This month's Bellingen Shire Council meeting is worth attending.
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There’s a lot on the agenda – for a start there’s the Long Term Financial Plan (‘Model 1’ is the base model used throughout this document and assumes a permanent 6% per year special rate variation across all categories in years 2017/18 – 2020/21).
Then there’s a peek at council’s phone bill (more than $100,000 per year).
There’s a Dorrigo road closure, a Waterfall Way development DA, the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan, the Draft Community Strategic Plan and a Contaminated Land Policy (and Guidelines).
Here’s a taste of the main game, but for the full report check out the Agenda.
REVERSE AUCTIONS FOR SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY FOR CONTESTABLE SITES AND STREET LIGHTING
RECOMMENDATION: That Council authorise the General Manager to sign the recommended energy contracts for the supply of electricity for Contestable Sites, Street Lighting and Small Sites.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The current contracts for the supply of electricity to the following categories, will expire on:
- 31 December 2017 for contestable sites (greater than 100 MWh per annum).
- 31 December 2017 for unmetered street lighting.
- 30 June 2017 for small sites.
ROAD CLOSURE OF LOT 1, DP 1227898, ROAD OFF SNOWS RD, DORRIGO
RECOMMENDATION
1. That Council accede to the request from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries – Lands, to close the section of Council public road identified as Lot 1 DP 1227898, having an area of 1.516ha.
2. That all associated fees relating to the proposed road closure by met by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries – Lands.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This report is to inform Council of a request from New South Wales Department of Primary Industries – Lands (DPI-L), formally known as the Crown Lands to close a section of Council public road at North Dorrigo.
DRAFT DISABILITY INCLUSION ACTION PLAN 2017-21 FOR EXHIBITION
RECOMMENDATION: That Council:
1. Publicly exhibit the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2017-21 for community feedback
2. Forward a copy of the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan to those who have provided input and relevant contact details
3. Receive a further report including a summary of feedback received and any refinements to the draft DIAP plan as a result of the submissions or further information in the June meeting in order to meet the legislative deadline for submission to the NSW Disability Council and the Minister for Disability Services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The NSW Disability Inclusion Act and Regulation 2014 requires all local councils to develop Disability Inclusion Action Plans (DIAP) by 1 July 2017. Once the Disability Inclusion Action Plan is adopted by council, it is to be submitted to the Disability Council NSW and the NSW Minister for Disability Services.
The attached draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan is based on a review of Bellingen Shire Council’s existing Access and Inclusion Plan, consultation with people with disabilities and/or their carers, consultation with disability service providers and consultation with Council staff. The draft DIAP is formatted around the four required focus areas of:
- Attitudes and Behaviours, Liveable Communities, Employment, and Systems, and, Processes.
IP&R – EXHIBITION OF DRAFT COMMUNITY VISION 2027
RECOMMENDATION
- 1. Council endorse the Draft Community Strategic Plan 2027 (Community Vision)
- 2. The Draft Plan be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days
- 3. Following the exhibition period a report be presented to Council which outlines community submissions, along with the final draft document.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Council, at its Ordinary Meeting held on 23 November 2016 unanimously endorsed the Community Engagement Strategy for the review of the Community Strategic Plan.
This strategy provided a framework for engagement and consultation activities to be undertaken with the objectives of verifying the direction of the current Community Vision, identifying the community priorities for the Bellingen Shire for the next 10 years as well as developing strategies to meet community aspirations in consultation with our community.
EXHIBITION OF DRAFT DELIVERY PROGRAM 2017/18 – 2020/21
RECOMMENDATION
- Council endorse the Draft Delivery Program 2017/18 to 2020/21 and Operational Plan 2017/18
- Council place the Draft Delivery Program 2017/18 to 2020/21 and Operational Plan 2017/18on public exhibition for a period of 28 days
- Following the exhibition period, a report will be presented to Council outlining submissions made, along with the final draft document.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The NSW Local Government Amendment (Planning and Reporting) Act 2009 requires Councils to periodically review elements of their Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework (IP/R). The Community Strategic Plan (referred to as the Community Vision (CV), Resourcing Strategy (RS), Delivery Program and Operational Plan (DP/OP) are required to be adopted by Council by the start of the financial year following the local government election.
The DP/OP are statements of commitment to the community in terms of delivering on the aspirations of the CV. The Delivery Program outlines the priorities to be pursued by Council and the Operational Plan provides details of the projects and activities being undertaken in working towards the stated aspirations of our community as they relate to council responsibilities.
The Delivery Program and Operational Plan are synergistic and for this reason have been combined to present the individual actions of the Operational Plan, within the context of the Delivery Program’s four year agenda. This combined document is informed by the CV and the RS.
EXHIBITION OF DRAFT 2017/18 – 2026/27 LONG TERM FINANCIAL PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: All councils in NSW are required to develop long term, medium term and short term plans under legislative requirements, the NSW Local Government Amendment Planning and Reporting Act 2009, which transitioned councils to a new Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) Framework. Underpinning these documents is the Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP).
It is anticipated that the Long Term Financial Plan together with submissions will be considered by Council at the Ordinary Meeting to be held in June 2017.
REPORT DETAIL: Council’s Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) provides a framework to assess its revenue building capacity to meet the activities and levels of service outlined in its Community Vision. The LTFP is required to be produced annually with a detailed review every four years, and cover a minimum period of 10 years.
- In preparing the LTFP, Bellingen Shire Council seeks to deliver upon its Fit for the Future commitments by implementing the funding model considered and endorsed by Council at its meeting of 29 June 2016, with a commitment to return to an operating surplus;
- Provide transparency and accountability of Council to the Community;
- Provide an opportunity for early identification of financial issues and any likely impacts in the longer term;
- Provide a mechanism to:
- proactively manage its financial sustainability
- Link various plans
- Understand the impact of some decisions on other plans or strategies;
- Provide a means of measuring Council’s success in implementing strategies; and Confirm that Council can remain financially sustainable in the longer term.
Financial Modelling
As part of the planning process Council modelled two different scenarios in the LTFP. The scenarios tested as part of the modelling process were:
- Model 1 – Service Levels Maintained
- Model 2 – Service Levels Reduced
In December 2016 the Office of Local Government assessed Bellingen’s FFF proposal against the Financial Sustainability criteria and associated benchmarks and found Bellingen Shire Council to be ‘Fit’. The assessment was based on the FFF reassessment proposal, Council's Long Term Financial Plan and other associated documents provided in the proposal.
Council’s submission had a strong focus on a number of key financial benchmarks to determine if Council is ‘fit for the future’. Council’s initial result (as at 30 June 2014) met only two of the seven key ‘fit for the future’ performance indicators. By implementing a number of strategies Council was able to satisfy each of the 7 benchmarks in its 2016 reassessment proposal. In order to remain ‘fit for the future’ and receive the benefits offered by the NSW Government, council must continue to show that it is effectively managing its infrastructure, with a focus on long term sustainability.
All assumptions detailed throughout the LTFP are based on ‘Model 1 – Service Levels Maintained’, the preferred model for adoption. This model represents an overall strategy that will ensure Council is able to effectively manage its infrastructure assets and be financially sustainable into the future. However, Council will review the LTFP year on year and adjust the model and or key assumptions accordingly.
Model 1 – Service Levels Maintained
‘Model 1’ is the base model used throughout this document and assumes a permanent 6% per year special rate variation across all categories in years 2017/18 – 2020/21. The scenario also models a $300K operational cost reductions/savings, commencing with $150K saving in 2017/18 and $150K in 2018/19.
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS: ‘Model 1’ being the recommended model for adoption adequately addresses all seven of the ‘fit for the future’ ratios. The primary focus of the LTFP was addressing the operating performance ratio by returning to surplus as soon as practical. This aligns with IPART’s 2015 ‘must meet’ criteria in order to be financially sustainable in the long term. Under ‘Model 1’ Council’s operating performance ratio for Council’s general fund will be met by the year 2020/21.
TENDER; PROVISION OF FIXED VOICE AND MOBILE PHONE SERVICES CONTRACT 2017-19
Background: In 2014 Bellingen Shire Council entered into a two-year contract with Telstra for delivery of fixed voice and mobile services. The agreement was for:
- Phone calls made from landlines
- Phone calls made from mobile phones
- SMS messages made from mobile phones
- Data used on mobile devices
The contract has been successful in:
- Providing a single pricing model for all phone calls, mobile messages and data sessions
- Providing mobile phones at reduced cost
- Offering single points of contact for enquiries related to: faults (including emergency situations), billing, mobile device requests, mobile service additions and changes, landline service additions and changes
Based on previous usage from the previous phone contract, estimated annual costs at start of contract, were $120,000. Average monthly expenditure has been $8,177.23, so actual annual costs have been $110,000. Total estimated value of the contract is $110,000 per year. The minimum contract term is 24 months. Total estimated expenditure is $220,000 which exceeds the tender threshold of $150,000, meaning a procurement exercise is required.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION NEW SECONDARY DWELLING
Recommendation: That Council grant consent to the development application subject to the following conditions:
1. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans – amended by the following conditions.
2. The rural address for this development is Cottage 2 2749 Waterfall Way. The number must be displayed in a prominent location near the approved driveway access.
3. The secondary dwelling must not be used as a tourist facility without prior approval of Council.
4. All building work must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia.
5. No building works are to commence until the Principal Certifying Authority for building work to be carried out on a site is satisfied that:
- the principal contractor for the work is the holder of the appropriate licence and is covered by the appropriate insurance if required by the Home Building Act 1989, unless the work is to be carried out by an owner-builder, and
- the owner-builder is the holder of any owner-builder permit required under the Home Building Act 1989.
6. A sign detailing the name and address and contact number of the builder or prime contractor and the Principal Certifying Authority is required to be displayed on the site during construction, stating “NO UNAUTHORISED ENTRY TO SITE”.
7. The site and surrounding areas are to be kept in a clean and tidy condition at all times. Waste paper must be stored in a closed receptacle. Any construction works involving the generation of noise which extends beyond the boundary of the premises shall be confined to 7.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Saturday.
8. If Aboriginal objects are present or uncovered due to development activities, all works shall halt in the immediate area to prevent any further impacts to the find or finds, to resume only in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Environment and Heritage and the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
9. The proposed use must not be conducted in such a manner as would interfere with the amenity of the neighbourhood by reason of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, vapour, steam, soot, ash, dust, waste water, waste products, grit, oil or otherwise.
10. All roof and surface stormwater is to be discharged on site in a nuisance free manner and directed away from the effluent disposal area
ADOPTION OF CONTAMINATED LAND POLICY & GUIDELINES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Mid North Coast Regional Organisation of Councils (MIDROC) have identified the need for an improved level of management of contaminated land throughout the region.
This has resulted in the implementation of a regional Contaminated Land Program. As part of this program, a Model Contaminated Land Policy (and Guidelines) has been developed which can be adopted by the various member Councils for their own local government areas.