Wrap up of the March 24 Ordinary Council Meeting
MAYORAL MINUTE
8.1 Mayoral Minute:
General Manager Performance Agreement
Council formally noted that the Mayor and General Manager James Roncon,
have reached agreement, with assistance of Local Government NSW Management
Solutions, on the Performance Agreement for the Armidale Regional Council
General Manager. Given the reduced numbers of Councillors since 12 December 2020,
for the remainder of the Council’s term a Committee of three Councillors will
comprise the Performance Review Committee for the first half yearly review. The
Performance Review Committee will comprise of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and one
Councillor nominated by the General Manager. The matter of future performance
reviews will be determined by the incoming Council.
9. NOTICES OF MOTION
9.5 Cost Shifting
It was resolved that Council will write to the local Member Hon Adam
Marshall M.P, to the Minister for Local Government Hon. Shelley Hancock and to
the NSW Premier and Treasurer as well as to the Prime Minister and the
Productivity Commission to protest the increasing impact of NSW and Federal
cost shifting from those levels of government to Local government.
10. LEADERSHIP FOR
THE REGION
10.3 Code of Meeting
Practice
A number of amendments to
the Code of Meeting Practice were adopted. It was resolved that Council
commence the public forum for both have ‘your say’ and ‘presentations’ at 3pm,
prior to the commencement of the Ordinary Council meeting at 4pm. Council also
endorsed the proposed changes to the policy which can be found in the meeting
attachments. The adopted policy will be provided to the Office of Local
Government as required under Schedule 2 Item 9 and to meet the requirements of
Compliance Report Two due 9 April, 2021. Clauses 3.3 and 3.4 of the policy have
been amended to include workshops and councillor briefings being open to the
public.
10.4 Tabling of
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest
Council noted the tabling of updated Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest for
Mayor Tiley, Councillor O’Brien and Councillor Galletly. It was also noted that
redacted Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest will be uploaded to Council website
as per the Public Access Act.
10.5 Councillor and
Staff Interaction Policy
Council endorsed a number of changes to the Councillor and Staff
Interaction Policy, including various insignificant language, formatting and
grammatical changes, the insertion of Councillor Request System, clarification
around obligations of staff and added the obligations of councillors.
The Draft Councillor
and Staff Interaction Policy will also be referred to the Office of Local
Government for review as required under the Performance Improvement Order. Council
will also delegate to the General Manager authority to exercise the
restrictions included in the Councillor and Staff Interaction Policy to impose
limitations on, prioritise, or delay response to disrespectful or excessive use
of the councillor request system and excessive use of Questions on Notice,
Notices of Motion and Committee reports.
11. GROWTH,
PROSPERITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
11.3 Sale of Property
Proceeds
The property sales which have been supporting Council’s General Fund cash
position, is unsustainable. A new Property Specialist role will shortly
commence recruiting. Council will consider the strategy for the proceeds from
property sales as part of a broader Reserves Policy to be developed in
conjunction with the 2021/22 operational plan and budget.
12. ENVIRONMENT AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
12.3 Proposal to
Update 2015 Armidale Flood Study
It was resolved that Council will update the 2015 Armidale Flood Study and
the General Manager will seek grant funding under the 2021-22 Floodplain
Management Grant Program.
12.5 Martins Gully Bridge Replacement - Contractor Engagement
The tender submitted by TOBCO of $618,636.36 ex GST for the Design and
Construction of Martins Gully Bridge Replacement was accepted.
12.7 Kempsey Road Reconstruction (Natural Disaster Recovery Works only)
- Engagement of a Panel of Contractors
Council accepted the Schedule of Rates and Wet Hire Rates submitted by
Contractors for the Kempsey Road Reconstruction Works. This is so Council can
undertake recovery works on Kempsey Road.
12.10 Implementation of NSW Government Park and Pay App for paid
parking at the airport
Council noted the report to implement the NSW Government Park and Pay App
at the Armidale Regional Airport.
12.11 Natural Resource Access Regulator - Notification of Penalty
Notice (Groundwater)
Council will review its management of water use to ensure it complies with
the Water Management Act 2000 and any Licence it holds.
12.12 Guyra Preschool and Long Day Care: Project Update Local Roads and
Community Infrastructure Phase 1: Update on Car Park (158 Bradley St, Guyra)
project
A new carpark will be constructed at the rear of the new Guyra Early
Childhood Learning Centre and grant funds need to be spent by June 30, 2021.
The report to Council identified a budget shortfall, and it was noted that the funding
of the budget shortfalls be referred to the draft 2021/22 budget process.
12.13 Kempsey Road (Natural Disaster Recovery Arrangements) - Removal
of Hazardous Trees
Hazardous trees adjacent to Kempsey Road are required to be removed for
public safety and road remediation. To eliminate risk to road users a
procurement exemption was sought under the Tender provision of the Local
Government Act (section 55)(3)(i). The General Manager will authorise
expenditure to Burgundy Heights to an upper limit of $1,650,000 including GST
for the Removal of Hazardous Trees on Kempsey Road, noting that a contract for
$878,064 (GST Inclusive) has already been awarded.
13. OUR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY
13.7 ‘Restore and Thrive’ – Realigning Council’s organisation structure
with a view to high performance outcomes
Council adopted an Executive Leadership Team structure comprising of three
Directors. The new structure will be part of a suite of enhancements the new
General Manager is rolling out to realign the ARC and create a high performing
culture that ultimately meets the expectations of the community it serves. The
Dattner Group has been engaged to undertake a ‘Culture Audit’ of Armidale
Regional Council which will form the basis of a benchmark for measuring
improvements and the journey towards a high performing organisation.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
16.1 Arts, Cultural and Heritage Advisory Committee
The committee supported the release of the Creative Arts Small Grants on
April 1. It was also resolved that an EOI be developed for a Guyra community
group or individual to collaborate with a local artist to create a mural for a
toilet block on Bradley Street. Council will explore options to engage the
previously chosen artist to create an artwork for another space in the LGA.
17. MATTERS OF AN URGENT NATURE
Hay donation
Armidale Regional Council will donate 40 bales of hay to neighbouring
regions affected by devastating floods, to help the farming communities
suffering the loss and damage of silage and winter stocks.
Published on 24 Mar 2021