November Business Paper
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Gunnedah Shire Council Annual Report 2017/18 For further informaƟon Gunnedah Shire Council PO Box 63 GUNNEDAH NSW 2380 Telephone: 02 6740 2100 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au Adopted TBA Cover Photograph: Gunnedah Shire Council Resoluon TBA Sewerage Treatment Plant completed in 2017/18 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY In presenng this document to the community, Gunnedah Shire Council would like to acknowledge the Kamilaroi Aboriginal Naon as the tradional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and in doing so, Council pays its respect to all Elders past and present as well as to the young Indigenous leaders of tomorrow. CONTENTS Page No Message from the Mayor and General Manager ...................................................................................................... 4 What is the Annual Report ..................................................................................................................................... 11 About Gunnedah ................................................................................................................................................... 11 How to Read the Annual Report ............................................................................................................................. 11 Our Elected Members ............................................................................................................................................ 12 Income and Expenditure ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Key Achievements 2017/18 .................................................................................................................................... 14 Statutory Information ............................................................................................................................................ 34 Rates and Charges Written Off ........................................................................................................................... 34 Overseas Visits .................................................................................................................................................... 34 Councillor Expenses ............................................................................................................................................ 34 Contracts ............................................................................................................................................................ 35 Legal Proceedings ............................................................................................................................................... 36 Subsidised Work on Private Property ................................................................................................................. 36 Community Grants .............................................................................................................................................. 36 Functions Delegated to Other Organisations ..................................................................................................... 36 Companies Controlled by Council ....................................................................................................................... 36 Partnerships with Other Organisations .............................................................................................................. 36 Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan .......................................................................................... 37 Remuneration Package – General Manager ....................................................................................................... 39 Remuneration Package – Senior Staff ................................................................................................................ 39 Stormwater Management Services .................................................................................................................... 39 Environmental Upgrade Agreements ................................................................................................................. 39 Special Rate Variation ......................................................................................................................................... 39 Capital Works Report .......................................................................................................................................... 42 Companion Animal Management ....................................................................................................................... 43 Planning Agreements .......................................................................................................................................... 44 Private Swimming Pools ..................................................................................................................................... 45 Carers Recognition .............................................................................................................................................. 45 Disability Inclusion .............................................................................................................................................. 45 Conditions of Assets ........................................................................................................................................... 45 Financial Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 47 Privacy and Personal Information Protection ..................................................................................................... 51 Annexure 1 – Government Information (Public Access) Act 2017/18 Annual Report ............................................... 53 Annexure 2 – Public Interest Disclosures 2017/18 Annual Report ........................................................................... 59 Annexure 3 – Financial Statements 2017/18 ......................................................................................................... TBA Gunnedah Shire Council 2017/18 Annual Report Page 3 of 60 INTRODUCTION Message from the Mayor and General Manager We are pleased to present the 2017/18 Annual Report for Gunnedah Shire Council which outlines Council’s numerous achievements in what has been an extremely busy yet rewarding year for Council and the Community. The considerable progress made against outcomes contained in the Community Strategic Plan is outlined in this report, under each of the four themes: Engaging and Supporting the Community; Building Our Shire’s Economy; Retaining our Quality of Life; and Enjoying our Beautiful Surrounds. Council has maintained its dedication to realising those outcomes and the vision agreed with the Community. This has delivered significant achievements over the last year, and the foundation for many to come. A few highlights of those achievements detailed are included below under the following headings: 1. A number of key matters determined by Council under the themes of the Community Strategic Plan; 2. Major projects under way or funded during the period; 3. Key demographic changes in unemployment, gross regional product and population; 4. Development activity; 5. Progress against identified unfunded priorities; 6. Grant funding achieved and applications pending; and 7. Financial Performance of Gunnedah Shire Council. 1. Highlights of matters determined by Council Engagement and Supporting the Community During the last 12 months Council has engaged and supported the Community through a number of areas, including but not limited to the following: . Policy development and review – Council has resolved on a significant range of policy matters demonstrating its commitment to strategic focus and sound governance; . Donations to Community Groups through a range of programs and response to requests for assistance, totalling in excess of $195,000 over the last two years; . Advocacy and leadership through: o the taking on of leadership positions within local, regional and peak industry bodies; o submissions to State and Federal Government and other key institutions on matters significant to our Community; o development of strategies for our Local Government Area; o harmonisation of water supply charges across the Shire; o donation of hay bales from the airport; o active participation in local government peak bodies and Namoi Unlimited; o lobbying with fellow councils in achieving greater funding for our local library; o supporting the lead of individuals like Judith Law in taking a stand against drugs; o continuing the holding of Council meetings in our villages; o identifying strategic land acquisition needs and acting on those; o supporting key events such as the CMCA Rally and eIMEx; o Pursuing and establishing Sister City Relationships which aid cultural and economic prosperity for our Community; o Strengthening our investment in Economic Development and resourcing of this key area as identified by the Councillors in early strategic planning sessions, whilst still achieving fantastic financial performance outcomes for the Council; and o the implementation of key governance measures such a Project Progress Reporting, the Audit Committee and Internal Audit Program; Gunnedah Shire Council 2017/18 Annual Report