Addendum Agenda of Ordinary Meeting - Wednesday, 30 June 2021

904

Ordinary Meeting

30 June 2021

Corporate Services Report

CORP 05

Delivery Program 2017-2022, Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges

Strategic Direction	Leading through Collaboration Strive for best practice in all Council processes
File Ref	187161.2021
Report By	Hiba Soueid - Manager Corporate Strategy and Performance Vishwa Nadan - Chief Financial Officer
Approved By	George Hampouris - Acting Director Corporate Services

Executive Summary

At the Council meeting on 26 May 2021, Council resolved to:

1. Place the draft Delivery Program 2017-2022 and Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges on Public Exhibition for 28 days;

2. Include a table that indicates each Councillor’s attendance at all Council meetings, committee meetings, and briefing sessions for this term of Council, under the Your Council section of the Delivery Program 2017-2022 and Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022;

3. Receive a further report at the June 2021 Council meeting after a review of public submissions; and

4. Note the amendments to the Principal Activities in the 2021-2022 Operational Plan as tabled.

This report provides an overview of the submissions received during the public exhibition process and proposes to adopt Council’s draft Delivery Program 2017-2022 and Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022 (DPOP), including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges in accordance with Sections 404 and 405 of the Local Government Act (1993).

This report also provides information on changes which were made to the document during the public exhibition period, including changes to the companion animal registration fees in accordance with an Office of Local Government Companion Animals (Adjustable Fee Amounts) Notice 2021, published on 3 June 2021. The Companion Animals fee adjustment is tabled in Attachment A and the accompanying Notice in Attachment B.

In addition, Council received notice that it can continue to collect income from the environmental compliance levy until 31 December 2021. This has resulted in a $1.3 million increase to Council’s operating revenue and with that a $1.3 million decrease to Council’s net operating deficit. The draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan has been updated to reflect this change.

The documents were placed on public exhibition from 27 May until 23 June 2021. At the time of writing this report, Council had received feedback through several mediums, including a formal submission, comments on social media, feedback from an information evening and responses to a survey on the draft documents. Detailed information on the feedback received and responses from Council officers is outlined in the body of this report.

Should any further submissions be received, these will be collated and presented to Council in a supplementary report.

As per Council’s resolution, a table was included in the 2021-2022 Delivery Program and Operational Plan that indicates Councillor’s attendance at all Council meetings, committee meetings, and briefing sessions for this term of Council. This can be found on pages 9-20.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1. Adopts the Draft Delivery Program 2017-2022 and Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges; and

2. Makes the fees and charges for the period commencing on 1 July 2021 as outlined in the draft Revenue Pricing Policy.

REPORT

Overview

At its meeting on 26 May 2021, Council resolved to place the draft Delivery Program 2017-2022 and Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges on public exhibition for 28 days. The draft plans were on public exhibition from 27 May until 23 June 2021.

The draft Delivery Program 2017-2022 activates the Community Strategic Plan (CSP), Our Home, Liverpool 2027, through actions and ongoing measures that are divided into the four directions outlined in the CSP. These directions address the quadruple bottom line and encompass the social, environmental, economic, and civic leadership priorities for Liverpool.

The draft Operational Plan 2021-2022 details the actions that Council will undertake within the financial year. These plans are incorporated into one document that also includes the budget and capital works program. All Principal Activities in the plan are reported on bi-annually.

The draft Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges is attached under separate cover and outlines the proposed rates, fees and charges for 2021-2022. Council’s budget is required to be adopted in June each year for implementation in line with the new financial year on July 1.

Public Exhibition and submissions

The Draft Delivery Program 2017-2022 and Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges were exhibited via the following mediums:

· Council’s website, Public Exhibition and Notices Page;

· Liverpool Listens;

· Council’s social media pages including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn;

· Liverpool Life e-newsletter – circulated 8 June 2021;

· Direct e-mails to several of Council’s mailing lists;

· Liverpool Champion newspaper– circulated 2 and 16 June 2021; and

· Council’s Customer Service Centre and Library.

Community Information Session

Council invited residents to attend a Community Information Session on 10 June 2021 to review and discuss Council’s plans, budget and capital works program. The session was promoted via Council’s website, Facebook page, Liverpool Champion newspaper and Liverpool Life e-newsletter. In addition, an email invitation was distributed to several of Council’s e-mail databases.

Attendees had the opportunity to provide feedback on the plans and ask questions directly to Council officers. Minutes of the Community Information Session and responses to questions asked are available in Attachment C.

Online Survey

Residents were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Delivery Program 2017-2022 and Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, by participating in a survey. Participation automatically placed residents in the draw to win one (1) of two (2) Bellbird Dining and Bar Vouchers. The survey was promoted through Liverpool Listens and on Council’s social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. It was also advertised in the Liverpool Champion local paper and featured a QR code which provided easy access the survey.

In summary, most respondents found the Delivery Program and Operational Plan well-structured and easy to read. Suggestions identified for the Liverpool area included:

· An increased focus on social connection and events in local suburbs to provide opportunities for residents to socialise;

· Road safety and infrastructure;

· Additional recreational centres and activities for children;

· Increased focus on environmental sustainability and activities, including an increase in renewable energy on council buildings;

· Efficient and effective determination of development assessments;

· Additional street lighting to assist with crime prevention along with exploring other forms of prevention;

· Undertaking a cost analysis on leased properties to ensure a return on investment and savings to the rate payer;

· In-sourcing of Council’s leisure centres;

· Comments regarding amenity in the city centre, including repair of uneven pavers;

· Providing inclusive opportunities for community education (e.g. workshops and information in CALD languages);

· Improving accessibility and opportunity by improving transport systems; and

· Investment in small businesses.

A table outlining the responses received to the survey is available in Attachment D.

Social Media

Council’s Facebook posts generated 27 positive reactions and one (1) comment as follows; “I think you guys should copy an initiative from George’s River Council called ‘Uncontained” this comment was sent to the Events business unit for consideration. LinkedIn generated six (6) positive reactions. Instagram generated five (5) positive reactions.

In total, Facebook reached more than 7,900 people, 5,459 impressions and an engagement of 246 and LinkedIn received 679 impressions with an engagement of 4.12%.

Staff submissions

Staff reviewed the draft documents during the exhibition period and proposed six (6) amendments which are outlined in the table below. Several minor editorial changes were also made that do not change the content or nature of the report. These are outlined in the table below.

Principal Action

Reason

Business Unit

Principal Action L.3.01

· Convene committee meetings (Youth Council, Aboriginal Consultative, Safety and Access)

· Convene 25 sessions of the Liverpool District Forum and four Council committees

Replace with;

· Convene 25 sessions of the Liverpool District Forum and four Council committees (Youth Council, Aboriginal Consultative, Safety and Access)

Community Development

Principal Action G.2.01

· Implement a Business to Business Program for non-retail businesses affected by COVID-19

Action to be amended to read;

· Develop a five-year small business strategy that will include programs and activities to recover from economic shock.

City Economy & Growth

Principal Action G.2.02

· Promote Liverpool’s diverse specialty shopping precinct via the #LoveLivo campaign

· Deliver actions from the Destination Management Plan

· Action to be moved to Principal Action G.2.06

Principal Action G.2.03

· Deliver actions from the Small Business Strategy

Action to be amended to read;

· Develop small business strategy and deliver actions short-term

Principal Action G.2.04

· Deliver actions from the Jobs Investment and Digital Action Plans

Remove action from G.2.04 as it is an action item in the City Deal Action Plan -Principal Action L.4.07

Principal Action G.2.06

· Engage in partnership opportunities with cultural tourism enterprises

Action to be removed as is it included as an action item in the Destination Management Plan

Public Submissions

At the time of writing this report, Council received one formal submission in response to the public exhibition process.

The submission requested further information on several areas of Council’s budget, however these were related to this financial year as opposed to the budget outlined in the draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan. This information is being sent directly to the community member.

Should any further submissions be received, they will be tabled at the June Council meeting via a memo.

Compliance Levies

The NSW Government undertook a review of environmental compliance levy charges by councils which initially had determined that Council was unable to charge environmental compliance levies from 1 July 2021. During the public exhibition period, Council was notified that a six-month transition period will be introduced to allow councils that already charge compliance levies on DAs to continue doing so until 31 December 2021.

This has resulted in a $1.3 million increase in operating revenue and in turn a $1.3 million decrease in net operating deficit. Council’s budget has been updated to include this information.

Changes to Companion Animal Fees

Fees and charges relating to companion animals are governed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018. During the public exhibition period, Council received a notice from the NSW Office of Local Government outlining changes to the fees related to this regulation. Consequently, Council’s Draft Revenue Pricing Policy Fees and Charges 2021-22 has been updated to reflect the new fees. A summary of the fee changes can be found in attachment A -2021/2022 Fees and Charges Amendments Companion Animal Fees.

CONSIDERATIONS

Governance

The Delivery Program and Operational Plan sets the direction for Council’s strategic agenda, including all economic, environmental, social and civic leadership requirements. Specifically, the Delivery Program and Operational Plan including Budget and Statement of Revenue Policy, it provides information about Council’s services, budget, roles and decision-making processes.

Legislation

The Delivery Program and Operational Plan have been developed in line with Section 404 and 405 of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1993

In particular Section 405 of the Local Government Act - Operational plan stipulates that:

(1) A council must have a plan (its
"operational plan" ) that is adopted before the beginning of each year and details the activities to be engaged in by the council during the year as part of the delivery program covering that year.

(2) An operational plan must include a statement of the council's revenue policy for the year covered by the operational plan. The statement of revenue policy must include the statements and particulars required by the regulations.

(3) A council must prepare a draft operational plan and give public notice of the draft indicating that submissions may be made to the council at any time during the period (not less than 28 days) that the draft is to be on public exhibition. The council must publicly exhibit the draft operational plan in accordance with the notice.

(4) During the period of public exhibition, the council must have for inspection at its office (and at such other places as it may determine) a map that shows those parts of its area to which each category and sub-category of the ordinary rate and each special rate included in the draft operational plan applies.

(5) In deciding on the final operational plan to be adopted, a council must consider any submissions that have been made concerning the draft plan.

The council must post a copy of its operational plan on the council's website within 28 days after the plan is adopted.

Amendments to the companion animal registration fees have been made in accordance with the Office of Local Government Companion Animals (Adjustable Fee Amounts) Notice 2021 under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

Risk

The risk is considered a High Risk.

Failure to publicly exhibit and approve the Delivery Program and Operational Plan including Budget and Statement of Revenue Policy by the 30 June deadline may result in non-compliance with the above legislation and may result in enforceable action by the Office of Local Government, Planning and Policy.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Draft 2021-2022 Delivery Program and Operational Plan including Budget

2. Draft Revenue Pricing Policy Fees and Charges FY 2021-2022

3. Attachment A - 2021/2022 Fees and Charges Amendments
Companion Animal Fees

4. Attachment B - Companion Animals (Adjustable Fee Amounts) Notice 2021

5. Attachment C - Minutes of the Community Information Session

6. Attachment D - Delivery Program and Operational Plan Survey Responses

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CORP 05	Delivery Program 2017-2022, Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges
Attachment 1	Draft 2021-2022 Delivery Program and Operational Plan including Budget

PDF Creator

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CORP 05	Delivery Program 2017-2022, Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges
Attachment 2	Draft Revenue Pricing Policy Fees and Charges FY 2021-2022

PDF Creator

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CORP 05	Delivery Program 2017-2022, Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges
Attachment 3	Attachment A - 2021/2022 Fees and Charges Amendments / Companion Animal Fees

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CORP 05	Delivery Program 2017-2022, Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges
Attachment 4	Attachment B - Companion Animals (Adjustable Fee Amounts) Notice 2021

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CORP 05	Delivery Program 2017-2022, Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges
Attachment 5	Attachment C - Minutes of the Community Information Session

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CORP 05	Delivery Program 2017-2022, Operational Plan and Budget 2021-2022, including Revenue Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges
Attachment 6	Attachment D - Delivery Program and Operational Plan Survey Responses