Tag: local government act

Special Meeting of Council – Council Budget

Posted on by alex

In accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government Act 1989, a Special Meeting of Council has been called to formally consider the 2010-2014 Council Plan and the 2010/2011 Budget.

The Special Meeting of Council is required to place the proposed Council Plan and Budget on public exhibition to enable the community to formally comment on these proposals.  A  submissions panel, which includes Cr. Nora Lamont, Cr. Rob Steane and myself will be convened on Wednesday the 23rd of June to formally consider any submissions received during this process.

A second Special Meeting of Council will be held on Monday the 28th of June at 7.30 pm to formally consider any recommendations from the committee and the finalised Council Plan and Budget.

While there are a number of challenges over the course of this year, the City of Maroondah’s Council Plan and Budget aims to strengthen the capacity of the Council so that we can meet the growing and diverse needs of our community.

I encourage the community to read through these documents and to attend these meetings.

Media Release: Size and Timing of Landfill Levy Opposed

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The Eastern Region Mayors Group (ERMG) has written to Premier John Brumby urging the state government to reconsider the magnitude and timing of their recent announcement increasing landfill levies from 2010 and beyond.

Knox Mayor Councillor Joe Cossari said the Mayors of the eastern metropolitan region are deeply concerned about this announcement as it could have significant impact on Councils’ 2010/2011 budgets.

“Councils put a great deal of effort into preparing long-term financial plans to assist responsible planning and management. Significant financial burdens imposed at such short notice greatly impact the ability of Councils to deliver prudent and responsible financial management,” Cr Cossari said.

Councils are in the process of finalising draft budgets for 2010/2011 and are about to take them out to the community for consultation as required by the Local Government Act (1989).

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said an increase in landfill levies will impact on rates and charges in 2010/2011.

“Council can confirm that the any increase to landfill levies would need to be accounted for in Maroondah’s 2010/2011 Budget,” Cr Makin said.

“This would likely be covered by a rise in overall municipal rates and charges,” Cr Makin said.

“The exact rise has not yet been determined because of the number of variables coming into play when forming the Budget. However, we should be prepared for an additional rate rise if the State Government is successful in increasing landfill levies,” Cr Makin said.

Cr Cossari said the ERMG supported the increased recycling opportunities that would be created by the levy increase.

“However, we have advised Mr Brumby that there has been no consultation with Councils about this decision, which is most disappointing given that Councils are expected to collect the increased levies as well as implement various components of the program,” Cr Cossari said.

The magnitude and timing of the increase in landfill levies is expected to have a major and critical impact on 2010/2011 Council budgets resulting in significant last minute increases in Council rates and gate fees at Council transfer stations.

“Initial assessments indicate that in some municipalities there will be a need to increase rates by more than one per cent in 2010/2011 to offset the increase, together with significant increases in gate charges at transfer stations,” Cr Cossari said.

The increase in landfill levies for 2010/2011 from $9 per tonne to $30 tonne represents a massive increase of 233% in one year alone.

“The Mayors feel that Councils are being used as a state collection agency and are fearful that they will face the brunt of community backlash for the costs to comply with state decisions,” Cr Cossari said.

– ENDS –

Speaking to the Fab 50s Social Group

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The Fab 50s are a social group that meets at North Ringwood Community House.  The group aims to provide a social environment and alternates between off-site activities and meetings at the community house.

This morning I was invited as the guest speaker at the Fab 50s, where I discussed my involvement with the North Ringwood Community House and explained that due to the changes in the Local Government Act, I chose to resign from the committee of management, so that I could discuss matters affecting the community house within Council.

I also explained Council’s undertaking of the landowner assessment, which will begin to explore how the North Ringwood Community House could potentially exist as part of Norwood Reserve.  This initial assessment will consider the traffic and site implications, as well as discussions with the existing users. This initial assessment will help provide further details to assist in relocating North Ringwood Community House.

Given that many of the Fab 50s particiapnts live within the vicinity of Ringwood, I also discussed the importance of securing additional funding for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

While the State Government has announced funding for the redevelopment of the bus interchange and station forecourt, it is imperative that further funding is confirmed to ensure the creation of an integrated and accessible transport interchange.  Many of the Fab 50s participants retold their experiences with Ringwood Station and how they tend to avoid using the Station due to the steepness of the ramps and the lack of easy access.

Groups like the Fab 50s help promote social inclusion and reinforce how community houses assist in community development and empowering residents.

North Ringwood Community House 2010 AGM

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North Ringwood Community House is located at 120 Oban Road, located at the rear of the Holy Spirit Primary School in Ringwood North.  The North Ringwood Community House is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and offers a range of accredited courses, as well as adult education and social groups.

As a community based organisation, North Ringwood Community House is overseen by a voluntary committee of management and this afternoon the organisation held its annual meeting to elect committee members for the next twelve months.  While I was previously a committee member of the North Ringwood Community House, I have chosen not to seek re-nomination and have resigned from the committee.

While I enjoyed being a committee member of North Ringwood Community House, changes to the Local Government Act, prevent a Councillor from formally discussing matters involving an organisation, where they are part of its decision making body.  As a consequence, this has meant that I was unable to discuss the community house within formal council meetings.

Given these changes to the Local Government Act, I believe I will be better able to advocate for the community house if I was no longer a member of the committee of management.

During the past twelve months North Ringwood Community House prepared a new business plan and completed the feasibility study exploring potential sites for the organisation and its services.  The study identified Norwood Reserve along Warrandyte Road as the preferred site and Council will now able undertaking an assessment of this location, including consultation with existing users and exploring the traffic implications.

This assessment is expected to be completed by July, when Council will discuss the findings with the North Ringwood Community House.

Media Release: Council pushes for conflict of interest law amendments

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Maroondah City Council on Monday night endorsed a submission to the State Government identifying issues with the Local Government Act’s conflict of interest provisions.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said the submission highlighted Council’s concerns with elements of the provisions, which were established by the State Government in 2008.

“Maroondah City Council has a long-standing and ongoing commitment to serving the community with the highest levels of leadership, with associated standards of good governance and behaviours,” Cr Makin said.

“Conflict of interest laws are an important element of open and transparent governance and are welcomed by Council,” Cr Makin said. “As councillors, we would like the community to know we will always be acting on their behalf and in their best interest – conflict of interest laws are one way of achieving that.”

“However, the provisions set out by the State Government have caused much concern not only at the City of Maroondah, but across the Victorian local government sector,” Cr Makin said.

“Council’s submission on the State Government’s conflict of interest provisions reflects two key concerns – that the exclusion from debate of Councillors with an indirect interest in an agenda item may lead to important information being excluded from that debate; and that an increase in the complexity of the provisions warrants the establishment of a central resource, funded by the State Government, be available to councillors to seek advice on possible conflicts,” Cr Makin said.

“In relation to the first concern, Council strongly believes that councillors should be able to participate within debate on an issue even if they have an indirect interest. Currently, councillors are required to leave the room for both debate and the vote on such matters – previously, they could participate in debate and left only for the vote,” Cr Makin said.

“This would ensure that full information on the issue is available to Council as the councillor with the indirect interest frequently has the most amount of information on an issue,” Cr Makin said. “Secondly, Council is calling for the establishment of a central resource, funded by the State Government, for councillors to seek advice on possible conflicts.”

“Currently, the onus is on councillors to seek their own advice. Given the increasing scrutiny being placed on conflict of interest, and the associated increased complexity, the provision of such a service would be a reasonable step,” Cr Makin said.

Council’s submission was prepared in response to the State Government’s release of a discussion paper on the operational issues relating to conflict of interest provisions detailed under the Local Government Act.