For more information and appendices for each item, view the Council Meeting Agenda above.
The below summary is unconfirmed until the Minutes of the May Meeting are accepted by Council.
1. Opening Prayer & Original Custodians Statement
2. Apologies
None
3. Confirmation of Minutes
That the Minutes of the Scheduled Meeting of Council held on 3 April 2023 be confirmed and that an Amendment to the Minutes of the Scheduled Council Meeting held on 1 August 2022 Item 7.8 Warrnambool Art Gallery to record Crs Arnott, Taylor, Jellie and Akoch voting for the motion and Crs Blain, Ziegeler and Paspaliaris voting against the motion. (7-0).
4. Declaration by Councillors and Officers of any Conflict of Interest in any Item on the Agenda
None
5. Mayoral Presentation
6. Public Question Time
7.1. LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSPECTORATE LETTER
This report provides information on the progress in achieving the Activities & Initiatives (A&Is) set down for 2022-2023 as part of the Council Plan and Budget process. This report provides Council and the community with an update in the progress of actions across Councils' functional areas.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
That the Activities & Initiatives 2022 – 2023: January – March (Quarter 3), be received.
7.2. MARCH 2023 MONTHLY FINANCE REPORT
This quarterly finance report compares actual financial results to budget and forecast for the 9 months from 1 July 2022 to 31 March 2023 - refer Attachment 1 Quarterly Finance Report.
The report sets out financial results for Council’s recurrent (day-to-day) operations, projects, capital works, rates and borrowings.
Overall, the actual results indicate an unfavourable financial position of ($0.36m) compared to the YTD forecast. An updated forecast was completed in March resulting in a favourable full year forecast position of $1.629m. The net impact was a favourable increase to the full year's forecast of $1.665m, mainly resulting from savings in salaries due to vacancies, increased\revenue at Holiday Parks and Flagstaff Hill, higher interest on investments and supplementary rates.
This report meets the requirements of section 97 of the Local Government Act 2020 to present a quarterly financial report to Council at a public meeting that compares actual results against budget.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That the Quarterly Financial Report for the period January to March 2023 be received.
7.3. DRAFT BUDGET 2023-24
The Local Government Act 2020 states that Council must prepare and adopt a budget each financial year being for the next 4 financial years (s.94), and that the budget must be developed in line with Council’s community engagement policy (s.96).
Council’s Draft 2023-24 Draft Budget is informed by the vision and objectives of the Warrnambool City Council Council Plan, with the vision to be a thriving city at the heart of coast and country.
The 2023-24 Draft Budget directs the allocation of Council’s resources to best achieve the outcomes of the Council Plan.
In line with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020 and the Local Government (Planning & Reporting) Regulations 2020, the 2023-24 Draft Budget has been prepared according to best practice principles and include financial statements, services and initiatives data, rating and borrowings data, and fees and charges tables for the next four years, with particular emphasis on the next financial year.
Public notice of the draft budget will be released online and through local media following approval by council, and copies of the document will be made available online and in hardcopy at Council’s service centre. Public submissions will be invited for a period of 28 days.
Members of the public making submissions to the budget will be able to do so either via a portal on Council’s website, or in writing. Submitters wishing to be heard will be invited to attend Council’s formal meeting of June 5, 2023 to speak in support of their submission.
The final budget for 2023-24 is planned to be presented to Council for adoption on Monday, 26 June 2023.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
1. Endorse the 2023-24 Draft Budget to proceed to public exhibition, and invite public submissions in accordance with section 55 of the Local Government Act 2020.
2. Authorise the Director Corporate Strategies to give public notice in accordance with section 94 of the Local Government Act 2020 of Council’s intention to adopt, at a Council meeting proposed to be held at 5:45pm on Monday 26 June 2023, the 2023-24 Warrnambool City Council Budget.
3. In accordance with Council’s Community engagement policy, consider, and if requested in writing, hear any submissions received in relation to the 2023-24 Draft Budget at its formal meeting on Monday June 5, 2023.
7.4 COUNCIL PLAN 2021 - 2025 (2023 REVIEW) - ACTIVITIES & INITIATIVES
Section 90 of the Local Government Act (2020) requires Council to prepare and approve a Council Plan by October 31 following a general election.
The Council Plan, reviewed annually, is the feature document in Council’s suite of strategic planning documents, formulated to guide the work for which Council has responsibility and will provide to our community over a four-year period.
The annual review ensures that the plan remains relevant and delivers on the objectives identified in the plan and in the long-term community vision, Warrnambool 2040.
The Council Plan lists key activities and initiatives Council will undertake over the financial year to deliver on the five objectives described in the plan. These actions and initiatives demonstrate to the community important areas of effort in the delivery of the plan’s key objectives.
These objectives are:
1. COMMUNITY: To be a healthy, inclusive, and thriving community with equitable access to services, cultural opportunities and recreational activities.
2. ENVIRONMENT: To protect and strengthen local ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and enable sustainable communities.
3. ECONOMY: Support a resilient local and self-sustaining regional economy that encourages economic growth and provides increased employment opportunities attracting ongoing investment.
4. PLACE: Provide quality places that all people value and want to live, work, play and learn in.
5. COUNCIL: To be recognised as a collaborative Council and a high-performing organisation that enables positive outcomes for Warrnambool's community, environment and economy and Victoria's South West.
Over recent weeks Council staff have reviewed and updated the activities and initiatives contained in the Council Plan.
A number of actions are no longer relevant such as those relating to capital works projects that are now completed. Other actions have been removed or revised in response to the community’s needs.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That Council endorses the revised actions and initiatives in the Council Plan 2021-2025 and releases the revised plan for community feedback.
7.5 ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP OF COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEES
This report considers additional community membership appointments to Council’s four Advisory committees - the Community & International Relations Advisory Committee, Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee, Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee and the Planning Advisory Committee.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That the following community member appointments be made to the Council Advisory
Committees for the period 1 May 2023 – 31 May 2025:
Community & international Relations Advisory Committee:-
- Daisy Ye
- Cameron Burgess
- Carly Jordan
Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee:-
- Sarah Fitzgibbon
- Zita Tattersall
- Rod Brugman
Environment & Sustainability Advisory Committee:-
- Juan Donis
- Andrew Schultz
- Danielle Rizzo
Planning Advisory Committee:-
- Willy Benter
- Kerri-Anne Tatchell
- Cameron McNeill
7.6 15 MCKIERNAN ROAD - PP2022-0197
Council has received an application to develop the land known as 15 McKiernan Road, Warrnambool with two double-storey dwellings.
The application triggers a planning permit under the zone for the construction of two or more dwellings on a lot. It is noted that the use ‘dwelling’ does not require a permit in this zone.
The application was subject to internal referrals, and was subject to public notice.
As a result of notification, five objections were received, where grounds related primarily to impact on drainage within the area as well as overshadowing of habitable room windows and areas of secluded private open space.
The application and concerns raised by objectors have been considered against all of the relevant provisions of the Warrnambool Planning Scheme and it has been deemed that on balance the application warrants support, where the Officer’s recommendation is approval subject to conditions.
If the application is supported, a Notice of Decision would be required as all objections have been sustained.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That Council, having caused notice of Planning Application No. PP2022-0197 to be given under Section 52 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and or the planning scheme and having considered all the matters required under Section 60 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 decides to determine to issue a Notice of Decision for application PP2022-0197 under the provisions of the Warrnambool Planning Scheme in respect of the land known and described as ALLOT Lot 9 PS 209862 PSH WAN TSH WARR, 15 McKiernan Rd WARRNAMBOOL VIC 3280, for the Construction of two (2) dwellings in accordance with the endorsed plans, subject to conditions.
7.7 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND 2022/23
Council allocated $100,000 to the Community Development Fund (CDF) 2022/23 with $40,000 rolled over as uncommitted from the 2021/2022 round. The guidelines were not altered from 2021/2022. Under the guidelines eligible community groups and clubs could submit applications for grants of up to $5,000 without a requirement to meet a funding ratio.
Funding was available for not-for-profit organisations based in Warrnambool to fund projects, equipment and activities which meet the grant program eligibility and criteria and contribute to participation, club capacity and sustainability and the livability of the City.
Based on the total funding pool available ($140,000), the following allocations were aligned to each category, noting that the Event Category was managed as a separate grant round for 2022/23. If the total pool of the funding in each category was not expended, then any remaining to be redirected to other categories where applications exceeded the funding pool.
- Sport and Recreation $60,000
- Culture and Arts $50,000
- Environment & Sustainability $30,000
Applicants had to demonstrate an alignment with one of the listed grant categories and criteria and were assessed based on weighted criteria within the category. Refer 2022/23 CDF guidelines Attachment 1.
Applicants were also required to submit an audited financial statement or current bank statement to assist in determining their capacity to complete the project and their need for assistance.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
That Council:
1. Approves the allocation of $110,036 to fund 29 community clubs and organisations under the Community Development Fund 2022/23 program.
2. Requests that all applicants be advised of the outcome of the assessment process and where applicable, Council guidelines associated with the grant.
7.8 INFORMAL MEETINGS OF COUNCIL REPORTS
Section 80A(2) of the Local Government Act 1989 required the record of an Assembly of Councillors to be reported at an ordinary Council meeting.
Assembly of Councillor Records are no longer a requirement in the Local Government Act 2020 as of 24 October 2020. However, under Council’s Governance Rules, a summary of the matters discussed at the meeting are required to be tabled at the next convenient Council meeting and recorded in the minutes of that Council meeting.
The record of the following Informal Meetings of Council are enclosed:-
Tuesday 11 April 2023 – refer Attachment 1
Monday 17 April 2023 – refer Attachment 2
Monday 24 April 2023 – refer Attachment 3
Council received the report (7-0).
7.9 ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORTS
This report contains the record of one Advisory Committee Meeting.
Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee – 17 March 2023 – refer Attachment 1.
Council received the report (7-0).
7.10 MAYORAL & CHIEF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ACTIVITIES – SUMMARY REPORT
Council received the report (7-0).
8. Notice of Motion
9. General Business
10. Urgent Business
11. Resolution to Close Meeting
12. Section 66 (in-camera)