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I hereby give notice that an Extraordinary Meeting of Council will be held on:
Agenda
Extraordinary Council Meeting 6 May 2024
Rob Williams General Manager
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I hereby give notice that an Extraordinary Meeting of Council will be held on:
Agenda
Extraordinary Council Meeting 6 May 2024
Rob Williams General Manager
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Extraordinary Council Meeting Agenda 6 May 2024
PUBLIC FORUM (held outside formal Council Meeting)
The Council may hold a public forum prior to each Ordinary Meeting of the Council for the purpose of hearing oral submissions from members of the public on items of business to be considered at the meeting (listed on the Agenda).
Public forums may also be held prior to Extraordinary Council Meetings and meetings of committees of the Council.
Public forums are to be chaired by the mayor or their nominee.
Request to Speak in the Public Forum
To speak at a public forum, a person must first make an application to the Council in the approved form. Applications to speak at the public forum must be received by 5pm on the working day before the date on which the public forum is to be held and must identify the item of business on the agenda of the Council meeting the person wishes to speak on, and whether they wish to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ the item.
Approved speakers at the public forum are to register with the Council any written, visual or audio material to be presented in support of their address to the Council, and to identify any equipment needs at 5pm on the working day before the Public Forum.
The General Manager or their delegate may refuse to allow such material to be presented.
A person may apply to speak on no more than 2 items of business on the agenda of the Council Meeting.
Legal representatives acting on behalf of others are not to be permitted to speak at a public forum unless they identify their status as a legal representative when applying to speak at the public forum.
The General Manager or their delegate may refuse an application to speak at a public forum.
No more than three (3) speakers are to be permitted to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ each item of business on the agenda for the Council Meeting.
If more than the permitted number of speakers apply to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ any item of business, the general manager or their delegate may, in consultation with the mayor or the mayor’s nominated chairperson, increase the number of speakers permitted to speak on an item of business, where they are satisfied that it is necessary to do so to allow the council to hear a fuller range of views on the relevant item of business.
Each speaker will be allowed three (3) minutes to address the Council. This time is to be strictly enforced by the Chairperson.
The Chairperson of the meeting can grant one extension of up to a maximum of two (2) minutes, should further information, be considered to be important to the Council. This is solely at the discretion of the Chair.
Speakers at public forums must not digress from their nominated item on the agenda. If a speaker digresses to irrelevant matters, the Chairperson is to direct the speaker not to do so. If a speaker fails to observe a direction from the chairperson, the speaker will not be further heard.
A councillor (including the chairperson) may, through the chairperson, ask questions of a speaker following their address at a Public Forum. Questions put to a speaker must be direct, succinct and without argument. Debate will not be permitted by the speaker, Councillors or staff.
Speakers are under no obligation to answer a question. Answers by the speaker, to each question are to be limited to three (3) minutes.
Speakers at public forums cannot ask questions of the Council, Councillors or Council staff.
The general manager or their nominee may, with the concurrence of the chairperson, address the council for up 5 minutes in response to an address to the council at a public forum after the address and any subsequent questions and answers have been finalised.
Where an address made at a public forum raises matters that require further consideration by council staff, the general manager may recommend that the council defer consideration of the matter pending the preparation of a further report on the matters.
The “Request to Speak in Public Forum”, at an Ordinary Council Meeting, can be obtained, from Council’s Administration Office, or by downloading it from Council’s website at:
http://www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au/speaking-at-public-forum-1232.html
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Use of mobile phones and
unauthorised recording of meetings
Councillors, council staff and members of the public must ensure that mobile phones are turned to silent during meetings of the council and committees of the council.
(As per Council’s Code of Meeting Practice)
A person must not live stream or use an audio recorder, video camera, mobile phone or any other device to make a recording of the proceedings of a meeting of the council or a committee of the council without the prior authorisation of the Council.
(As per Council’s Code of Meeting Practice)
AUDIO RECORDING NOTICE
Council advises that this Meeting will be recorded for the purpose of webcasting, and made available on the Internet. As such, all those present should refrain from making any defamatory statements. It is requested that Councillors within the duration of the Meeting, limit discussions to only the business on the agenda and what is permissible under our Code of Meeting Practice.
(As per
Council’s Code of Meeting Practice)
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Mayor Cr Darrell Tiemens |
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Deputy Mayor Cr Brett Dickinson |
Cr Rohan Boehm |
Cr Robert Browning |
Cr Ron Campbell |
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Cr John Clements |
Cr Greg Lamont |
Cr Lisa Richardson |
Cr Cathy Redding |
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General Manager Mr Rob Williams |
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Director Financial and Commercial Services Mr Ted Harrington |
Director Infrastructure Delivery Mrs Eloise Chaplain |
Director Planning and Sustainability Ms Donna Ausling |
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Extraordinary Council Meeting Agenda 6 May 2024
3 Recognition of Service Men & Women
4 Apologies/Granting of Leave of Absences
5 Declaration of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests
6 Items to be Considered in the Confidential (Public Excuded) Meeting
7.1 Draft 2024/2025 Operational Plan
Members and officers are asked to be upstanding for the opening prayer.
I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the Kamilaroi people, and pay my respects to Elders past and present.
Council acknowledges the sacrifice made by Australian service men and women, in particular those who gave their lives in defence of the freedom we enjoy today.
Councillors are reminded of their obligation to declare their interest in any matters listed before them.
In considering your interest, you are reminded to include pecuniary, non-pecuniary and conflicts of interest as well as any other interest you perceive or may be perceived of you.
Councillors may declare an interest at the commencement of the meeting, or alternatively at any time during the meeting should any issue progress or arise that would warrant a declaration.
Councillors must state their reasons in declaring any type of interest.
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Extract from Council’s Code of Meeting Practice Part 4 Section 17a. 17a. Which parts of a meeting can be closed to the public? (1) A Council, or a Committee of the Council of which all the members are Councillors, may close to the public so much of its meeting as comprises: (a) the discussion of any of the matters listed in Sub-Clause (2) below, or (b) the receipt or discussion of any of the information so listed. (2) The matters and information are the following: (a) personnel matters concerning particular individuals (other than Councillors), (b) the personal hardship of any resident or ratepayer, (c) information that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the Council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business, (d) commercial information of a confidential nature that would, if disclosed: i. prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it, or ii. confer a commercial advantage on a competitor of the Council, or iii. reveal a trade secret, (e) information that would, if disclosed, prejudice the maintenance of law, (f) matters affecting the security of the Council, Councillors, Council staff or Council property, (g) advice concerning litigation, or advice that would otherwise be privileged from production in legal proceedings on the ground of legal professional privilege, (h) information concerning the nature and location of a place or an item of Aboriginal significance on community land. (3) A Council, or a Committee of the Council of which all the members are Councillors, may also close to the public so much of its meeting as comprises a motion to close another part of the meeting to the public. (4) Members of the public may be allowed to make representations to or at a Council or Committee meeting for a period of up to three (3) minutes, immediately after the motion to close the part of the meeting. (5) is moved and seconded, as to whether that part of the meeting should be closed at the discretion of the Council |
THEME 4: OUR CIVIC LEADERSHIP
STRATEGIC DIRECTION 4: COUNCIL AS STRONG LEADERS FOR THE COMMUNITY
Through extensive community engagement, the Narrabri Shire community identified several civic leadership priority areas to be actioned over the 2022/2026 period.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Current services provided within the Narrabri Shire community include:
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§ Integrated strategic planning and reporting § Community engagement and consultation § Representation and governance § Human resource management § Customer services |
§ Information services § Financial services § Risk management § Compliance and regulation
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COMMUNITY OBJECTIVES
In partnership with the community, government and non-government agencies, the Operational Plan will work towards achieving the following civic leadership strategic objectives:
§ A transparent and accountable Council
§ A strong Council that advocates for the Community
§ A resilient and sustainable Council
KEY STAKEHOLDERS
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§ Narrabri Shire Council § Narrabri Shire Community § NSW Office of Local Government § New England Joint Organisation |
§ Department of Premier and Cabinet § Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet § State and Federal Government
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7.1 Draft 2024/2025 Operational Plan
Responsible Officer: Jason Townsend, Manager Governance and Risk
Author: Alice Gemmell-Smith, Senior Governance Advisor
Attachments: 1. Draft 2024/2025 Operational Plan ⇩
2. Appendix A - Draft 2024/2025 Revenue Policy & Fees and Charges ⇩
3. Appendix B - Draft 2024/2025 Operational Budget ⇩
4. Appendix C - Draft 2024/2025 Capital Works Program ⇩
Delivery Program Alignment
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4 Civic Leadership - Council as strong leaders for the Community |
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Objective |
4.1 A transparent and accountable Council |
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Strategy |
4.1.1 Ensure all operations are pre-planned and executed in the best interests of the community |
Executive Summary
The draft 2024/2025 Operational Plan (the Plan) and related attachments provides the public with an outline of Council’s strategic and business activities, spending, financial planning and fees and charges for the incoming financial year. This Plan marks the third Operational Plan from Council’s existing four-year 2022/2026 Delivery Program.
Under the NSW Government’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework the Plan must be publicly exhibited for 28 days prior to formal adoption. Hard copies of the Plan will be available to the community. After consideration of submissions and feedback, the final Operational Plan will be prepared and presented to Council for consideration and adoption at the June 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting.
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1. That Council endorse the following draft documents for public exhibition for a minimum period of 28 days pursuant to the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW): a. Draft 2024/2025Operational Plan; b. Draft 2024/2025 Revenue Policy; c. Draft 2024/2025 Fees and Charges; d. Draft 2024/2025 Operational Budget; and e. Draft 2024/2025 Capital Works Program.
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Background
All councils in NSW must have an annual Operational Plan, adopted before the beginning of each financial year, outlining the activities to be undertaken that year, as part of the four-year Delivery Program under the Integrated Planning and Reporting framework.
In 2009, the NSW Government introduced the current integrated planning and reporting framework for NSW Local Government. This was embedded into the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).It includes the requirement to prepare a long-term Community Strategic Plan, along with a four-year Delivery Program, Operational Program and Resourcing Strategy.
The Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework is developed pursuant to sections 406 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).
Current Situation
Under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), Council must prepare a Plan incorporating Council’s draft Budget, Fees and Charges and Revenue Policy and Capital Works Program each financial year.
The Plan incorporates actions identified in the four-year Delivery Program, the draft Operational Budget, the draft Capital Works Program, the draft Revenue Policy and draft Fees and Charges for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The actions identified in the Plan are a result of the pre-planning that exists in the Delivery Program, and other Council, State and Federal plans and strategies, to ensure Council is focusing on critical functions and priorities for the next 12 months.
The Plan details the activities Council will undertake during the next financial year to meet the Community’s Objectives as outline by the 2022/2032 Community Strategic Plan. The Plan sets the priority areas of focus for Council; detailing the programs, actions and capital works that will be carried out. It also shows the public the draft budget for the coming financial year and Council’s proposed revenue policy and fees and charges.
Once the Plan has been endorsed by Council, it will be publicly exhibited for a minimum of 28 days. Council must consider any submissions that have been made regarding the Plan during the 28 days. Council must have the 2024/2025 Operational Plan formally adopted before 1 July 2024.
Council’s Progress vs the Adopted 2022/2026 Delivery Program:
11 Actions have been identified as needing to be ‘carried over’ from the current financial year (2023/2024) to enable completion, as progress was delayed due to a variety of reasons, such as natural disasters and increased delays impacting supply chains.
71 new Actions have also been added. These have been identified following the development of new priorities arising in the current financial year. These actions are labelled as “New” in the draft Plan and will be assigned a unique number when the Plan is presented for Adoption to ensure progress for these items can be easily tracked throughout the year.
Financial Implications
This report proposes the public exhibition of the draft budget for 2024/2025 financial year. Council is not yet adopting the 2024/2025 budget.
In summary:
- Net Operating Result of $ $309,000 surplus before providing for capital grants and contributions of $11.87 million;
- Capital Works Program of $37.49 million; and
- 4.5% rate increase as a result of the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s Rate Peg.
Statutory and Policy Implications
Section 405 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) addresses the requirements and the process for the establishment, by a council, of an annual Operational Plan.
Section 406 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) identifies the guidelines councils are to follow to establish the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework.
Consultation
External Consultation
The Plan was developed following significant community consultation, undertaken to develop the 2022/2032 Community Strategic Plan.
If Council resolves to do so, further external consultation will commence with the draft documents being placed on public exhibition for a minimum period of 28 days. Council will call for and accept submissions from the public on the draft documents for further consideration at the current scheduled Ordinary Council Meeting of 25 June 2024.
Internal Consultation
There has been consultation with Council’s Executive Leadership Team and management to ensure the Plan represents Council’s and the community’s priorities through sound financial planning for the next financial year.
