that
guidelines have been issued under Section 23A of the Local government Act titled
“Council decision making during merger proposal periods”. Council
must consider the guidelines in relation to each decision they make during the
proposal period, this matter is already included in the 2015/2016 budget and it
is considered it complies with the guidelines as it is necessary as part of the
merger proposal process.
ITEM 5 - PROPOSED CANOWINDRA
RETIREMENT ACCOMMODATION PROJECT
REPORT IN BRIEF
|
Reason For Report
|
To advise
Council regarding a Notice of Motion received.
|
|
Policy Implications
|
Nil
|
|
Budget
Implications
|
$750,000 not included in current budget plus $450,000
long term loan.
|
|
IPR Linkage
|
3.2.1.b.
Facilitate retirement and aged care projects and services
|
|
Annexures
|
Nil
|
|
File Number
|
\OFFICIAL
RECORDS LIBRARY\COMMUNITY SERVICES\SERVICE PROVISION\CANOWINDRA PROPOSED
RETIREMENT VILLAGE - CORNER BLATCHFORD and MILL STREETS - 725144
|
|
Recommendation
THAT the
Notice of Motion be dealt with.
|
Director of Finance and Corporate Services' REPORT
A Notice of Motion has been received from Councillors Walker
and Hayes as follows:
We the
undersigned Councillors hereby give notice of intention to move the following
motion at the Extraordinary Council meeting to be held on 19 January 2016:-
“THAT
Council provide $550,000 in infrastructure funding and $450,000 by way of a
long term loan to the Canowindra Retirement Village Association Inc to enable
the establishment of a retirement village in Canowindra and an additional
$200,000 from the Canowindra Town Improvement Fund for remaining infrastructure
improvements.”
(Signed)
……………………… ……………………
Clr K Walker Clr
M Hayes
Please note that guidelines have
been issued under Section 23A of the Local government Act titled “Council
decision making during merger proposal periods”. Council must consider
the guidelines in relation to each decision they make during the proposal period,
this matter does not meet the guidelines as it is not included in the
2015/2016 budget and is greater than $250,000 and could also impose a
significant and ongoing financial commitment on a new council.
In order for the
Notice of Motion to be dealt with it would need to be moved and seconded on the
day of the meeting.
ITEM 6 - FUNDING FOR MINOR
WORKS TO NASHDALE/LIDSTER PUBLIC HALL
REPORT IN BRIEF
|
Reason For Report
|
To advise on
meeting held to discuss possible assistance.
|
|
Policy
Implications
|
Nil
|
|
Budget
Implications
|
$3673.70 from the Community Facilitation Fund.
|
|
IPR Linkage
|
3.3.5.a.
Review community need for new and upgraded facilities
|
|
Annexures
|
Nil
|
|
File Number
|
\OFFICIAL
RECORDS LIBRARY\GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES\PROGRAMS\COMMUNITY FACILITATION FUND - 725151
|
|
Recommendation
THAT Council
contribute a further $673.70 towards the cost of insurance for the
Nashdale/Lidster Public Hall.
|
Director of Finance and Corporate Services' REPORT
Following a
matter of urgency raised by Clr Davison at the December 2015 council meeting,
the Mayor, General Manager and Clr Davison met with representatives of the
Nashdale/Lidster Hall Committee to discuss matters raised in correspondence
that had been tabled before council.
The outcome of
the meeting was that due to the urgent need to resolve the insurance cover for
the hall that $3000 would be provided from the Community Facilitation Fund (the
maximum amount under the policy) with the remainder of $673.70 to be reported
to council for consideration. The representatives were advised of the
council’s community assistance program and it was suggested that
application be made in the next round for items such as the stove and rain
water tank mentioned in their correspondence.
Please note that guidelines have
been issued under Section 23A of the Local government Act titled “Council
decision making during merger proposal periods”. Council must consider
the guidelines in relation to each decision they make during the proposal
period, this matter is of a minor nature with funding available in the current
budget and it is considered it complies with the guidelines.
ITEM 7 - APPLICATION FOR
GRANT FROM CANOWINDRA TOWN IMPROVEMENT FUND
REPORT IN BRIEF
|
Reason For Report
|
To advise on
request for funding from the Canowindra Showground and Racecourse Trust.
|
|
Policy
Implications
|
Nil
|
|
Budget
Implications
|
$47,900 from the Canowindra Town Improvement Fund.
|
|
IPR Linkage
|
3.3.6.a.
Maintain sporting, recreational, council and community facilities
|
|
Annexures
|
Nil
|
|
File Number
|
\OFFICIAL
RECORDS LIBRARY\PARKS AND RESERVES\MAINTENANCE\CANOWINDRA SHOWGROUND - 725167
|
|
Recommendation
THAT Council
determine whether it wishes to agree to the request.
|
Director of Finance and Corporate Services' REPORT
The Canowindra Showground and
Racecourse Trust have written to Council seeking a grant of $47,900 (inc GST)
from the Canowindra Town Improvement Fund to build an amenities block,
including disabled facilities, near the new multi-purpose shed at the
Canowindra Showground.
The Canowindra Showground and
Racecourse Trust is a Trust dedicated for the purposes of maintaining the care,
control and management of the Canowindra Showground and Racecourse, it is not a
S355 committee and is appointed by the State of NSW.
Clr Walker has indicated that he
believes the amenities block would be of benefit to the Canowindra community
and as such should be funded from the Canowindra Town Improvement Fund.
Please note that guidelines have
been issued under Section 23A of the Local government Act titled “Council
decision making during merger proposal periods”. Council must consider
the guidelines in relation to each decision they make during the proposal
period, this matter is not included in the 2015/2016 budget, however
allocations from the Canowindra Town Improvement Fund have traditionally been
made on the recommendation of local councillors as the need arises, these funds
can only be used for projects within the Canowindra town improvement area and
it is considered it would comply with the guidelines as it is less than
$250,000 and is being considered at a council meeting that is open to the
public.
