Minutes of Extraordinary Council Meeting

Extraordinary Council Meeting Minutes

6 October 2020

MINUTES OF Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Extraordinary Council Meeting
HELD AT THE Council Chambers, Gundagai
ON Tuesday, 6 October 2020 AT 4:00PM

PRESENT: Cr Abb McAlister (Mayor), Cr Dennis Palmer (Deputy Mayor), Cr Leigh Bowden, Cr David Graham, Cr Gil Kelly, Cr Penny Nicholson, Cr Doug Phillips, Cr Charlie Sheahan, Cr Craig Stewart

IN ATTENDANCE: Phil McMurray (General Manager), Kay Whitehead (Interim Deputy General Manager), Wayne Bennett (Manager Waste, Parks & Recreation Services)

1 Acknowledgement of Country

The Chairperson acknowledged the Wiradjuri people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land at which the meeting was held and paid his respects to Elders, both past and present, of the Wiradjuri Nation and extended that respect to other Aboriginal people who were present.

2 Open Forum – Open Forum is not held in extraordinary meetings of council

Nil

3 Apologies

4 Disclosures of Interest

Cr Phillips disclosed a less than significant pecuniary interest in item 6.2 Cootamundra Aquatic Centre and Sports Stadium Reviewed Expressions of Interest

5 General Manager’s Report

5.1 Business

5.1.1 Call for Nominations of Motions for the LGNSW Conference

Resolution 297/2020

Moved: Cr David Graham

Seconded: Cr Dennis Palmer

That Local Government NSW call on the NSW Government to:

1. Work with NSW Councils to redesign the funding mechanism and implement a broad base property tax to replace the Emergency Services Levy on both Local Government and insurance policies.

2. Until such time as such a mechanism is introduced any proposed increases to the Emergency Services Levy shall be limited to the annual rate peg percentage increase to local government. Further, any increase greater than the rate peg percentage increase be paid by the NSW Government.

Carried

Resolution 298/2020

Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden

Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson

The NSW Government introduce a Capital Improved Value to the New South Wales rating system as an option available to all Councils. This is so that growth and rates and revenue outside the rate peg percentage be calculated on changes to the Capital Improved Value as this would enable growth in the rate base to keep pace with real growth and associated increases in demand for council infrastructure and services. In light of such support increasing the income of city Councils, then a redistribution of Financial Assistance Grants to rural Councils be considered at the same time, to enhance financial sustainability for the sector.

Carried

Resolution 299/2020

Moved: Cr David Graham

Seconded: Cr Charlie Sheahan

That Local Government NSW continue to oppose ongoing cost shifting by the NSW Government to local government, such as the Emergency Services Levy, Local Council Elections, and the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.

Carried

Resolution 300/2020

Moved: Cr David Graham

Seconded: Cr Charlie Sheahan

That Local Government NSW call on the NSW Government to:

Reconsider the factors that determine the allocation of Financial Assistance Grants, being road distance and other terrain issues, so that local government areas with difficult terrain receive a fairer distribution of Financial Assistance Grants. This is for the reason that the cost to build a kilometre of road in undulating and mountainous country is substantially more expensive that in the tablelands.

Carried

5.2 Assets

5.2.1 Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy

Resolution 301/2020

Moved: Cr Gil Kelly

Seconded: Cr Doug Phillips

1. The Report on the Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy and role and Purpose of the Project Reference Group and CGRC Integrated Water Cycle Management Issues Paper attached to the report, be received and noted.

2. Council determine the membership of the Project Reference Group:

· Manager Assets

· Goldenfields Water County Council Representative - letter of offer of position

· Cr McAlister (Mayor ), Cr Palmer (Deputy Mayor) and Cr Graham.

· Water and sewer staff

· Council send a letter to two nominated community representatives detailing the Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy Project Reference Group containing an offer of the position of community representative on the Project Reference Group.

Carried

6 Confidential Items

6.1 Confidential

Resolution 302/2020

Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden

Seconded: Cr Dennis Palmer

1. Item 6.2 be considered in closed Council at which the press and public are excluded in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Local Government Act, 1993 and related public interest reasons detailed.

2. In accordance with section 11 (2) and (3) of the Local Government Act, 1993, the reports, correspondence and other documentation relating to Item 6.2 be withheld from the press and public.

6.2 Cootamundra Aquatic Centre and Sports Stadium Reviewed Expessions of Interest

Provisions for Confidentiality

Section 10A (2) (d(i)) – The Confidential Report contains commercial information of a confidential nature that would, if disclosed prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it.

Public Interest

It is considered that discussions of this matter in open Council would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest as it would prejudice Council's ability to secure the optimum outcome for the community.

Carried

6.2 Cootamundra Aquatic Centre and Sports Stadium Reviewed Expressions of Interest

Note: Having disclosed and less than significant pecuniary interest in this item Cr Phillips left the meeting.

Resolution 303/2020

Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden

Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly

1. The report on the Cootamundra Aquatic Centre and Sports Stadium Expressions of Interest be received and noted.

2. Council accept the revised offer of $308,000 (exc. GST) from L&R Group to Manage the Cootamundra Aquatic Centre and Sports Stadium.

3. Council delegate authority to the General Manager to negotiate the contract terms with L&R Group for the Management of the Cootamundra Aquatic Centre and Sports Stadium.

Carried

6.3 Resumption of Open Council Meeting

Resolution 304/2020

Moved: Cr David Graham

Seconded: Cr Charlie Sheahan

The Open Council meeting resume.

Carried

6.4 Announcement of Closed Council Resolutions

Note: The Chairperson announced the resolutions made in Closed Council.

The Meeting closed at 4:50 PM.

The minutes of this meeting were confirmed at the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 27 October 2020.

................................................... ...................................................

CHAIRPERSON GENERAL MANAGER