The June Council meeting was held in Linton on Tuesday 26 June. With a number of items on the agenda, including the adoption of the Budget, 15 community members came along.
See below for a summary of the meeting; the full minutes will be available here by Friday 29 June.
Council Plan 2017-21 Annual Review Recommended for Adoption
Following the first year of the Council term, the Council Plan 2017-21, as required under the Local Government Act (1989), was reviewed. Following community consultation, a number of changes were made to the Plan, and as required under the Act, it was placed on public exhibition. No further submissions were received on the re-drafted Plan and, as a result, it was adopted by Council.
Adoption of 2018-19 Golden Plains Shire Council Budget
Golden Plains Shire Council adopted the 2018-19 Budget, following a wide-ranging engagement and submission process.
In line with the State Government's Fair Go Rates System, the Budget supports an average rate increase of 2.25% per assessment. It sees $15.1M investment in capital assets including roads, streets and infrastructure (including increased expenditure of $750K allocated to the construction and maintenance of road and street infrastructure, in direct response to community feedback).
Council received a total of 34 submissions to the draft Budget; these addressed seven key issues, mostly pertaining to the increase in the Childcare fees. As a result of those submissions, Council reduced the fee increase from $135 to $123 per day.
View the 2018-19 Budget media release to find out more.
Planning application P18-060 (Dog Breeding)
Council considered a planning permit application for a Dog Breeding facility in Cambrian Hill. Although objections were received, the officers recommended approval subject to a long list of conditions, and the Council supported that recommendation. Council agreed, with the inclusion of an additional condition relating to waste management.
Planning application P17-251 (Construction of a House)
Officers recommended the refusal of the application P17-251 due to concerns with the access to the property and Council supported this recommendation. It was noted, however, that the officers have been working with the applicant and that an alternative access has been identified and would likely see the application supported in the future.
Community Satisfaction Survey 2018
Each year, the Local Government Victoria (LGV) coordinates a State-wide Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey throughout Victorian local government areas. Council has shown improvement in all seven core measures and the overall performance index score of 52 represents a three point improvement since 2017. Ratings for sealed local roads and community decisions are at their highest points to-date. Council is delighted to see that the efforts we are putting in are being recognised by residents, but we know there is still significant room for growth and improvement.
2018/19 Community Grants Program Report
Each year Council provides over $100k of grants to local community groups. This year, we received 36 applications, requesting $129K in funding. Council approved 34 projects, and awarded $105K in funding.
This year marks the 22nd year of Council’s Community Grants Program. Since 1996 this program has supported 930 community projects across the Shire and we are so happy to continue to continue this proud tradition.
The Community Grants is one of a number of ways that Council helps support innovative and important community projects.
Bannockburn Library Opening Hours Trial
Following a successful trial in new opening hours at the Bannockburn Library, Council agreed with the officer recommendation to continue the earlier opening hours, with some slight changes to the closing times, based on low usage during those times. These changes are in direct response to the needs of the community.
Amendment C75 – Adoption of the Panel Report
After receiving the independent panel report relating to the rezoning of land from farming to low density residential in Inverleigh, Council agreed to now forward Amendment C75 to the Minister of Planning for final approval.
Feature Naming – Ross Creek Hall
Every now and then Council receives requests to formally name things (buildings, places, roads) under the Geographic Place Names Act. In this case, it was to formally name the Ross Creek Community Hall as the Morrissey Memorial Hall. Council agreed to endorse this name and put it out to public consultation.
Review of Appointments and Authorisations – Planning and Environment Act 1987
Council is required to make sure that our officers are formally ‘Appointed’ and ‘Authorised’ to make decisions under various Acts. In this case, they approved to authorise some Planning Officers under the Planning and Environment Act, where certain powers can only be delegated directly by Council to an approved Officer.
Minor Civil Works & Wet Plant Hire (GPS-RFT5/2018) – Awarding of Tender
Council regularly hires plant and equipment to help us undertake work at the depot. As a result, we undertook a tenders for the Provision of Minor Civil Works & Wet Plant Hire (equipment & operator). 15 tenders were received, and now we have a list of preferred and approved contracts that we can call upon when needed.
Variation to Recyclable Materials Receival and Processing Contract (Contract No. 0913)
The Recycling crisis relates to China no longer accepting our recycling. After previously receiving money for our recycling, we are now having to pay to get rid of it. As a result, we had to change the contract we have with SKM Recycling Pty Ltd (SKM) but in order to do this, Council’s approval is required. Council approved the amended contract.
Housekeeping
As part of the regular housekeep, officers reviewed a number of policies and presented these to Council for endorsement – Council Policy 6.3 - Township Maintenance, Council Policy 6.8 - Asset Management and Council Policy 3.4 - Private Works were endorsed by Council.
Acknowledgement of staff achievement
Lastly, the Mayor acknowledged the efforts of Council’s IT team, which received the Highly Commended Award in the Innovation Management Category at the 2018 LGPro Awards for the GIS Shared Services Project with Brimbank Council.
Learn more about the project here.
Thanks for taking the time to read our Council meeting summary; the full minutes will be available here by Friday 29 June.