A monthly Council Meeting was held virtually last night, Tuesday 26 October, with all Councillors in attendance. The meeting was livestreamed on Council’s YouTube page.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Following the Acknowledgement of Country, there were no questions submitted for Public Question Time.
DELEGATES REPORT
The Delegates Report followed, with Councillor providing updates on a range of meetings and engagements over the past month.
ADOPTION OF GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE MUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLBEING ACTION PLAN 2021-2025
At its 28 September meeting, Council endorsed the Draft Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Action Plan 2021-2025 for public exhibition. Following a three-week exhibition period during which no submissions were received, Council adopted the Action Plan, in accordance with the Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008.
ADOPTION OF MOBILE TRADERS POLICY
The Mobile Traders Policy defines Council’s commitment to existing bricks and mortar businesses within the Shire, whilst permitting residents the opportunity to access different types of foods and services. This framework will enable Council to provide a consistent approach to the issuing of mobile trading permits.
The Draft Mobile Traders Policy was presented to Council at its May 2021 meeting and it was endorsed for public exhibition. From 1 to 29 June 2021, 42 submissions were received and considered in the development of the final Policy, which was adopted by Council.
Note: Mayor Cr Helena Kirby declared a conflict of interest for this item.
G21 AND AFL BARWON TOWARDS 2030: STRATEGY
The G21 and AFL Barwon Towards 2030: Strategy is designed to guide the future planning and development of football and netball throughout the G21 Region for the next 10 years. The Draft Strategy was placed on public exhibition for residents of Golden Plains Shire earlier in the year and received 21 local submissions. Council endorsed the G21 and AFL Barwon Towards 2030: Strategy.
GROWING SUBURBS FUND - ROKEWOOD COMMUNITY HUB AND PAVILION UPGRADE
Council considered and endorsed the submission of a grant application to the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund for the Rokewood Community Hub and Pavilion Upgrade. Council also noted that Council officers will continue to consider and engage on a revised scope and costing option for the Rokewood Community Hub and Pavilion Upgrade in the event of an alternate (lesser) funding amount being proposed to Council by the Growing Suburbs Fund.
ADOPTION OF GOVERNANCE RULES
At its 28 September meeting, Council resolved to place on public exhibition the draft Governance Rules amendments, in accordance with Section 60(4) of the Local Government Act 2020. The proposed amendments to the Governance Rules were placed on public exhibition for three weeks and no public submissions were received.
Council adopted the Governance Rules with an alternate motion that the amendments to the Governance Rules are brought back to the chamber for re-evaluation in a period of six months; and an amendment to clause 25.2.2 to change the figure from $100,000 to $10,000.
DRAFT DOMESTIC ANIMAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022-2025
Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all Victorian councils are required to develop and review a Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) every four years. In developing the Plan for Golden Plains Shire, Council opened a community survey and received 327 responses, which provided valuable input into the Plan. Council endorsed the Draft DAMP 2022-2025 for public exhibition for three weeks and welcomes community feedback.
COUNCILLOR DRAFT SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY FOR REVIEW
In February 2021, the Audit and Risk Committee and Council were presented with the findings of the Audit report conducted by the Victorian Audit Generals Office (VAGO) on Sexual Harassment in Local Government. To deliver on a recommendation of the audit, a standalone councillor sexual harassment policy has been developed and Council resolved to adopt the policy.
FINANCE QUARTER 1 UPDATE
Council considered and resolved to note the Quarterly Finance Report for the first quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, ending 30 September 2021.
COVID-19 HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE AND RECOVERY PLAN
As of 30 September 2021, a total of $13,700 in rebates has been paid to customers in the first quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, under Council’s COVID-19 Hardship Assistance and Recovery Plan. Council noted the update on the Plan.
LONG TERM FINANCIAL PLAN
Under section 91 of the Local Government Act 2020, there is a requirement for all Victorian councils to prepare a 10-year financial plan by 31 October 2021. Council’s Draft Long Term Financial Plan was endorsed by Council for public exhibition at its July meeting and following the three-week exhibition period, no submissions were received.
Council adopted the Long Term Financial Plan 2021/22 - 2030/31 with the following addition:
Council request a report to be brought to the February 2022 Council Briefing to strategically consider:
- Options available to reduce Council’s debt levels including what the long-term implications of a debt reductions strategy are; and
- Options available to reduce the forecasted Waste Management Charge
PROCUREMENT POLICY UPDATE
The Local Government Act 2020 requires that Council prepare and approve a Procurement Policy, and review the Procurement Policy at least once during its four-year term and amend it as necessary. An annual review of the Procurement Policy was completed and adopted at the 29 June 2021 Council Meeting. Council considered and adopted a minor update to the Procurement Policy that consolidated and provided clarity to the policy, notably to section 9, Alternative Arrangements.
GPSC-RFQ-11-2021 MOTOR GRADER REPLACEMENT
Council is seeking to purchase a new motor grader to replace an existing Caterpillar P300 Motor Grader. Following a tender process, Council resolved to award the contract RFQ-11-2-21 Motor Grader to William Adams Pty Ltd for the sum of $426,485 exclusive of GST; and delegated to the CEO or his delegate, the authority to execute the contract on behalf of Council.
CEO EMPLOYMENT AND RENUMERATION POLICY
Section 45 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires that Council prepare and approve a CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy by 31 December 2021. The policy has been prepared by Council officers and reviewed by Maddocks Lawyers to ensure that it complies with the requirements of the Act. Council adopted the CEO Employment and Renumeration Policy and approved the commencement of an engagement process to appoint an Independent Member in line with policy requirements.
COUNCILLOR EXPENSES AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
Council noted the report which provided a record of expenditure made on behalf of Councillors in the performance of their duties, as well as an update on Councillor attendance at both scheduled and unscheduled meetings of Council, for the first quarter of the 2021/22 financial year.
CONFIDENTIAL REPORT
There were no notices of motion and no petitions for decision on the Council Agenda. Council considered a Confidential Report: Chief Executive Officer Performance Review – Annual Review Report.
The next meeting of Council is the Mayoral Election on Tuesday 16 November, following by a Council Meeting on Tuesday 23 November, 2021. The location of these meeting is to be determined. All Council Meeting are available by livestream on Council’s YouTube page.
WATCH THE Mayor's Meeting Summary Video
Watch Mayor Cr Helena Kirby's summary video to find out what was discussed and decided at Golden Plains Shire Council's Meeting on 26 October 2021.
WATCH THE 26 October 2021 MEETING OF COUNCIL
Watch the recording of the 26 October 2021 Meeting of Council.