At the April Ordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday 26 April, Councillors discussed items outlined in the agenda such as endorsing the 20 year Community Strategic Plan for the Kempsey Shire, the 2022-23 budget and capital works program as well as a rate variation to reduce future operating deficits.
What you want to see by 2042
The Community Strategic Plan 2042: Your Future was officially endorsed by Council, outlining the needs, values and expectations of the community for the next 20 years.
Residents were asked over a two year engagement period to discuss their vision for the future to help develop the plan, forming the following vision statement unique to the Kempsey Shire.
From the mountains to the sea, our people are given the opportunities and infrastructure to build a safe, welcoming and sustainable community. Marrungbu.
Are we spending enough money in the right areas?
Council agreed to place the draft 2022-23 Operational Plan on exhibition for community feedback. This document is essentially Council's equivalent to the federal budget and includes a massive $91 million planned in capital works expenditure.
Along with the 2022-23 budget, Council moved to also place accompanying documents, such as the Long Term Financial Plan and Fees and Charges, making up the Integrated Planning and Reporting suite on exhibition. These are available for comment until 24 May 2022 at ksc.pub/op22-23.
Council to seek approval for rate rise
Council agreed to apply for an Additional Special Rate Variation to avoid having to reduce its services or proposed works program for the coming financial year.
This comes after it was announced that the allowable rates increase for the 2022-23 financial year would be just 0.8% rather than the budgeted 2%. 0.8% does not adequately consider variables such as rising inflation, increasing cost of materials, Local Government Award increases and demand for Council services.
The outcome of the application will be formally advised before 21 June 2022, with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal making all submissions available on its website for public comment throughout May.
For a full outline of the meeting and the discussion points, please head to ksc.pub/council-meeting
