21-09-2022
Apologies
Apology was received from Colleen Worthy, General Manager.
Minute’s silence
A minute’s silence was observed for the passing of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.
Mayoral Minute
Council received and noted the activities attended by the Mayor in the period since the last Monthly Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Election of Deputy Mayor
Andrew Croke, Director of Finance and Administration as Returning Officer called for nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor for Upper Lachlan Shire Council for the period 21 September 2022 to 21 September 2023. There were two (2) nominations for Deputy Mayor. Cr P Culhane and Cr M McDonald.
Council determined the method of election of Deputy Mayor being by ordinary ballot and conducted an election. The returning officer declared Councillor Mandy McDonald elected as Deputy Mayor until 21 September 2023.
Green Devils premierships
Mayor Kensit congratulated both Junior and Senior Crookwell Green Devils Rugby League teams on their excellent seasons and competition wins. A special mention to Lachlan Croker, Manly Sea Eagles on his best and fairest award during his NRL season.
Reports received and noted
- Development Statistics Report
- Works in Progress – Construction & Maintenance
- Investments for the month of August 2022
- Bank Balance and Reconciliation – August 2022
- Rates and Charges Outstanding for the month of August
- Action Summary – Council Decisions
- Grants Report
- Tourism Report – Updates
Policies that were reviewed and adopted
- Companion Animal Management Plan Policy
- Priority Weeds Policy
- Payment of Expenses and Provision of Facilities Policy
- Disclosure of Interests at Meetings Policy
- Questions with Notice Policy
- Service Recognition Policy
Budget Revotes to Carry Forward to Internal Restricted Reserve
Council approved the 2021/2022 transfers to the Council internal restricted reserve fund totalling $5,148,883 including revote of uncompleted capital works expenditure projects and internal reserve funds movements.
Accounting position on RFS Fire-Fighting Assets
Council resolved that:
1. A letter be sent to the Treasurer the Hon. Matt Kean MP, Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, the Hon. Stephanie Cook MP and the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Wendy Tuckerman MP:
a. Expressing Council’s objection to the NSW Government’s determination on ownership of Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighting assets.
b. Inform the NSW Government that Council cannot recognise and record RFS fire-fighting assets in Council’s 2021/2022 Financial Statements for the reasons outlined in Council’s accounting position paper.
c. Call on the NSW Government to take immediate action to permanently clear up inequities and inconsistencies around the accounting treatment of Rural Fire Service (RFS) assets by acknowledging that rural firefighting equipment is vested in, under the control of and the property of the RFS.
d. Amend Section 119, of the Rural Fires Act 1997, so that the effect is to make it clear that RFS assets are not the property of Council.
2. The Auditor General be advised that Council cannot recognise the RFS fire-fighting assets in Council’s 2021/2022 Financial Statements, for the reasons outlined in Council’s accounting position paper. Also, noting that the NSW Government’s own Local Government Accounting Code of Practice and Financial Reporting Guidelines provides for councils to determine whether or not they record the RFS assets.
3. Council re-affirms its complete support of and commitment to local RFS brigades and RFS volunteers noting that Council’s action is entirely directed towards the NSW Government’s accounting position on RFS fire-fighting equipment assets.
4. Council affirms its support to Local Government NSW (LGNSW) for advocating on Council’s behalf to get clarification from the NSW Government on the accounting treatment of RFS assets.
Disclosures of Interest by Councillors and Designated persons under Clause 4.21 of the Council Code of Conduct
Council notes the tabling of the Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest Returns by Councillors and Designated Persons for reporting period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
Council Meeting Times
Ordinary Council Meetings are to be held on the third Thursday of each month (with the exception of January 2023 meeting) at Crookwell Council Chambers and/or remotely by webcast with all council meetings to commence at 1:30pm, as per the following schedule of meeting times and dates:-
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 20 October 2022 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 17 November 2022 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 15 December 2022 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 16 February 2023 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 16 March 2023 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 20 April 2023 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 18 May 2023 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 15 June 2023 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 20 July 2023 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 17 August 2023 commencing at 1:30pm.
- Ordinary Council Meeting to be held at Crookwell on Thursday, 21 September 2023 commencing at 1:30pm.
Reports from Committees for the month of September 2022
- Breadalbane Hall S355 Committee Meeting Minutes – 21 August 2022.
CLOSED SESSION CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS
Lin Cooper Sports Amenities and Change Rooms Tender negotiations
Council resolved to discontinue the tender process with respect to construction of Lin Cooper Sports Amenities and Change Rooms in Crookwell.
Council General Manager Colleen Worthy was delegated authority to enter into direct commercial negotiations with Marathon Modular Pty Ltd (the top ranked tenderer) with the intent to enter a contract for construction of Lin Cooper Sports Amenities and Change Rooms in Crookwell.
In the event direct negotiations are not successfully concluded and a contract is not agreed to with Marathon Modular Pty Ltd, the Council General Manager may enter direct negotiations with other suitable tenderers or alternatively seek to retender the Lin Cooper Sports Amenities and Change Rooms project.
The Meeting closed at 3:09 PM. Next meeting to be held on 20 October, 2022.