Supplementary AGENDA  1R

 

Distributed on 18 June 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Meeting

                            

TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2020

 

6.30pm

 

In the spirit of open, accessible and transparent government, this meeting of the Inner West Council is being streamed live on Council’s website. Any part of this meeting that is held in closed session will not be recorded.

 

 

   


Council Meeting

23 June 2020

 

 

 

MEETING AGENDA – PRECIS

SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS

 

 

The following reports appear as late items as information required for the preparation of the reports was not available at the time of distribution of the Business Paper.

 

 

1          Reports for Council Decision

 

ITEM                                                                                                                                         Page

 

C0620(3) Item 19     Infrastructure Stimulus Program                                                              3

C0620(3) Item 20     Request for Postponement of Rates Notices.                                         5

 

 

 

  


Council Meeting

23 June 2020

 

 

Item No:         C0620(3) Item 19

Subject:         Infrastructure Stimulus Program           

Prepared By:      Elizabeth Richardson - Chief Operating Officer, Director Development & Recreation  

Authorised By:  Michael Deegan - Chief Executive Officer

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

THAT Council pool its developer contributions reserves and accelerate $20 million for the delivery of infrastructure projects, generally in line with the list provided in Attachment 1 to this report.

 

 

DISCUSSION

On the 18 May 2020, the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces issued a Direction under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, that read, in part:

 

“If a local council holds monetary contributions that have been paid for different purposes, including for purposes identified in more than one contributions plan that applies in the local government area concerned, the council is to endeavour to pool those contributions, and apply them progressively, in order to facilitate the provision of the public amenities and public services to which any of those contributions plans relate.”

 

The Direction instructs that councils are to endeavour to pool their collected contributions and progressively spend them, in a clear effort to support communities and create jobs.

 

Inner West Council currently has 23 separate developer contributions reserves, with a current balance of over $53 million. Accounting for projected expenditure for Council’s capital works program in the long-term financial plan, officers are of the view that around $20 million of unspent developer contributions could comfortably be pooled and targeted for expenditure in an accelerated infrastructure stimulus program.

 

A list of projects has been developed adhering to the principles of:

·    A short project delivery timeframe. Almost all projects are able to be delivered within 12 months, or 18 months in the case of the works to the Leichardt Park Aquatic Centre;

·    Sound asset management. Noting Council’s current infrastructure backlog of over $142 million, asset renewal has been given priority over new works; and

·    Prioritisation of projects where Council has already resolved that these works be undertaken (eg, shade sails, tree planting program)

 

The list is provided in Attachment No.1. Should surplus funding arise (such as through grant funding of any of these projects), other roads and footpath renewal projects will prioritised for delivery with these funds instead.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Noting that Council’s 2020/21 Annual Budget and Delivery Program is currently on exhibition, it is proposed that adjustments for this infrastructure stimulus program be made at the first quarterly budget review.

 

ATTACHMENTS

1.

List of Prioritised Projects for Infrastructure Stimulus

  


Council Meeting

23 June 2020

 

 


Council Meeting

23 June 2020

 

 

Item No:         C0620(3) Item 20

Subject:         Request for Postponement of Rates Notices.           

Prepared By:      Daryl Jackson - Chief Financial Officer  

Authorised By:  Melodie Whiting - Director Corporate

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

THAT Council resolve to postpone the 1st Instalment of 2020/21 Rates Notices to 31 August 2020.

 

 

 

DISCUSSION

Council resolved to delay the adoption of the 2020/21 Budget and Delivery Program until the end of July in line with the offer made by the Office of Local Government.  This was adopted during the Council Meeting on 28 April 2020 – Item 6.

 

The Rates installments for 2020/21 as a consequence can only be generated once the 2020/21 Delivery Program and Budget has been adopted.  To allow for rates notices to be generated and posted to ratepayers it is recommended that Council postpone the 1st installment of rates notices for 2020/21 to 31 August 2020.

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Nil

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.