MINUTES Special Meeting of Council...Special Meeting - 15 November 2016 PAGE 7 Policy Context...

MINUTES

Special Meeting of Council

7.30pm Tuesday 15 November 2016

VENUE:

Reception Room,

Bendigo Town Hall,

Hargreaves Street, Bendigo

NEXT ORDINARY MEETING:

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Bendigo Town Hall

Copies of the City of Greater Bendigo Council’s Agendas & Minutes

can be obtained online at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au

http://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/

Council Vision

Greater Bendigo - Working together to be Australia's most liveable regional city.

Council Values Council wants the community to continue to have reason to be proud of the city and will do this through:

Transparency - Information about Council decisions is readily available and easily understood;

Efficiency and effectiveness - Council provides services based on evidence of need and demonstrates continuous improvement in the delivery of services;

Inclusion and consultation - Council uses a range of engagement strategies to ensure community members can understand and take part in discussion that informs the development of new strategies and actions;

Clear decisive and consistent planning - In a rapidly growing municipality, Council undertakes to plan effectively for our long-term future;

Respect for community priorities and needs - Council will advocate for improved services for community members and will consider community impact and feedback the decisions it makes.

Themes 1. Planning for Growth

2. Presentation and Vibrancy

3. Productivity

4. Sustainability

5. Leadership and Good Governance

Special Meeting - 15 November 2016

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AGENDA

Contents

1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ............................................................................... 4

2. OPENING PRAYER .............................................................................................................. 4

3. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES ............................................................................................. 4

PRESENT ................................................................................................................................ 4

4. ELECTION OF MAYOR FOR 2016/2017 .............................................................................. 4

5. CONGRATULATIONS TO NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR ........................................................ 4

6. RESPONSE BY MAYOR FOR 2016/2017 ............................................................................ 4

7. ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR FOR 2016/2017 ............................................................... 5

8. RECORDING OF OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS OF OFFICE .............................................. 6

9. MAYOR'S AND COUNCILLORS' ALLOWANCES FOR 2016/2017 ..................................... 17

10. COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEES 2016/2017 ............................................... 20

11. COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR 2016/2017 MAYORAL TERM ................................... 22

12. CLOSE OF MEETING ..................................................................................................... 24


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1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

2. OPENING PRAYER

3. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

PRESENT

Cr Jennifer Alden Cr Matt Emond Cr George Flack Cr Rod Fyffe Cr Julie Hoskin Cr Andrea Metcalf Cr Margaret O'Rourke Cr James Williams Cr Yvonne Wrigglesworth Mr Craig Niemann (Chief Executive Officer) (Chair) Mr Peter Davies (Manager, Executive Services)

4. ELECTION OF MAYOR FOR 2016/2017

Cr Williams nominated Cr O'Rourke for the position of Mayor. As there were no further nominations, the Chair declared Cr O'Rourke elected as Mayor for 2016/2017. The Mayor assumed the Chair.

5. CONGRATULATIONS TO NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR

The Chief Executive Officer read out messages of congratulations to the newly elected Mayor. Councillors congratulated Cr O'Rourke on her election as Mayor.

6. RESPONSE BY MAYOR FOR 2016/2017

The Mayor acknowledged Councillors for her election as Mayor and outlined some of her aspirations for the term.


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7. ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR FOR 2016/2017

The Chair called for nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor for 2016/2017. Cr Flack nominated Cr Fyffe for the position of Deputy Mayor for 2016/2017. There being no further nominations, the Chair declared Cr Fyffe elected as Deputy Mayor for 2016/2017.


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8. RECORDING OF OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS OF OFFICE

Document Information

Author Peter Davies, Manager Executive Services

Responsible Craig Niemann, Chief Executive Officer Officer

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to record the taking of oaths and making affirmations of office by councillors-elect on Monday 7 November 2016.

Summary

A ceremony was held in the Town Hall reception room at 6.00pm on Monday 7 November 2016 at which the councillors-elect took the oath or made an affirmation of office in accordance with section 63(1) of the Local Government Act 1989 (Act). It is a requirement of the Act that this fact be recorded in the minutes of the Council.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council acknowledge the taking of the oath or making an affirmation of office, and the signing and dating of each before the Chief Executive Officer on Monday 7 November 2016, and recording in the minutes of this meeting of the Council. RESOLUTION

Moved Cr Fyffe, seconded Cr Emond. That the recommendation be adopted.

CARRIED

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Policy Context

Council demonstrates good governance and leadership.

Background Information

It is a requirement of the Act that a person elected to be a councillor is not capable of acting as a councillor until the person has taken the oath of office, or an affirmation as the case may be, as specified in the Act.

Report

A ceremony was held in the Town Hall reception room at 6pm on Monday 7 November 2016 at which the councillors-elect took the oath or made an affirmation of office. In accordance with section 63(2) of the Act, the oath was taken or the affirmation made before the Chief Executive Officer, and each was signed and dated in his presence. It is a requirement of the Act that this fact be recorded in the minutes of the Council. The signed oaths and affirmations are attached to this report.

Resource Implications

There are no resource implications.

Attachments

Oaths and Affirmations of Office


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9. MAYOR'S AND COUNCILLORS' ALLOWANCES FOR 2016/2017


Author Peter Davies, Manager Executive Services


Purpose

The purpose of this report is to publicly advertise the Mayor's and Councillors' Allowances that are in accordance with the Victorian Government's Policy Statement on Local Government Mayoral and Councillor Allowances and Resources (April 2008).

RECOMMENDATION

That Council publicly advertise the Mayor's and Councillors' allowances currently at the maximum level as set by the previous Council and seek public submissions.

RESOLUTION Moved Cr Alden, seconded Cr Metcalf. That the recommendation be adopted.

CARRIED

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Policy Context

Council demonstrates leadership in its decisions to meet future needs and challenges.


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Background Information

The support package consists of a three-category model of Council allowances based on revenue and population figures. It retains the flexibility of Councils in each category to set allowances within a range, in consultation with their community. Previous Council Decision(s) Date(s): 19 December 2012

Report

The City of Greater Bendigo is a Category 3 Council and the following maximum allowances currently apply: Councillor Mayor Min/Max Min/Max $12,065 - $28,907 Up to $92,333 An amount the equivalent of the Superannuation Guarantee Contribution (currently 9.5%) also applies. A review must be undertaken within seven (7) months of the election and involve a public submission process. Council has met this requirement at the very beginning of the term previously. Details of allowances include:

Allowances, ranges and the levels subsequently determined by Council within the range will be subject to adjustment by application of any percentage increases to Victorian statutory and executive officers;

The applicable increases will take effect after they have been published by the Minister for Local Government;

A remote travel allowance will continue to provide compensation for the time spent on long distances travelled by Councillors in remote areas. This allowance provides for a maximum limit of $5,000 per annum (at a daily rate of $40) or as may be amended from time to time by order in Council.

Level of the Mayoral and Councillor Allowance The City of Greater Bendigo is recognised in the highest category for allowances, along with the top twenty (20) Councils (and one of two in regional Victoria along with Geelong). This is an indication of the complexity of matters considered by Council and the high level of responsibility of Councillors. All previous Councils of the City of Greater Bendigo have applied the maximum allowance. All Councillors are paid the maximum allowance on commencement due to a resolution of the previous Council following a public review process.


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As the maximum allowance is being provided, the review process largely provides an opportunity for residents and others to comment if they wish. Council has the option of reducing the level of the allowances.

Consultation/Communication

If Council resolves to seek public comment on the proposed Mayoral and Councillor allowances for the Council term 2016-2020, the advertisement will indicate that Councillors are currently paid the maximum allowance due to a resolution of the previous Council. The advertisement will also indicate that any person may make a submission relating to Mayoral and Councillor Allowances under Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989 (the Act) within twenty-eight (28) days of the date of this notice and request an opportunity to be heard in support of a submission.


The budget was developed assuming that the maximum allowance would be paid.


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10. COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEES 2016/2017


Author Peter Davies, Manager Executive Services Responsible Craig Niemann, Chief Executive Officer Officer

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to appoint Councillors to various Council and community committees for the 2016/2017 Mayoral Term.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council make appointments to committees as outlined in this report.

RESOLUTION Moved Cr Wrigglesworth, seconded Cr Hoskin. That the recommendation be adopted.

CARRIED

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Policy Context

Involvement with committees provides Councillors with an opportunity for community engagement. Advisory committees to Council also have the opportunity to provide input into the strategic direction of the Council and guidance to staff working on Council initiatives.


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Report

COUNCILLOR COMMITTEES 2016/2017

Committee Representative/s

Audit Committee Crs George Flack and Margaret O'Rourke

Bendigo Art Gallery Board Cr Matt Emond

Bendigo Chinese Association Museum Inc Cr George Flack

Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee Cr Jennifer Alden

Bendigo Stadium Board Limited Cr James Williams

Bendigo Tourism Board Incorporated Cr Yvonne Wrigglesworth

Bendigo Trust (Bendigo Heritage Attractions) Cr Julie Hoskin

Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance Cr Jennifer Alden

Finance Committee

Committee of the Whole Council

Goldfields Library Corporation Board Cr Rod Fyffe

Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Group Mr Barry Lyons (appointed until April 2017)

Cr Andrea Metcalf (at the conclusion of Mr Barry Lyons' appointment in April 2017)

Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee

Cr Matt Emond

Municipal Fire Management Committee Cr George Flack


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11. COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR 2016/2017 MAYORAL TERM


Author Peter Davies Manager Executive Services


Purpose

The purpose of this report is to put forward proposed Council Meeting dates for the 2016/17 Mayoral term.

Summary

It is proposed that the following Ordinary Council Meeting dates for December 2016 and for 2017 (to 15 November 2017) be adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Ordinary Meeting of Council dates for December 2016 and for 2017 (to 15 November 2017) as detailed in this report be confirmed and advertised.

RESOLUTION Moved Cr Fyffe, seconded Cr Williams. That the recommendation be adopted.

CARRIED

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Policy Context

Council demonstrates leadership in its decision to meet future needs and challenges.


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Report

It is proposed that the following Ordinary Council Meeting dates for December 2016 and for 2017 (to 15 November 2017) be adopted. The dates are based on Council Meetings being held on the third Wednesday of every month at 6.00pm at the Bendigo Town Hall. The only exception is the December meeting due to limited time being available to implement Council decisions prior to Christmas. The consistent monthly meeting day and time is considered by the 2016/2020 Council to have a number of advantages:

More certainty for the community and all other interested parties;

The opportunity to circulate meeting agendas to the community earlier;

Increased opportunities to meet with the community between formal Council meetings.

The new meeting cycle is considered a trial for this Mayoral term. In conjunction with the formal meeting cycle, Council will explore opportunities to better engage rural communities. 2016 14 December 2017 18 January 15 February 15 March 19 April 17 May 21 June 19 July 16 August 20 September 18 October 15 November


Nil

Attachments

Nil


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12. CLOSE OF MEETING

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8:05 pm.

Confirmed: 14 December 2016 Chairman

MINUTES Special Meeting of Council...Special Meeting - 15 November 2016 PAGE 7 Policy Context...

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