Considering an organisational restructure and ensuring procurement activities are sustainable are included in the items on the agenda for Council's meeting in March.
The ordinary meeting will be held in Council Chambers from 9am on Tuesday 21 March.
You can view the March agenda and business papers at Council meeting agendas & minutes.
You can register to speak to Councillors at the Public Forum on Monday 20 March. The meeting is only held if there are registered speakers.
The meeting will be live-streamed via Council's YouTube page and on the Kempsey Shire Council website.
A new organisation structure for Council
An important recommendation has been made to Council regarding the organisation structure to ensure efficient and effective operations in the future.
Currently, Council operates with a two directorate structure, consisting of Corporate and Commercial, and Operations and Planning. Waste Operations is serviced by Corporate and Commercial, and Water and Sewer is serviced in Operations and Planning.
The proposed new structure will establish a third directorate called Utilities, which will include Waste and Water and Sewer operations. This proposal is being made for several reasons, including the Water and Sewer capital program, which involves projects totalling around $270 million to be completed over the next five years.
Additionally, providing sustainable waste services to the community is a significant challenge that requires executive focus and appropriate resourcing, especially considering current landfill site expenditure, the need for a circular economy, and regional waste solutions.
Maintaining the current structures risks burnout and turnover, inadequate direction and support for staff within each directorate. These issues could result in failing to meet all compliance and reporting requirements, potentially leading to fines, and delays in project delivery.
Council's recently completed employee engagement survey indicated an overall wellbeing score of 58%, 4% below the industry average. The score was particularly low among Council's senior leaders, providing further evidence to the identified risks.
Sustainable Procureent and Contracts Policy
Council has reviewed its policy around procurement and contracts.
The new Sustainable Procurement and Contracts Policy is to ensure that Council's procurement activities are conducted in a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable manner while complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
More broadly, the policy establishes guidelines and principles for sustainable procurement practicesthat consider the environmental impact of products and services, ensure fair and ethical labour practices, support local businesses, and minimise waste.
Council is being asked to consider if the updated policy is suitable for adoption.
Order of Business considered in open session
9.1. Local Traffic Committee Meeting
10.1. Organisation Structure
10.2. Sustainable Procurement and Contracts Policy
10.3. Statement of Cash and Investments - February 2023
11.1. Publication of DA Submissions
